The New Zealand drug authority has introduced a new standard in testing homes for methamphetamine contamination. The new standard downgraded the minimum limit of meth contamination in homes to 1.5g/100 square centimeter limit, as compared to the previous 0.5g/100cm2.
Many homeowners and tenants welcome the news as a positive one. According to Building and Construction Minister Dr. Nick Smith and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean, the new standard will make it easier for New Zealanders to better manage the risks of methamphetamine contaminations in the residential properties.
“The new standard is a huge step forward in helping homeowners and tenants deal with the risks of methamphetamine contamination. It will give people greater confidence and certainty, will result in hundreds of fewer properties having to be vacated and save millions in unnecessary decontamination work,” Smith reportedly said.
According to the minister, the most significant gain from the legislation is that people will have clearer standards in sampling and testing, and better guidelines for samplers and decontamination contractors. The new standards will result in a better understanding of the health risks of meth contamination.
The lowered standard is believed to save consumers millions in decontamination services. According to Consumer Minister Jacqui Dean, “These new standards are an important new addition to consumer protections. They will help clean up an industry that has had problems over inconsistent tests and excessive decontamination costs.”
“Standards New Zealand follows a robust process in developing all standards, in line with the Standards and Accreditation Act 2015. Twenty-one committee members from the public and private sector contributed to the development of the standard, by offering expertise on the methods and logistics of testing and decontamination of affected properties” she added.
Some residents believe that the millions saved from the new standard can instead be used by the government to create programs to eliminate methamphetamine addiction in the community. Some drug users have no choice but to treat the addiction themselves due to the high costs of decontamination and rehabilitation.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) of the United States, “Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug usually used as a white, bitter-tasting powder or a pill. It increases the amount of the natural chemical dopamine in the brain.”
Methamphetamine, more commonly known on the streets as crystal meth, is a psychostimulant drug. It has highly addictive properties and commonly found throughout the world. On average, a gram of it can cost the user $200.
Due to its addictive properties and high price, a lot of users resort to criminal activities to support their addiction. Some of these activities most often include theft, robbery, and sale of the drug itself; thus, causing a never ending cycle in a community.
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