Pubdate: Sat, 11 Oct 2003
Source: Manawatu Evening Standard (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2003 Manawatu Evening Standard
Contact:  http://www.manawatueveningstandard.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1057
Author: LEE MATTHEWS

TOWN MEETS TO DISCUSS P

Feilding parents wanting information and support about the serious effects 
of the methamphetamine P have help at hand on Monday night.

Feilding and Districts Youth Board and the Manchester Lions Club are 
running an information evening about P, at 7.30pm in the Feilding Civic 
Centre's concert chamber.

Board co-ordinator Robyn Duncan said speakers from the police, mental 
health and a pharmacist would talk about what P did to people who took it.

Manawatu Mayor Ian McKelvie would also speak, to lend community support to 
helping with the problem.

Information meetings about P have been held all round New Zealand over the 
past few months.

About 250 Palmerston North parents wanting help turned out to a meeting in 
the city on Wednesday night. Mrs Duncan said it was important parents knew 
more about the drug and how it affected users, because then they could 
recognise what was going on.

The real problem - getting kids off P or stopping them starting in the 
first place - was one all society had to tackle.

Meanwhile, the youth board and Feilding police youth aid officer John 
Samuela hoped parents who wanted more help would form support groups from 
Monday night's meeting.

"Parents who are seeing their kids going through this drug can help each 
other and support each other," Mrs Duncan said.

"We've managed to get a place where parents can meet for free; cost has 
been the sticking point for support groups until now."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart