Meth users add pressure to busy emergency departments during lockdown

People high on methamphetamine are turning up at emergency departments during lockdown, adding to the pressure on hospitals, Stuff reports. Alcohol and drug users were an unnecessary burden on the system, and Auckland’s emergency departments were seeing a “relatively high” number of presentations, emergency department physician John Bonning said. “In the last lockdown the police had a bit of control over the meth supply. I don’t think they have this time…” He also noted people suffering with mental illness need more support.