Hui targets meth solutions

Alongside “p” for poverty, another pandemic in our community is methamphetamine, according to Te Puna social work champion Tommy Wilson.

Tommy is coming out of retirement to fight for a residential rehabilitation unit in the Western Bay. He plans to hold a hui at Tutereinga Marae at 4pm on Sunday 26th May.

“The community needs to start talking about meth as a medical problem before it becomes a criminal problem. Tauranga Moana is using a million dollars of meth per week. We know this from wastewater testing. So we all know seven users,” says Tommy.

Mount Maunganui GP Dr Tony Farrell, who has a fellowship in addiction medicine, says every addicted person can affect up to ten people around them.

“Addiction services are underfunded. For example, there are long waiting lists for detoxification from alcohol in Tauranga. Clients often have to travel to Whakatāne.

“As withdrawal from methamphetamine is less medically risky than alcohol, clients are generally not treated in a public hospital. The cost of expensive private services are often borne by the whānau.

“Funding of services to allow people a safe place to recover while getting assistance for the coexisting issues that often go hand in hand with addiction would be money well spent.

“Addiction is treatable. People recover and find meaningful work and activities. The downstream effects on crime and prison sentences are obvious,” says Tony.

Tommy plans to establish a new Te Puna Tūmanako Trust, meaning the spring or fountain of hope, and wants families affected by meth use to come to the hui and hear from Tony.

“The hui isn’t about presenting addicts with problems. It’s about working together on solutions. I’m wanting to set up a triage centre for families affected by loved ones addicted to meth. They’re on their own and this crisis is much more widespread than they might realise. It leads to murder, suicide and gun crime,” says Tommy.

“We’ve got to stop leaving it to the police and hospitals. The community is capable of anything if we come together. So, in partnership with local Māori iwi and Trusts, I’m putting together a program, and I will also be knocking on central government’s door.”