Term 3: Cannabis season

A small rural school in Marlborough is doing its part in helping crack down on cannabis.

In Havelock School’s latest newsletter, just below the crosscountry results, sits an advert from police asking for drug tipoffs.

Police have published an appeal for residents of the Marlborough Sounds community to be extra vigilant as cannabis-growing season approaches.

The newsletter also advises people to keep an eye out for ‘‘people in the bush who do not look like they are hunting or tramping’’.

Constable Spencer Kingi, one of Havelock’s two policemen, says growers will look to hide cannabis crops in rural areas and the public’s help is crucial.

‘‘The public often acts as the eyes and ears of police.

‘‘For this reason, we reach out to people in a number of ways; from notices in newsletters, engagement through social and traditional media channels, through to daily contact with individuals in our communities.

‘‘Police are focused on keeping people safe and reducing harm in our communities, where the supply of illicit drugs has a big impact,’’ he says.

Marlborough’s rural and often remote locations make it a magnet for growers.

Last year police netted 9000 cannabis plants in the annual aerial recovery operation in the top of the south and West Coast. About 6000 plants were recovered in the Nelson-Marlborough area of the Tasman police district and 3000 on the West Coast.

Havelock School Principal Ernie Buutveld say the newsletter is a great tool to help spread community messages.

‘‘The community supports the school by advertising and so allows, despite the digital age, over 650 hard copies to be distributed in the wider Havelock area … hence the police using it to spread the word.

‘‘They have had some success in the past with other work in this fashion.’’

Anyone who suspects illegal activity can email Kingi on sky426@police.govt.nz