P-ED OFF DEALERS BLAMED FOR SMASHING ANTI-DRUG SIGNS

Drug dealers have been accused of ripping down six billboards
promoting strong anti-P messages in Tauranga.

The billboards, designed after consultation with local youngsters,
were part of an alcohol and drug awareness programme organised by a
drug action agency through Ngaiterangi Iwi.

They were put up in three prominent Tauranga locations at the end of
last year and were to be in place until January 15 under a Community
Action on Youth and Drugs project.

But all the double-sided billboards have been destroyed and
Ngaiterangi Iwi suspect drug dealers are responsible.

The iwi is vowing to fight back saying the vandalism has not deterred
the project team from taking the anti-drug message out to the community.

"What was to be a positive community awareness campaign by local iwi,
Ngaiterangi, has quickly become an annoyance for underground drug
users and dealers," said Sandra Mauger, Community Action on Youth and
Drugs (CAYAD) co-ordinator. She said the billboards were developed by
youth for youth to raise awareness and cut the incidence of drug use
in the district.

When they started talking to youth about how to stop drug use among
their peers, the messages they came up with were very direct, she said.

"What the taking down of the billboards tells us is the messages are
hitting those involved with drugs a little too close to home. If they
have felt the need to destroy a piece of board with writing on it
then our message is having an effect and that's what we want."

Hauata Palmer, chairperson of Ngaiterangi Runanga, said although it
was speculative that drug users and dealers were involved in the
vandalism, it showed the initiative had worked.

"It gives the message that the suppliers are getting nervous and
people that are into dealing with P are starting to get concerned about it.

Mr Palmer said there was some suggestion that two carved figures,
which signify a rahui (ban) on P, were taken from Matapihi by the
same vandals. The carvings had been up for over a year and went
missing just as the anti-P campaign was about to launch.

Ngaiterangi iwi's six posters designed for youth by youth read: Fried
or Friend; Give Up Da P and Be a Natural Maori; Girl, P Don't Make U
Pretty; There Ain't No P in Brotha; P, Pain, Paranoia, Police, Prison
Is It Worth It?; and E Vict Da Dealaz.