P fear among shearing gangs

Fears of P abuse and violence on the job among some Wairarapa shearing gangs have led to a call for the drug screening of workers.
Police are investigating a recent incident in a Wairarapa shearing shed involving the alleged assault of a woman by a male fellow worker, who was believed to be in a "P rage". It is understood the man is to face charges arising from the incident.
The drug P, or pure methamphetamine crystals, has a potent effect on the central nervous system, leading to wakefulness, hyperactivity and increased energy.
The drug is most commonly smoked although it may be injected as a liquid, swallowed as a pill or snorted as a powder.
Abusers of P risk paranoia, psychosis and extreme mood swings, which may in turn lead to violence, violent offending such as serious assault and even homicide.
Masterton shearing contractor Chub Lett said he now employs 60 people and that abuse of P by some of his workers has been suspected since work on the main shear began in early December.
"P only reared its head in the last couple of months when main shear started. It's all been hearsay and I have no proof, but I have my suspicions. It's never been a problem before.
"Drug testing is the only way to really know, without any doubts. Gangs up north do it, and it looks like we'll have to start doing it too."
Mr Lett said there is "a real possibility" that two former workers from his gang had been smoking P at work, to satisfy an addiction or to boost their stamina and strength recovery.
"They just walked off the job. I never caught them at it, they're pretty cunning, but they could have been having a puff at lunchtime. It may be why they left. They just self-destructed.
"It might just be the transient guys with the drug hassles. Most of my jokers are good workers, married with families. I have some who have been with me for years, they're loyal to me and I trust them. They said these guys were on P."
Mr Lett said drug screening his workers "might mean I lose most of my gang", as he was aware some of his workers smoked cannabis when not on the job.
"Marijuana is out there. I know some of my guys smoke it after work, but I wouldn't want to penalise them, only those suspected of having a problem with P," he said.
John Hodder, a Wairarapa shearing contractor with 40 years of industry experience, said he blames a change in "the evolution of shearing patterns" where most workers now live in suburban areas and travel daily to their rural worksites.
Mr Hodder said there are few contractors that still "camp out with bigger gangs" shearing large flocks at stations a great distance from populated areas.
"We're running so many suburban gangs nowadays and our workforce is full of the young and old with no real education, who are easily influenced and misled," Mr Hodder said.
"A good farmer never puts infected stock back in with their main flock, but that seems to be the case with our workforce and drug addiction."
The use of P by shearing workers is also an industry "pattern shift" that Mr Hodder has suspected, though not witnessed first hand.
"It's something you hear about. I haven't really looked into it because I'm frightened I won't like what I see.
"There are no industry role models now for younger workers. Education seems to steer people away from hard physical work and we get the ones from the back of the classroom, who are easily led into using dangerous drugs of today, like P.
"I started shearing in 1964, the year after Brian Lochore joined the All Blacks. I worked with some heavy drinkers, you know ? 'I can work hard and I can play hard' ? but now I'm going to their funerals," he said.