Drug researchers say the collapsing price of methamphetamine has concerning implications

The New Zealand Drug Trends Survey reveals the price of a gram fell to about 334 dollars last year - compared to 563 dollars in 2017.

Adjusted for inflation, the drug's costing less than half what it was eight years ago.

SHORE & Whariki Research Centre lead, Chris Wilkins, says meth used to be a top-end drug but now almost competes with cannabis.

He says it means meth is more accessible to a wider group of people - ultimately creating more social harm.