P issues reach West Coast schools
Children born to P-addicted parents are turning up to school with behavioural problems and high-learning needs, stretching schools and social services on the West Coast to their limits, a report has found.
The Community Public Health report found an increase in the number of children enrolled in West Coast schools who have been exposed to methamphetamine (P), alongside a rise in the use of the drug in the community.
Police figures show P offending on the West Coast rose 252 per cent in the first five months of the 2015/2016 financial year compared with the previous year.
Nationally, there was a 12 per cent increase. On the West Coast, 85 service providers detailed concerns over the increased pressure on health, education and social services.
Westport North School principal Cath O’Loughlin said highneeds families were moving into the region attracted by cheaper housing including some who had taken up the Ministry of Social Development’s $5000 grant to relocate from Auckland.
‘‘We have had people who have received grants to move here and since gone again because they couldn’t find employment. It’s really difficult for the children. It takes some time to get them academic and behavioural support and by the time it can be put in place the family has left,’’ she said.
‘‘Our social workers do an amazing job but they are seriously underfunded and understaffed and get burnt out. We have a social worker in school and she is run off her feet,’’ O’Loughlin said.
In the report, educators reported students were unable to engage in learning, weren’t ready for school, struggled to socialise, had limited academic achievement and were anxious and vulnerable.
It showed an increase in the number of students harming themselves and displaying ‘‘risky behaviours’’. The issues identified included family violence, family breakdowns, transience, increase in ‘‘P’’ use and the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on families and children.
A West Coast child and family support service said there was a ‘‘huge need beyond resources’’. ’’ [We] cannot cater to demand as we are currently funded for 75 clients for counselling services but in 2015, 156 clients were served.’’
One woman said her granddaughters were exposed to P manufacture and smoking at home.
‘‘The family home had been turned into a P-lab. They were in the house when the armed offenders squad stormed in.
‘‘They both have ongoing res- piratory problems and sore throats. They do have behavioural problems but it’s difficult to know if that is from post-traumatic stress from what they went through or from exposure to P,’’ she said.
‘‘I work in schools and exposure to domestic violence and P are the two most prominent things I find with kids. There needs to be more funding and more research into the effects of P on children.’’
- Fairfax NZ