"All of the money they were using to police and then imprison the people using the drugs has instead been put into rehabilitation, giving them jobs and other areas which actually help them."
Hikoi organiser Paul Khan, centre, and the others who came together for the event. Photo / Alice Guy
He said there was more to meth than punishing people and instead it was about helping them turn things around.
"Within our group, we see a lot of whānau who are being affected by this.
"Everyone in the house is touched by it, whether that's being split up by a parent going to prison or a child ending up in Child, Youth and Family care."
As they marched they called out slogans, saying they wanted to see people "smoking fish, not meth".
Tria Tamaka had travelled from Wellington to take part in the Rotorua hikoi.
"I'm here to help this group and get the message out there.
"Meth is affecting all of our whānau, our community and our culture."
She said for her, the focus needed to be put into prevention and early education to stop future generations making the same decisions.
"People in positions of power need to get behind this amazing kaupapa."
