A claim that up to 30,000 tablets of the horror drug P were brought into Wairarapa during Golden Shears week in March has been made by National Party candidate John Hayes. Mr Hayes said yesterday he had been told of the influx of pure methamphetamine while he was accompanying the party'slaw and order spokesman Tony Ryall on his visit to Wairarapa. He said the information came from a professional person, whom he regarded as a "reliable source," but not from the police. He had been staggered to hear of the magnitude of the problem and one of his priorities was to work with parents to help them protect their children from drugs. With this in mind he has been "seeking views and ideas" on ways of helping to protect children from drugs " especially in schools." Mr Hayes said he was disappointed with a proposal put forward by the Greens to reform the law on cannabis use. "Any relaxation of the law will put more of our children at risk." Mr Hayes said until he was on the road with Mr Ryall and had been told about the drugs influx he had not realised the extent of the problem in Wairarapa. Another worrying sign, he said, was the number of very young people out on the streets late at night. "I do a lot of travelling around the electorate, which is a very big electorate and that often means driving home very late at night. "I continue to be bothered by the fact there are so many kids aged from what looks to be 9 to 16 out on the streets." Mr Hayes said the wandering kids are not restricted to Masterton and are also particularly noticeable in Carterton. He said he was sure the police were aware of the problem and were doing their job. "But I would like to see the Carterton police strengthened with the appointment of another policeman."
