The Drug Foundation has applauded the leadership of a school for giving students notes on how to safely use methamphetamine.
Photo: Wikipedia
A new study out today said New Zealand was 'awash' with the drug, and it was so cheap and easy to get that it was now more available than cannabis.
Read Broken Bad, RNZ's in-depth look at NZ's methamphetamine problem here
Massey High School has been under fire for giving senior students a booklet including safety notes provided by the Drug Foundation for users of meth as part of an assignment.
Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell told Morning Report the information taught senior students about harm reduction.
"It could well be that 17- and 18-year-olds in New Zealand are living in households where their parents are using," he said.
"The way the school has described it, it was for a very senior class ... and they were looking at complex health issues," - Ross Bell
Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell Photo: RNZ Insight/Teresa Cowie
He said it was not condoning the use of meth and was not likely to encourage it.
"Particularly when the booklet also talks about the significant chaos that meth can cause, and how to look after yourself and how to look after your loved one," he said.
"And so if they are getting equipped with this kind of information that helps them better understand the nature and the harms of meth then I think that is a good thing.
He said it was not a drug education class and the use of the information was appropriate.
"The teacher in that class has put a whole programme of information around them.
"Let's not forget that next year these young New Zealanders are going to be going into a society where methamphetamine is a huge problem.
"I think this school, the board and the principal, have shown great leadership on this.
"This is the kind of school that I would want my teenagers to go to."