"We have got people as young as 14 smoking crack," she said.
"I think, a couple of years ago, we could have said we were looking at the low-income families, the single and that, but it's across the board now.
"We have got people that you would never expect that are taking these drugs."
Rangitane o Tamaki nui a Rua will host a public meeting in the Dannevirke Town Hall and, helped by a $388 contribution from the Dannevirke Community Board, police, social services, educators, government agencies and church representatives have been invited to share the problems they see facing whanau and families and meth users.
"Methamphetamine is not isolated to one section of the community, it's a community problem, which affects our whanau and families," Jocelyn Pomana, Rangitane's alcohol and drug support service co-ordinator, said.
Concerns have also been repeatedly raised over the lack of drug and alcohol programmes for young people in Tararua.
The MidCentral District Health Board believes a new youth Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) prevention programme in Pahiatua is showing positive results, but it is yet to be rolled out in Dannevirke.
Funded by MidCentral DHB through the Tararua Health Group and run by Mash Trust, the two-year programme began in January and focuses on young people with alcohol and drug problems.
The service is based at a school for 24 hours a week under the leadership of Mash's clinical leader, Holly Greenston.
"Two of us work with 23 individuals, so it is great that the kids are coming to us, but on the other hand we find it hard to cater for that many in the time available," she said.
Individual referrals come in from the school staff, police, GPs and parents.
"We can see that we are making a difference. We know it is working and having a positive impact on the individuals we see," Mash Trust Mental Health and Addiction services manager Rodger McLeod said.
But Greenston communities themselves could do a lot more.
"Kids need opportunities and they constantly say to me that there is nothing to do," she said.
"They need to have a safe place where they can go to meet others, engage in a wide range of activities and develop friendships.
"We are working to instil a sense of awareness, change behaviour patterns and to develop trust, but the community needs to play its part too.
"Ideas to engage kids can be really simple, for example, making sure basketball hoops are left out for use after school hours.
"A few things we have initiated, which run alongside our clinical work, include running a robotics course using our IT people here at Mash.
"The kids are really excited about building a robot. Mash is also putting up two scholarships for kids to redo our website.
"This again provides inspiration and another opportunity."
It was rewarding to see young people, who often had not had a great start in life, responding well, she said.
Tararua Health Group chief executive Sharon Wards said she was delighted with the results of the service so far.
"I hope the outcomes for this work will justify and guide an extension into Dannevirke in the future," she said.
Voice your concerns:
The public meeting on the methamphetamine epidemic and the way forward will be held in the Dannevirke Town Hall on Wednesday, July 12, at 6.30pm.
Need help?:
If worried about your or someone else's drug use or mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental-health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
If you need to talk to someone else:
* Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
* Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
* Youthline: 0800 376 633
* Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
* Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (Mon-Fri 1pm to 10pm. Sat-Sun 3pm-10pm)
* Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
* Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
* Samaritans 0800 726 666