Kerre Woodham: Potent weapon to rid us of gangs

The measures announced by John Key to combat the P manufacturers is a baby step in the right direction.

Beefing up Customs is probably the most important initiative, although I see staff will be "redeployed" into the new anti-P squad, which must by definition mean our border security guards will be stretched in their other duties.

The decision to make pseudoephedrine-based cold and flu tablets prescription only has annoyed a lot of people and surely it would have been better to have enforced a more secure and comprehensive pharmacists' register than an outright ban, but I'm willing to do my bit in the fight against crime and go to the doctor on the rare occasion I need a cold formula.

Surely, though, it will be initiatives taken by communities like the tiny town of Murupara that will be more effective in driving the gangs out of business.

More than 250 people marched through the Bay of Plenty town this week demanding the gangs get out of their community. Two teenage boys from the town have been killed within eight months after they were caught up in gang confrontations and the local kaumatua said the people had had enough.

Pem Bird says the time for soft talking and conciliatory lines is over and the town will be taking a hard line. Gangs are a cancer, he says, and they need to be cut out of the community.

Damn right. Good on the Murupara locals and may more communities take that stand.

We can look to the Government for legislation to help provide the enforcement agencies with the tools they need to do their jobs but it's going to be up to individuals and communities to back up the agencies and refuse to allow gangs to take up residence in local neighbourhoods.

It's only when gangs realise their fight is not just with the police but with every law-abiding citizen that they'll understand this is a fight they can't win.

* www.kerrewoodham.com