Police sting prompts social services hub
For those people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues, your mayor has a message for you. ‘‘You are not alone.’’ Matamata-Piako District Mayor Jan Barnes met with Eastern Waikato agencies to look at setting up a social services hub in Te Aroha.
Those at the meeting included Waikato DHB, Police, Corrections, social services and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau who came together to talk about how a hub could help people battling with drug, alcohol and/or mental health issues.
The meeting was called by Barnes after a major police operation uncovered methamphetamine problems in small towns like Te Aroha.
Police carried out Operation Daydream where around 40 police officers were involved in search warrants in Te Aroha, Paeroa, Matamata and Waiuku, resulting in nine arrests last year.
Waikato Police said links with the community made an impact on organised crime, particularly around Te Aroha.
Crime services co-ordinator, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene, said police from across the Waikato combined as part of Operation Daydream.
‘‘Our investigation was greatly assisted by information supplied by the community, who are concerned about the harm caused to people in their town caught up in the use of methamphetamine,’’ he said at the time.
‘‘Others have been arrested and charged with a variety of charges including dishonesty offences and the supplying of methamphetamine.’’
Following on from Operation Daydream, a public meeting was held at Te Aroha College were 400 people turned out to discuss the methamphetamine epidemic that is destroying people’s lives in small towns around the country.
‘‘We have a very pro-active community in Te Aroha who will not accept that this destructive drug is impacting on people in our communities,’’ Barnes said.
‘‘There are services and help available, but often it’s about access. That’s why a hub is vital.’’
A temporary hub will be set up at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Te Aroha.