More police are needed on the front line to combat a P epidemic says Napier MP and Labour's police spokesman Stuart Nash, but police say all of them are fighting the scourge and helping those it affects.
Police Minister Judith Collins' response to written questions from Mr Nash said the number of sworn police officers nationally whose primary role was investigating drug crime dropped from 178 in 2012/2013 to 166 in 2015/2016. At the same time the amount of meth seized went from 6,096 grams in 2012 to 50,218 grams in 2015.
"The price of meth has dropped, the quantity available has increased and the cost to our communities and society is mounting yet the numbers of police dedicated to investigating drug crime has fallen," he said.
It was putting the safety of police and the community at greater risk, he said.
"The police in Hawke's Bay tell me that there is a real P epidemic out there and yet with only five staff covering Gisborne, Napier and Hastings, it makes it difficult to fight this on even terms.
"If the Prime Minister and Minister of Police are serious in their efforts to stamp out this scourge, then they need to start walking the walk as opposed to simply reverting to tough words. We need more police on the front line now."
Eastern District commander Sandra Venables said it was incorrect to say that there were only five police officers working on drug offending.