Police addressing drug use in Motueka

July 6th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

Work being done by the Police to address drug use in Motueka, particularly among young people, was outlined by Youth Education Officer Gerry Tonkin to the July Community & Whanau meeting today.

Gerry said that until very recently most of the dairies in Motueka made legal high drugs such as Kronic available to kids and adults, but after some pleading for common sense by police all outlets other than Flurmo have removed them from shelves.

A synthetic cannabis equivalent, Kronic has been the subject of news in the media recently. Gerry said that, along with alcohol (and particularly RTDs) and cannabis, Kronic had become very popular, and youngsters would share 'smoking' them on tin lids.

Eighteen community group leaders at the meeting viewed the Powerpoint presentation that Gerry gives to High School classes, and drew wide-eyed responses when explaining what household materials can be used as mind-altering drugs, and where various aspects of drug use stand with respect to existing laws and law reforms currently being considered by a parliamentary select committee.

The Community & Whanau group also heard about the official opening of Community Link, to be held on August 5th at 8.30am. The group also farewelled Gabrielle Thorpe, a regular attender, who is shortly leaving her role as manager of the Abel Tasman Educational Trust.

Matt Beech spoke of the seminar for superannitants, to be hosted by St Thomas Anglican Church, on July 26th. The goal will be to tell people about their entitlements and the availability of extra assistance. It will begin with free finger-food lunch. The guest speaker will be Tracey Andersen, case manager at Community Link.

>> , to be added to the page. [If this link doesn't work, use this form instead]

[ Return ]
[ Other news articles ]