SUPPORT NETWORK SET UP FOR FAMILIES OF P ADDICTS

Palmerston North is aiming to be the first New Zealand city to set
up a support network for the families of pure methamphetamine addicts.

At a meeting being held in the city's convention centre tomorrow
night, city councillor Lew Findlay is bringing together families
affected by the drug and hopes to establish a help and advice network.

"For every P addict there are 10 people who are affected. There's
plenty of treatment and support for methamphetamine users, but what
about their families? They can be assaulted or robbed, but there is
no help out there whatsoever," he said.

Mr Findlay, who also coordinates the Palmerston North Street Van
support service, said he had constantly been called by concerned
parents over the last seven months.

"In the first eight days of March alone, I've had 31 parents come to
me, that's how bad it is. At the moment I'm struggling to fit people
into my schedule, but with the meeting we're trying to make it
bigger," he said.

The support network will involve parents sharing their experiences
and helping each other, with volunteer counsellors on call if necessary.

Palmerston North Street Van had also produced a booklet telling
families what to expect from people on the drug.

Mr Findlay said there were no resources or money available to help
the family network so Street Van would fundraise where it could.

The meeting tomorrow night will also feature talks by mayor Heather
Tanguay, police area commander Pat Hancock, the mothers of two men
who have battled methamphetamine addictions, and local school principals.

Though methamphetamine is used by anyone from professionals down to
12-year-olds, Mr Findlay expressed particular concern about
schoolchildren. He had spoken at schools where up to 80 per cent of
students knew someone who had come in contact with P and said many
knew where to get it.

Palmerston North Boys High School principal Tim O'Connor, who will
speak at the meeting, said parents needed to be informed about drugs.