Eagles guitarist helping fight against P

1.00pm

Rock star Joe Walsh, guitarist with the Eagles, is bringing an anti-drug message to New Zealand.

Walsh, a drug addict in remission, will help focus on a message that the illicit drug methamphetamine and its hardened pure form known as P are not the cool highs which seem to be luring many people into a life-destroying and sometimes fatal habit.

Walsh is taking time out from a world tour to visit New Zealand at his own expense for the project organised by Mokai Whanau Ora, a group of people committed to building a better future for themselves, their families and those with addictions, particularly to methamphetamines.

He was due to visit Parliament in Wellington today, the historic Otatara Pa site at Taradale in Hawke's Bay tomorrow, and Hoani Waititi marae, Auckland, on Friday on what has been dubbed The Sinners' Tour.

It was a thank you to those people who talked with him and took him to Otatara in the 1990s when he toured New Zealand with Herbs and was in the throes of heavy alcohol and cocaine addictions. The experience was the beginning of a long journey back to health for Walsh.

Walsh's visit to the Hawke's Bay will start at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Napier at noon, and soon after he will make his way to the Otatara Marae amphitheatre where he will be welcomed by kaumatua Fred Reti and tangata whenua of nearby Waiohiki Marae.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY