Crusader's war on P just beginning

Gloria Taaka

The Fight Against P rally had just started at Parliament when a hailstorm sent marchers and MPs scrambling for cover.

The rally was meant to be the culmination of the four-day hikoi which had seen the 100 marchers travel from Auckland through the central North Island to Wellington.

Its washed-out ending on Thursday may have disappointed some, but not organiser Marie Cotter.

The 57-year-old grandmother from Pukekohe said that according to her Ngati Porou traditions heavy rain and hail was a sign of success.

While she is optimistic about the success of her march to raise awareness of P (pure methamphetamine), she is not so optimistic about New Zealand's success to date in combating the drug she says is wiping out generations.

Three months ago Ms Cotter, a budget adviser, knew nothing about P. She remembers the exact date and time - 1.10pm last November 26 - when that changed.

That was when another grandmother, Gloria Taaka, came to her needing help to cope with a family affected by P.

Ms Cotter struggled to find information, but as she slowly found out more she became alarmed.

"The more information I was reading the more I was starting to panic that my grandchildren were at risk. I didn't know how evil this drug was and what this drug can do."

Her story of struggling to find information about the drug and her realisation that something needed to be done to raise awareness has now been broadcast on radio, television and printed in numerous newspapers.

It has also brought indignation from some involved in combating drugs, including the minister in charge of drug strategy, Jim Anderton, who say there is information available and much is being done to halt P use.

Mr Anderton has even said the Government is already "doing practically everything" it can, including sending out a million leaflets on P, holding community meetings, reclassifying it as a class A drug, and providing $50 million to strengthen police work in the area.

But for Ms Cotter it is not enough.

"There are people, like me, who really don't know the dangers of P. When we were marching people were coming up to us and asking, 'What is P?' People don't really take notice of anything until it happens to them."

She said the Government and New Zealanders had to be honest about the P problem.

"For us to solve this epidemic each and every one of us has to admit there is a P problem in this country."

In particular she wants politicians to work together.

"Because we came together as New Zealanders, I'm hoping Parliament will come together as one to help us and work with us so we can control this problem."

But for now Ms Cotter, who returned to Auckland yesterday, is happy to enjoy the success of her rally.

She says it achieved its aim of raising awareness and, more important, everyone on the march - many of whom were former users - made it safely to Wellington. 


How you can help

* Make a donation to the FightAgainstP account at any ASB Bank, account number 12-3023-0632784-00.