Watch NZH Local Focus: 'We have 14-year-olds smoking crack'

Having once had a hard life herself, Sheril Davy has been helping youth in Pahiatua cope with just that for the last 16 years.

Yet, she has a message to share. Out of sight and out of mind, New Zealand's rural youth population is suffering.

"Within our community, we have got people as young as 14 smoking crack. I think, a couple of years ago, we could have said we were looking at the low income families, the single and that, but it's across the board now.

"We have got people that you would never expect that are taking these drugs," says Ms Davy.

Local police declined to comment on the issue of methamphetamine in Pahiatua.

However they did say they were aware of the problem but felt it was no different to any other small community in New Zealand. Sergeant Shane Brown said he needed the public's help to identify the sale and supply of methamphetamine in Pahiatua.

Last month, the Police Association claimed police were losing the war against methamphetamine, with 889kg of the drug seized last year - twice as much as the previous year.

Jon Ward, new principal of Tararua College was also aware of the problem but said a different approach was needed to keep students in school.

"Yes, there are things around drugs and those sorts of things.

"And that is a community issue and it's one that we need to address, and it's one that we need to have positive conversations around.

"I guess one of the things that I'm really driving is that positive conversation.

Principal of Tararua College Jon Ward said denying there was a problem was no longer an option.

"Actually, not just ignoring the problems but actually starting with an approach that allows us to find solutions rather than to say it's just not here."

The Tararua principal said he was determined not to turn his back on the students who needed his help the most.

Sheril Davy was the same. The Tararua Community Youth Services worker was embarking on an apprenticeship in Mental Health and Addiction Support to face growing needs in the community.

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If you need help:

If you are worried about your or someone else's drug use or mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.

Or if you need to talk to someone else:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (Mon-Fri 1pm to 10pm. Sat-Sun 3pm-10pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666