2 Sep 2009

UN urges NZ to do more to stop drug trafficking

8:58 pm on 2 September 2009

A new study by the United Nations urges New Zealand to do more to stop drug trafficking in the region.

The report Palermo in the Pacific, says governments around the Pacific Rim are making little headway against the organised crime syndicates behind the trade.

Author Andreas Schloenhardt says New Zealand is both a transit point and a destination for illicit drugs.

He says New Zealand's laws are failing because they don't deal with the root problem of how lucrative the drug trade has become.

He says new measures are needed to reduce the demand for drugs.

The Police Association says the police do not have the power to attack drug traffickers.