Stars ask 'who's next' after drugs bust

Within hours of revelations that two celebrity sportsmen had become ensnared in an Auckland drugs scandal this week, the phones at swanky addresses started ringing hot.

A flash of horror had zapped through some of the country's best-known heads: was there a police bug in the room at the last party I went to?

Quite apart from the alleged involvement of the sportsmen, others who stand accused in the white-collar drug ring are well known.

Charlotte Dawson, for instance, in denying that she was involved, admitted that she moved in the same social circles as some who were.

Who else, celebrities asked, will be dragged into this mess?

Around the same time, another wave of calls, texts and emails began as more, well, ordinary people asked: who are the two sportsmen? And what are they doing caught up in a cocaine, Ecstasy, methamphetamine and cannabis bust?

The answer to the first question is impossible to answer here - name suppression orders cover all six men charged so far, and the names of the two celebrities alleged in court papers to have been involved too.

The answer to the second is that drugs are as much a part of high society as they are in other circles, so why should it be a surprise?

Massey University economist Dr Chris Wilkins said that in fact users of drugs such as methamphetamine and Ecstasy were more likely to be employed and earning money. Most were not down-and-outers.

"And you'd expect that, just because of the expense of Ecstasy at $80 a pill and amphetamine at $100 a point [0.1 gram]," he said. "You need some employment to sustain that."

From his studies, Dr Wilkins said that a large proportion of distribution happens within social circles - people provided drugs to friends, initially not even for profit.

Soon, their dealing grew as friends of friends started asking them for drugs.

"Because that happens quite exponentially, pretty quickly you can see your number of customers is increasing really, really quickly."

Studies in Britain of middle-level Ecstasy dealers found that they were quite bemused that people thought of them as drug-dealers.

"They still perceived themselves in the role of pretty much just providing drugs for friends and friends of friends," said Dr Wilkins.

For people at the higher end of the drug market, it was often the case that they were otherwise law-abiding citizens and they would not think of themselves as criminals.

Because they did not often come into contact with police, their rates of being caught for drug offences were generally lower - a point acknowledged by police.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Potaka, who oversees the National Drug Intelligence Bureau, said poorer people's drug crimes tended to get noticed more because they were being arrested for other offences.

While cocaine features in the charges against the men accused this week, Mr Potaka did not believe it was a huge problem in New Zealand.

In Britain, cocaine has become the drug of choice for the middle classes, who dub it "Charlie".

Speaking on his first day as Britain's top policeman, Sir Ian Blair said this year: "People are having dinner parties where they drink less wine and snort more cocaine."

He criticised them for wrongly believing it was "socially acceptable" to enjoy a "wrap of Charlie" at weekends.

Mr Potaka said that while cocaine seizures by Customs had risen dramatically, most of it was destined for Australia.

Price was a big factor in hindering its popularity. A gram of cocaine costs between $200 and $400.

Dr Wilkins said that "cocaine, even more than amphetamine and Ecstasy, is a rich person's drug in that it's really expensive to start out with but also the high only lasts 20 to 30 minutes and then you've got to go and get some more".

* "It's Not Me"

We asked readers whether they were being wrongly tarred with suspicion in the white-collar drug case. Some of their replies:

Just to let you know that neither Sharon O'Malley nor Brendan Ward are the drug users. BRENDAN WARD

I am writing to deny any accusations that may be levelled at me in the near future by your publication with regards to my part in the "Former Sports Star Drug Scandal".

As a former Hamilton Under 19 Rugby Representative (1995), I am probably considered somewhat of a sports star in New Zealand. However, injury cruelly curtailed my blossoming career. While I must admit to a love of partying and the occasional use of alcohol, I will deny with vigour any publication - whether it be print or online - of my name in connection with this court case. I have begun to establish a respectable career and any false accusations could damage this irrevocably. Thank you for your understanding, NICK SCHILOV

Please note that I am not and have not been involved in the current or any other drugs syndicate. GRAHAM COLLINGS

I wish to deny any complicity on my part in this affair. Any accusations made against me, implicating me in these events, will be strenuously denied if I read them in your paper at lunchtime in the office, after the HR girls have finished with it. I was never a sports star, and I have not fled any courthouses this week.

This statement has been vetted by my lawyer (who is primarily involved with conveyancing). My lawyer says he didn't do it either. TOM BARTON, (28), GREY LYNN.

I'd just like to inform you that I'm not guilty either ... KERRY WHARERAU