Lockdown uncertainty prompts Mongrel Mob-led drug rehab programme to end a week early

Ten men taking part in a controversial Mongrel Mob-led drug rehabilitation treatment programme have been sent home a week early because of alert level 4 lockdown uncertainty.

The Kahukura programme, which has been the subject of intense political scrutiny since Hawke's Bay Today revealed it had received $2.75 million of Government funding, was supposed to run for 10 weeks.

However, a Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed the course had closed one week early to enable participants to return home for lockdown.

Under alert level 4 lockdown restrictions, mental health and addiction services, including residential programmes such as Kahukura, are still able to run with plans in place for managing any potential Covid-19 cases.

But the decision to wrap up the Kahukura programme early was made based on advice from police and the local Covid-19 Response Committee, in order to allow the men to travel home within the Government's 48-hour window.

"Plans were put in place for each of the men, and the organisers have been communicating regularly with them to monitor their transition home and to identify any additional support needs," the MOH spokesperson said.

"They will also work with service providers to put in place wrap-around support to facilitate their ongoing recovery, including individual sessions with addiction counsellors where needed."

The programme, run by Hard2Reach (H2R), has been heavily criticised by National Party politicians and by some senior members of Hawke's Bay police unhappy the $2.75m, which comes from the Proceeds of Crime Fund is being used to help gangs.

But it has been defended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who said a pilot that ran at Poukawa Marae in Central Hawke's Bay independently of the ministry last year had shown "signs of success".

Ten men taking part in Kahukura, the Mongrel Mob-led drug rehabilitation programme being run near Waipawa, have gone home a week early due to lockdown. Photo / Facebook

Since early this month, men on the Kahukura programme have been engaging with other drug addiction support and treatment providers like Kia Tipu Te Ora Trust in Hastings, where a haka was performed on Heretaunga St.

The visit to the addiction support service provider, which takes in anyone who asks for help, was about creating connections for when the men leave.

The MOH spokesperson acknowledged that the combination of stress and uncertainty caused by Covid-19 can have an impact on the mental wellbeing of people, including drug and alcohol consumptions.

Others with existing issues may also need additional support.

"Community mental health and addiction service appointments are being conducted online or by phone where possible, and urgent and crisis community mental health and addiction services are continuing as usual, in accordance with Public Health guidance."

Local GP clinics, which continue to operate at alert level 4, can help connect people with mental health and addiction support service providers.

A range of self-help tools and mental health resources are also available on the ministry website.

Help is available 24/7 by calling the Alcohol and Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797.

WHAT IS KAHUKURA

Kahukura is a marae-based rehabilitation programme to support whanau and communities following an increase of suicides and homicides in Hawke's Bay-based Mongrel Mob members.

It is expected to run for three cycles of 10 weeks per year over three years and is subject to six-monthly reviews.