By Chris Holden
Children as young as 13 are being recruited into organised drug syndicates in south Auckland, in some cases selling illicit substances from their bicycles.
A 17-year-old dealer, who wanted to be known as Robert, says he has sold everything from cannabis to methamphetamine and ecstasy.
"I started selling drugs at the age of 15 after a friend introduced me to a dealer while I was at a concert in Auckland," he said.
And he's not alone.
"I know kids in south Auckland as young as 13 who peddle drugs on bicycles."
Senior Sergeant Greg Clark of youth services at Police National Headquarters said police are aware of the issue.
"We are absolutely worried about children as young as 13 being involved in drug syndicates," Snr Sgt Clark said.
"The vulnerability of children when being used by gangs adds another dimension to this concern through potential harm, abuse, ill treatment and disconnect to their whanau."
Robert said the ease of supply is encouraging youth involvement in drug rings.
"I'm a 17-year-old schoolboy. If I can make one phone call and have methamphetamine delivered faster than Domino's can deliver a pizza, then go figure just how widespread drugs are."
This was backed up by another teenager, John, who said he could obtain drugs "in five minutes, easy".
Robert says for him, drug dealing is a lifestyle choice.
"I do it for the money and because I get invited to all the best parties."
He believes "being under the age of 17 reduces any consequences should we be caught by police".
Children aged 16 and under are not dealt with in adult courts for drug-related offences. The Government is currently considering whether to lift that age to 19.
Anastasia Meredith from Turn Your Life Around, an organisation which works with at-risk youth, said she is "aware and deeply concerned" about the number of youths involved in drug dealing syndicates.
"I have heard about it. We have young people that talk about it - sometimes when they don't know adults are listening," Ms Meredith said.
She believes "a lack of food and essentials" is a key factor driving kids into criminal offending.
Concerns about young dealers come amid fears New Zealand is in the midst of a second methamphetamine epidemic, with a report from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet showing the drug has become easier to get in the past year.
Two senior Black Power members recently said some chapters that had stopped making and using the drug had gone back to it, and huge supply means it's getting cheaper.
Teenagers on the streets of Otara confirmed the price of drugs has decreased and accessibility has increased.
Anyone looking for help can contact the Alcohol and Drug helpline on 0800 787 797.
Alternatively, any affected teenagers needing support can contact Turn Your Life Around on 09 271 6098.
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