Members of the Black Power and Mongrel Mob gangs
have met in Auckland in a bid to combat meth addiction.
As Irena Smith reports,
members of the world-famous band The Eagles
were there in support including one band member
with his own experience of addiction.
A welcome for these stars of the music industry.
Bringing with them experience and knowledge
of drug addiction and its harms.
Hoani Waititi Marae hosted the visitors.
The marae has long been running programmes
to help turn people's lives around from a life of crime.
They welcome anyone who wants to share their story.
A star is a star
and they help to draw people's attention to an issue,
but our job is on the ground,
working away in the back to find ways to help whanau.
Despite the marae being supportive of the fight against P,
there were two pohiri held today;
one for The Eagles, and the other for the gangs.
An attempt to keep the kids separate from outside influences.
What we're doing is protecting our kids.
We need to protect our kids
from the negative influences of the world,
even though we know they're out there -
we all know that.
But we need to protect them, so they don't go and think,
'Oh, their motorbikes and clothes are cool!'
'That might be the life for me...'
No way.
Denis O'Reilly has helped to bring Mongrel Mob
and Black Power representatives together today
to talk about how to combat the harms of methamphetamine.
It's hoped that Joe Walsh
could be an example for gang members
on how to kick the addiction to the curb.
But the message from the community here
is that talk is only useful if positive action is taken.
It's good to talk,
but we need to have a plan, a strategy to follow up with action
so we can help those who need it.
Perhaps through music people may find connection and hope.
Beside the issue at hand,
it was clear these Eagles supporters
wanted to show their love for the band and their music.
Irena Smith, Te Karere.