Attack on meth to be launched on Monday

Meth use is on the increase in New Zealand.

A 'kete' of resources designed to help educate whanau and the community about the effects of methamphetamine will be publicly launched at Te Ahu, in Kaitaia, on Monday (10am-1pm).

The resources are the work of the Muriwhenua Collective and other Northland providers, which have been collaborating with the Northland DHB for the past 12 months.

Collective spokeswoman Trudy Brown said meth use was clearly on the increase, given the number of P-related issues that were coming to light.

"These issues include the growing number of grandparents who are caring for their mokopuna, because P has taken the parents away," she said.

"Parents affected by P are unable to care for their children, they make poor decisions and put their children at serious risk of harm. It is hoped that the kete will help guide whanau to the support they need to stop using the drug."

It is hoped that the resources will spark conversations in the home and get whanau talking about P and how to find help."

Trudy Brown, Muriwhenua Collective spokeswoman

The kete includes a music video, Make the Change, filmed in Tai Tokerau, along with information booklets, videos, stickers and signs, all designed to educate and initiate conversations within whanau.

"Sometimes it's hard to talk about P, especially if you suspect that someone in your whanau is using it. It is hoped that the resources will spark conversations in the home and get whanau talking about P and how to find help," Ms Brown said.

The launch will include a presentation by Pam Armstrong from the DHB, who will explain the resources, followed by a mini-expo featuring free healthy food, a bouncy castle, games, stalls and health promotions.

The message from the Muriwhenua Collective was clear, Ms Brown said.
"We want a P-free Muriwhenua, because our whanau and mokopuna deserve it."