Study suggests most people using drugs when arrested

A police survey suggests that almost three-quarters of people arrested were using illegal drugs at the time.

The one-year pilot survey involved 965 people who were voluntarily interviewed after being arrested in Whangarei, Henderson, Hamilton and Dunedin.

They provided 557 urine samples, of which 406, or 73 per cent, tested positive for one or more illegal drug, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Alcohol was found in 37.2 per cent of cases.

The survey also indicated that New Zealanders tried cannabis and heroin earlier in their teens than Australians.

The figures come from the New Zealand Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring study, which is due to be released today.

Cannabis was the most commonly detected illegal drug at arrest, being found in 68.6 per cent of samples, while methamphetamine appeared in 12 per cent.

A fifth of those who used cannabis said they drove "all or most" of the time under the influence of the drug.

About the same proportion of methamphetamine users admitted to doing most of their driving while under the influence.

The survey also showed that 39 per cent of respondents were dependent on a drug.

Acting police assistant commissioner for strategy and policy performance Paula Rose said that percentage was a concern, as those people were already the more vulnerable members of society.

National Drug Intelligence Bureau co-ordinator Mick Alexander said the study highlighted the need for earlier intervention and education in schools.

- NZPA