It was, however, what he often said before this that really took my attention.
He often preceded that question by looking them in the eye and saying: "Now you look like a really smart young man with a lot of potential", or "now you're a smart-looking young man, I see the twinkle in your eyes and I think you'll do, and want to do, really well in the life".
Then he would press on to ask the inevitable question: "Then why the heck are you using these drugs?"
Each user went on to answer the question. Whatever the respective reason, it was obvious that the drugs had a hold on them.
What wasn't so obvious, but was quietly noticeable, was the pleased smile each interviewee gave in response to Campbell speaking his words of edification to them.
Everyone likes to be esteemed. Everyone likes to be valued. Everyone likes to have the potential in them recognised and called out. Everyone likes to have someone believe in them.
Even if it was for the briefest of moments someone, Campbell in this instance, believed in these youths.
He didn't judge them as users or druggies but spoke to their deeper core as good and valued people. For many of these young men, I would imagine they have seldom had people in their lives speak to them of their positive potential and help them into more positive opportunities. But what if we did?
Many of these youth seem relatively bright and remarkably pleasant and courteous. With a bit of positive persuasion, direction, grooming and opportunity, I believe they would make very good employment candidates, replacing idle hands and negative habits with positive ones.
Youth Connections is a highly successful Auckland initiative that improves the transition of young people leaving school and moving into the next step of their journey: employment, education or job training.
Its brokers put youth in touch with potential employers, other agencies and schools and tertiary education providers in their local area.
Since the beginning of 2013, it has assisted about 500 young people to secure jobs. The aim is to extend the service by opening a local employment office that seeks to co-ordinate youth employment initiatives throughout the region.
Hawke's Bay, I believe, would benefit from a similar initiative.
I understand good services do exist within and throughout organisations and contracts in the Bay in this regard, however a major operative should be to ensure these are made visible to the end user and ideally co-ordinated among providers.
A central office with satellite services to local areas would help create a one-stop shop for providers to co-ordinate and for youth users to frequent. This would complement the role of Winz, the Hastings District Council supported Youth Futures and other schemes that aim to assist youth into employment and education opportunities.
Please contact your local council for information on youth employment initiatives and services in your area.
