P use in workplace a reality, expert says

Methamphetamine or P in the workplace is a reality.

That was the message from a former police officer and now private drug dog handler at a health and safety conference in Invercargill yesterday.

Almost 60 professionals from throughout New Zealand are attending the two-day National District Health Board's health and safety conference at Ascot Park Hotel, in Invercargill, which finishes this afternoon.

Hosted by the Southland District Health Board, the event has had various guest speakers, including Auckland-based drug and explosive detection specialist Paul Thomas.

Mr Thomas is a former police dog handler but is now managing director of Elite Dog Services - the first private company in New Zealand to use drug detector dogs in the workplace.

"P coming on to the market has been great for business, I must admit," Mr Thomas said.

Southland was no exception to the issues associated with P Gangs such as the Mongrel Mob had not moved to Southland for any reason other than to expand its drug-dealing market share, he said.

"These people are running a multi million-dollar business."

P labs could be set up almost anywhere, including in cars in staff carparks, offices and cupboards.

"If you think you don't have a drug problem in the workplace, then you're naive." Workplaces needed to look for signs of drug use and act on anything suspicious by contacting police, he said.