Media Statement

Thursday 26 October 2006

Solutions and Ideas Needed at Next Community Hui on P

Touching, frustrating, and brutally honest accounts of how the drug P is affecting Tairawhiti families has prompted Turanga Health’s CAYAD team to organise a second community hui focusing on how to solve the problem.

The first hui held in September attracted 70 attendees representing a range of education, health, iwi, and social services staff, as well as other concerned members of the community.

Hui presentations included items from the Gisborne Police, a Gisborne District Council Environmental Health Officer, a former P user, a Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) Napier representative, and Turanga Health.

The danger to children and youth was a regular theme throughout the day-long hui, said organiser and Project Coordinator with this district’s CAYAD, Janette Varley.

“It’s such an evil drug. From the Police we learned about how often children are found living in houses being used to manufacture P, and Gisborne District Council told us the challenges they face trying to clean up a P lab or ‘Clan Lab’ as they are often referred to because of their clandestine nature.”

Mrs Varley said the toxic chemicals used for manufacturing the drug find their way into carpets and the furnishings – places where children are likely to be.

“People who attended certainly got a lot out of hearing about the experiences of others. From here we need everyone to come back with their ideas and solutions on how to keep our families and whanau safe.”

The second hui is Monday 30 October, 1pm-3pm, Drama Room, Te Wananga O Aotearoa.

ENDS

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