3 February 2004

Methamphetamine education expands in Waitakere City

Hoani Waititi Marae’s successful Methamphetamine Education Programme will be extended to local communities throughout Waitakere City, as a result of a newly-forged partnership between marae and council.

The Council, through the Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) project, has entered a contract with the marae to take the programme to Waitakere youth and to train community workers and police to more effectively deal with young people affected by the drug, known as ‘crystal’, ‘pure’ or ‘P’.

The programme has been going at Hoani Waititi for 18 months with input from local community leaders and drug and alcohol service providers. The marae works with CAYAD staff and community partners to tailor presentations to individual ages and ethnicities.

“The marae’s education programme’s collaborative approach has a proven high strike rate, showing progress in even the most challenging cases,” says Waitakere City Advocate for Children and Youth Councillor Ewen Gilmour.

“The fact that Hoani Waititi has already made strides in this direction is a huge plus. Now we are taking the programme further into the community, where there are many families in distress, because of amphetamine use,” he says.

The Methamphetamine Education Programme was initiated by education specialistt Dr Pita Sharples of Hoani Waititi Marae in conjunction with the NZ Police.

Last year 80 police and community workers were trained in the practice model, says Presenter Shane White.

ENDS

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