WHANGAREI CANNABIS PROBLEM UNDER SCRUTINY

Whangarei's "huge cannabis problem" and lack of youth alcohol and drug
counselling services are under scrutiny by the Northland District Health
Board (DHB).

Currently there is no public health alcohol and drug assessment or
counselling service for youths aged 18 and under throughout Northland - a
situation widely put down to a lack of funding.

However, that could change following an investigation into the youth
cannabis problem in Whangarei.

Chris Farrelly, acting general manager of primary health care for Northland
Health, said the issue needed to be looked at closely before contemplating
how such a service could be funded.

"You can't go and get funding or look for resources until you have a good
handle on what the picture is."

The Northland District Health Board was looking into the cannabis
situation, what was being done about it, and where the gaps were in the system.

The research was being conducted alongside an overall assessment of public
health needs.

So far, the research had confirmed what was already known.

"The reality is we have got a huge cannabis problem in Whangarei," Mr
Farrelly said.

Involved in the project are Whangarei's One Stop Youth Shop, school
principals, police and various youth services.

"The reaction has been phenomenal. People are wanting to work together on
this project," Mr Farrelly said.

"This is the first time we have had an opportunity to do this. We (the DHB)
have just come into being, we are targeting youth health as a high priority."

The project will be finished in about a month and a report will be
presented to interested parties before any recommendations are announced.

The lack of a counselling and assessment service has frustrated Whangarei
campus cop Hank van Engelen, who helped pioneer the drug programme Rubicon
in Whangarei schools in June 1999.

The early intervention and behaviour-changing programme was designed by
Whangarei clinical psychologist Garry Poole and is proving a success. There
are about 200 pupils in the Whangarei district who have been through it,
and signed a contract saying they will agree to be tested for cannabis over
a set time-period.

About 70 to 80 percent of pupils successfully complete the programme. The
20 to 30 percent that do not will leave school or go on to alternative
education before completing the programme.

However, a few "fall between the cracks" and they would be perfect
candidates for counselling.

"That's the biggest issue I have as far as adolescents are concerned, even
getting them assessed," Mr van Engelen said.

At any one time there are 40 to 50 students on the programme that Mr van
Engelen believes would all benefit from either assessment or counselling.

"They should have the right to be seen by a counsellor, or at least be
assessed to see if they have a problem."