Opinion: We all have role in fighting P blight

"If one of your loved ones is addicted, don't wipe your hands of them. I don't think tough love works with this stuff. They need love, support and help from professionals."

According to the Sensible Sentencing Trust, our police are struggling to deal with a worsening "P epidemic".

The trust claims New Zealanders are among the highest users of methamphetamine in the world, alongside Australia and parts of Southeast Asia.

That is scary and I fear it's true. Not so many years ago a violent crime was big news - these days it is almost a daily occurrence.

So why have we turned into a violent nation? What makes someone go from being a nice person to a nasty person? I can't believe all those criminals filling our jails were born bad.

In defending the claim that Kaitaia, a small town in the Far North, was the murder capital of the world, Mana Party leader Hone Harawira might just have the answer to those questions.

He says P changes people.

"It takes them away from being your family member, cousin or neighbour and turns them into a predator, a mean and nasty person."

So true. This dangerous and addictive drug alters people and it's taking hold of our young ones and turning them into violent addicts. It actually alters your brain, hence the change in personality.

What can we do about it?

That's the $6 million question, isn't it?

It's not up to just the police to try to stop the impact of this drug on our society. We must all do our part.

If one of your loved ones is addicted, don't wipe your hands of them. I don't think tough love works with this stuff. They need love, support and help from professionals.

It's up to family and friends to keep nagging them to get help, because if the ones who love them the most don't help, there's little hope for them.