Hardcore Horowhenua fights for teens to go clean

At the launch of Hardcore Horowhenua, from the left, Ramon Narayan and Richie Hardcore Steward.

Recognising that something must be done about alcohol and drug abuse in Horowhenua, Hardcore Horowhenua was launched, an initiative aimed at challenging teenage mind sets around drinking and drug use.

Hardcore Horowhenua is an initiative run by a group of agencies working together (led by the Public Health Unit of the MidCentral DHB). Martin MacMaster (Health Promotion Adviser) is the coordinator. The project is funded by the Health Promotion Agency. The group is called the RTDS (Rethink teen drinking and social supply) committee.

Last week, Hardcore Horowhenua launched with touring speakers Ramon Narayan and Richie Hardcore visiting the three Horowhenua high schools, sharing inspirational and educational stories about their journeys with drugs and alcohol.

Richie Hardcore grew up with an alcoholic father in west Auckland. His life experiences had led him to becoming a combat sportsman with a 'straight edge', meaning he does not use alcohol, tobacco and other recreational/non-prescribed drugs.

With a degree in politics, he spends his days as a community worker campaigning against domestic and sexual violence and advocates for social change.

"As a child, alcohol meant cops coming around. I got involved with martial arts at 13. It gave me the backbone to say no to alcohol and drugs," he said.

Hardcore decided to give up alcohol altogether 10 years ago.

He encourages people to use sports as a healthy outlet for life's hardships and frustrations.

"Fall in love with yourself and a passion that gives you more and better coping mechanisms than drinking," he said.

"Give yourself a reason not to be hung over on Sunday morning."

Education is key to prevention, but Hardcore believes the Government hasn't done enough to address New Zealand's alcohol abuse problem.

"The Government should have tightened up the rules by raising the cost of alcohol and limiting marketing and advertising," he said.

The Government needed to provide more money for alcohol treatment centres which could not keep up with the numbers of people needing help.

Hardcore Horowhenua will be an ongoing initiative aiming to make change among the youth of Horowhenua.

Upcoming events will be on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/HardcoreHorowhenua