TURF WAR RAGING BETWEEN RIVAL GANGS

A WAR for control of Auckland's drug trade is being waged on Manukau turf.

Two well-known gangs are battling for a large stake of the region's
drug business.

The highly physical confrontational style of fight has Manukau
leaders extremely worried.

A potential pitch battle in a public place in broad daylight,
involving up to 150 gang members, was stopped recently by the
courageous peacekeeping efforts of one respected community leader.

About 100 local residents of all ages witnessed the incident as it
unfolded on a sunny afternoon.

Detective senior sergeant Dave Pizzini says Counties Manukau police
are investigating and monitoring the troubles, often illustrated by
sporadic street violence and skirmishes.

"We are hearing there are power struggles involving two groups in
Flat Bush," says Mr Pizzini. He adds the troubles are spilling over
into other parts of Manukau including neighbouring Otara.

"The matter is of a highly serious nature. They're turf wars and it's
not just over drugs. The conflicts are producing some serious
injuries," says Det Sen Sgt Pizzini.

Len Brown says the growing drug trade and consumption of illegal
substances is ripping Manukau families apart. Residents are feeling
unsafe and he believes it's time the community collectively started
taking greater responsibility for the escalating spread of drugs.

"The challenge to confront the drugs trade is on right now. It'll
only be won if the mothers and fathers confront the issues in their
own homes," says the Manukau mayoral candidate.

The long-time community leader has worked with social assistance
agencies such as the Otara Youth Action Group (274) for many years
tackling community problems associated with family violence and drug
and booze abuse.

"This is about dealing with it at a community and political level."

While the rising levels of distribution of all drugs worries Mr
Brown, he says New Zealand's local variety of methamphetamine, P, "is
doing the damage".

He says there's already a huge amount of work going into solving
problems at grass roots levels - on the streets and in homes and
public places across Manukau.

But there's a strong emphasis now on getting parents communicating
directly with their children and acting if they suspect drugs are
doing serious damage to lives.

Su'a William Sio says there's "an element of fear" in the
neighbourhoods that are literally battling a war with the
consequences of alcohol and drug indulgence.

"The indications are we haven't seen the worst of it yet," says the
Manukau City councillor for Otara.

He says all members of society need to be facing up to the present realities.

Mr Sio says parents should be talking to their children and educating
them on the harms of drugs and alcohol.

Schools should be enforcing a zero tolerance policy, while
politicians and churches have roles to play in improving social
relationships between all sectors of society, he says.

Maurice Williamson says rising levels of drug use, especially the
spread of P "is one of the country's biggest problems".

The MP's witnessing the fall-out in his Pakuranga electorate and
believes it's reflected "right across society".

He told the Times lives are being "wiped-out" by P addiction, as
users continue to fork-out large amounts of money for the destructive
methamphetamine.

Some of the cases Mr Williamson knows about show people that were
"wealthy high-flyers only 10 years ago" reduced to financial,
physical and mental ruin.

"It's frightening. I'm seeing it and am dealing with it right now,"
says Mr Williamson.

Ross Robertson is aware of drug problems in his constituency, having
witnessed one tinnie house closed by police last year that
neighboured an electorate office.

The Manukau East MP says now's the time for citizens to claim back
their communities.

Mr Brown points out that most of Manukau's children, teenagers and
young adults are showing great strength and courage by ignoring peer
pressure to get involved in drugs.

"We ask theirfriends to walk with them."

Mr Brown plans to tour a group of experts through Manukau's schools
in the coming months. They'll deliver a reality check "blunt message"
programme, so children and adolescents fully understand the dangers
of dealing with those who are selling drugs.

Last week, the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR)
said there's no evidence to suggest the use of methamphetamine, or P,
has peaked in New Zealand.

"The number of P lab scenes our chemists attend may have plateau-ed,
but there are indications of greater quantities of methamphetamine
being imported," says ESR forensic programme manager Dr Keith Bedford.

Former New York gang leader turned preacher Nicky Cruz and colleagues
from Victory Outreach met with members of some of south Auckland and
Manukau's estimated 53 gangs last week.

His message urged gang members and associates to avoid lives in crime.

Det Sen Sgt Pizzini urges the public to watch a recently released
health education DVD entitled Sophie's Story circulated to all high schools.

It tells of a younger sister's witnessing of an older brother's
demise through P addiction.

The youth action group holds a Community Leaders' Congress at Otara
Music and Arts Centre, on March 8, to be attended by school, church
and community leaders and police.