Lockdown: Drug rehab programme ends early
Went home early due to Covid-19 rules
Ten men taking part in a controversial Mongrel Mobled drug rehabilitation treatment programme were sent home a week because of alert level 4 lockdown uncertainty.
The Kahukura programme, which has been the subject of intense political scrutiny since Hawke’s Bay Today revealed it had received $2.75 million of Government funding, was supposed to run for 10 weeks.
However, a Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed the course had closed one week early to enable participants to return home for lockdown.
Under alert level 4 lockdown restrictions, mental health and addiction services, including residential programmes such as Kahukura, were still able to run with plans in place for managing any potential Covid-19 cases. (It’s now level 3.)
But the decision to wrap up the Kahukura programme early was made based on advice from police and the local Covid-19 Response Committee, in order to allow the men to travel home within the Government’s 48-hour window.
“Plans were put in place for each of the men, and the organisers have
WHAT IS KAHUKURA
Kahukura is a marae-based rehabilitation programme to support whanau and communities following an increase of suicides and homicides in Hawke’s Bay-based Mongrel Mob members.
It is expected to run for three cycles of 10 weeks per year over three years and is subject to six-monthly reviews.
been communicating regularly with them to monitor their transition home and to identify any additional support needs,” the MOH spokesperson said.
“They will also work with service providers to put in place wraparound support to facilitate their ongoing recovery, including individual sessions with addiction counsellors where needed.”
The programme, run by Hard2Reach (H2R), has been heavily criticised by National Party politicians and by some senior members of Hawke’s Bay police unhappy the $2.75m, which comes from the Proceeds of Crime Fund is being used to help gangs.
But it has been defended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who said a pilot that ran at Poukawa Marae in Central Hawke’s Bay independently of the ministry last year had shown “signs of success”.
Men on the Kahukura were engaging with other drug addiction support and treatment providers like Kia Tipu Te Ora Trust in Hastings. The visit to the addiction support service provider, which takes in anyone who asks for help, was about creating connections for when the men leave.
The MOH spokesperson acknowledged that the combination of stress and uncertainty caused by Covid-19 can have an impact on the mental wellbeing of people, including drug and alcohol consumptions.
Others with existing issues may also need additional support.
“Community mental health and addiction service appointments are being conducted online or by phone where possible, and urgent and crisis community mental health and addiction services are continuing as usual, in accordance with Public Health guidance.”
Local GP clinics can help connect people with mental health and addiction support service providers. A range of self-help tools and mental health resources are also available on the ministry website.
Help is available 24/7 by calling the Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797.
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Here’s something to look forward to once lockdown life has ended — the line-up for this year’s Food and Wine Classic, known as F.A.W.C!, has been announced.
The popular festival celebrates its 10th birthday this year and the chief executive of Hawke’s Bay Tourism, Hamish Saxton, confirmed plans were still underway for the summer series, set to take place over 10 days between November 4 and 14.
“While we are all staying home right now, baking lockdown loaf and banana bread, I, for one, am looking forward to the amazing experiences and meals — especially cooked by someone else — that come after lockdown.”
He was especially looking forward to this year’s programme, which showcases the best of the region’s food and wine country.
With more than 50 events for diners and drinkers to choose from, he said the “programme was filled to the brim”.
“From Hawke’s Bay’s own immensely talented chefs, winemakers, craft brewers and foodies, to our incredible venues, money-can’t-buy events and some of New Zealand’s most in-demand chefs, we aim for this year’s festival to be a special one.”
The festival will also take stock of the previous decade and honour those personalities who have made F.A.W.C! and Food and Wine Country what it is today, Saxton said.
A notable addition is the new showcase luncheon that will act as a cornerstone of the Summer Series for years to come, he said.
The F.A.W.C! Grand Long Lunch, to be held at a secret location, will include five courses, each matched to a local wine, designed by five of Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand’s leading chefs.
Local chefs Casey McDonald, of Craggy Range, and Regnar Christensen (Black Barn Bistro), will be joined by Wellington’s Hayden McMillan, co-owner and head chef at Floridita’s, Leslie Hottiaux, co-owner and head chef at Apéro on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd, and Glen File, head chef at Josh Emett’s Onslow.
Pacifica Restaurant has also teamed up with Fleur Sullivan for a seafood special, while Nici Wickes will lead a tour along the Te Awanga coast by bicycle.
Central Fire Station is turning up the heat at Millar Road and Black Barn will welcome Cuisine’s 2018 Chef of the Year, Giulio Sturla, for an intimate afternoon at the River Room.
There are also events in Mahia and Central Hawke’s Bay to make the most of the region’s food and wine scene.
Tickets go on sale on September 15, with pre-sale tickets released the day before. A full F.A.W.C! Summer Series programme can be found online at fawc.co.nz