Fiordland community prepares P action plan

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

Dealing with methamphetamine is not just a police problem, it's a community concern for everyone, according to a Fiordland social worker.

At a closed meeting in Te Anau on Wednesday, community members came together to formulate an action plan to address the effects of meth.

The meeting followed on from an earlier one held in August.

Fiordland family worker Dale Wairau said the region was not exempt from the effects the drug was having elsewhere around the country.

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A formal action plan would be finalised in the coming week, he said.

Earlier this month, 16 gang members were reportedly patched in Te Anau.

There has been a 60 per cent rise in the number of patched and prospect gang members in the Southern police district over the past two tears.

There are now 217 members across Otago and Southland, up from 134 in October 2017.

Clutha District mayor Bryan Cadogan told Stuff earlier this month there are initiations and patchings happening across the lower South Island on a regular basis.

Police southland area commander inspector Mike Bowman says police are aware of a small increase in gang activity in the Te Anau area.

'We have no information that indicates that any gang ceremonies have taken place in the area.'

Former Fiordland community board chair [recently re-elceted to the board] Sarah Greaney said Te Anau had a meth issue.

'P is in town, it's here,' she says.

Greaney hasn't seen any gang activity in town.

'I'm not aware of any connection between gangs and P, I haven't seen any evidence.'