Meth: the shameful drug addicts don't seek help for

In New Zealand, it’s estimated there are about 40,000 regular or semi-regular meth users, but because it has such a stigma it’s hard to get a good gauge on numbers.


And that stigma contributes to the fact users will wait between five and 10 years to admit they have a problem, and seek help.

Source 

What does that mean for you as a property owner, potential purchaser or renter? It means that there may be undisclosed and hidden contamination within the property you are looking at. 

Meth is one of those "invisible damages" that you don't see in a property. Mould, leaks, asbestos and other invisible contaminants are often only looked for once a "sign" has been seen. 

Meth manufacture or use signs can be physical, such as staining or corrosion. They can be social, such as a neighbour noticing closed off curtains, or taped up tarpaulins, or a funny smell. But more often than not, there are no signs and the meth use is hidden. 

And methamphetamine has one of the worst stigmas of all the drugs of choice (not that meth is often a choice).  Meth users in movies are tweakers, junkies, thieves and violent, with no thought for the consequences of their actions. And sadly, in this instance, art imitates life. 

Our clients tell us stories of how their sons or daughters or even husbands or wives stole from them, took money from them, sold their belongings, pawned jewellery, sold the family pets even, just to get their next hit. 

The drug is insidious, horrifying, soul destroying and above all, it's downright evil. 

It makes those who are addicted do evil acts to those around them as they "chase" their next fix, their next hit of the drug. 

Worse still, it can be weeks or even years until a loved one recognises that the user is addicted since they tend to hide their addition due to the stigma attached to it. 

One of our clients had a husband who used to smoke meth in his gym room at home. I say "had" a husband because he lied and stole his way through their savings as his addiction grew and grew.  He used meth whilst working out in the gym room at home and when she eventually found out, it was too late to save their marriage, and their future. 

When we tested the property, we found levels far in excess of the limit in the gym room and the contamination has spread by way of gas expansion throughout the property. They had kids in the house too. 

This is a sad tale repeated with different actors and scripts all over our nation right now, and it's only getting worse. 

Open conversation and community can help reduce the stigma and fears associated with meth addiction, but it always requires someone to take the first step towards recovery.

And that first step is often the hardest one. 

---