Post
Local horse the ‘mane’ event at school
Phone: 09 235 7835 Email: info@thepostnewspaper.co.nz Web: www.deedprint.co.nz/newspaper.html
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Vol 25, No. 23
Businessman, police, slam local synthetic drug sales One of the biggest employers in the local region has Sergeant Palmer says, while there are legal implicabeen joined by local police in demanding a solution to tions with some of the drugs, and certainly with sales the sale of, and issues caused by, synthetic cannabis in to minors, there is also a moral issue. Waiuku. “Having people and families come into my office in a Lex Mills, who with his wife Karen, owns Waiuku New distressed state due to the effects of taking these prodWorld, says he has seen first-hand the effects of the ‘le- ucts make you realise that it has huge effects on the gal high’ among some of the young people among his people addicted to it. Legally, and morally something workforce, and this led him to look more closely into must be done to stop it. the availability of the products in the township. “The Police here certainly do not support the purWith around 160 employees, many chase, use or especially the supply of of them young, Lex says he has heard synthetic cannabis in any way shape of many cases of the damage caused to or form,” he says. “Having people and famifamilies by synthetic cannabis, and he Sergeant Palmer acknowledges that has talked to some of the outlets in the some people do not view it as seriously lies come into my office in area that stock it. as others, but believes the community a distressed state due to He says the results were staggering. as a whole should be more aware of the the effects of taking these While some of the retailers were open dangers posed. products make you realise about their sales of the product, oth“I understand that people can take ers denied they sold it at all - despite the view point that it is legal, therefore that it has huge effects... young people in the township detailthey are entitled to sell it or use it. That ...Legally, and morally ing where they had purchased it from. may be the case however one must something must be done “The amount of this product being look at the effects of its use, or likely to stop it.” sold in a small township is, frankly, effects, and start taking a much more quite scary,” Lex said yesterday. responsible and mature approach to “As a community, we need to ask it.,” he said yesterday. ourselves whether we need it here.” “Legal yes, morally no. If you sell, or Lex’s views are backed up by Waiuku Sergeant Simon use anything that you know has the potential of bad Palmer, who says his staff have had disturbing reports consequences then I would like to see people, and of violence, suicidal tendencies and the break-up of businesses, be more proactive. family units - all linked to the use of synthetic canna“I have heard people that are selling it say that its lebis. Waikato District Health Board spokesperson Mary gal, so they are doing nothing wrong. I think that this Anne Gill said recently that agencies involved had rec- is just a cop out and those people need to stand up, ognised the risks posed by the drugs in smaller com- and be counted. I would suggest taking a firm proacmunities. tive viewpoint would be better than hiding behind and “We’ve seen a number of issues at the Emergency blaming others. Department in Waikato Hospital while our mental “The Waiuku Police here support the ban of such health staff in the Thames- Coromandel have recorded substances, and shaming those businesses that are some disturbing side affects on users. blatantly selling to their customers, some of which are Ms Gill said those side effects have included severe underage!” he said. paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations. In some other communities throughout New Zea“People coming down from the drug have experi- land, shop owners who have chosen not to stock the enced vomiting and a lack of control over their muscles products have displayed signs stating that they have or bodily functions. There has also been cases of the made the choice to support their community by volinability to speak, not eat and lack of sensation leading untarily refusing to sell it. to one person being burnt under a shower! In other areas, families have picketed stores that sell “In the Thames-Coromandel area, almost every sec- synthetic cannabis, and have asked that the rest of the ond case our mental health staff have discussed over community boycott the stores. recent months has had some element of the use of synLex Mills says the local community can take action if thetic drugs. It has been devastating for many of our it chooses to, and has placed a full page ad in this ediyoung population and their families, in one particu- tion of the Post asking for the views of the community. lar case from the Child and Adolescent team involved Feedback forms can be dropped off at either Waiuku a teenager who went into three consecutive seizures, New World or the Post Newspaper. lasting a total of 21 minutes.” See page 11 for further details.
LAUNDRY 4 U SELF SERVICE OR FULLY SERVICED LIQUID DETERGENT AND SOFTENER INCLUDED
The ‘World Famous in Waiuku’ horse Charlie White makes a return to school this week. All this week Charlie will be featuring at Sandspit Road School. A different class each day will be taking responsibility to dress Charlie White. On Monday Room 12 decided to celebrate the All Black’s test victory over France on Saturday night by dressing Charlie in the All Black and French colours. Principal of Sandspit Road School Graeme Newall said “the competition amongst the classes to see who will get the most Likes
on the Charlie White Facebook page is fierce. “It is tremendous that we can get involved with this unique Waiuku icon”, said Graeme. He went on to say that the whole school is waiting to see what the other classes will come up. People can check the progress and pictures throughout the week on the Charlie White Facebook page and vote a ‘like’ for the class that you think has done the best job. Local business Chris Dear Panelbeaters have put up a $100 prize for the class with the most votes.
A careers expo yesterday evening at Waiuku College featured representatives from around 40 businesses and training institutes from throughout the country and attracted a good crowd of people of all ages looking for career information. The expo bought together tertiary institutions, travel and tourism groups, IT, industry training organisations, the Waiuku Business and
Development Association, a flying school, hairdressing and veterinary trainers, DJ and sound engineering options, members of the military, Young Farmers and much more. Above: Karl Sutton, training advisor with BCITO, discussed job opportunities and training information with students Jordan Harrison, Kurt Speir and Hunter Marx yesterday evening.
Careers expo ‘rocks’
E
F TH O L A E D
COMMERCIAL WASHES AVAILABLE Mon - Sat 8am-6pm • Sunday 9am-5pm Closed Public Holidays Shop 2, 33 Edinburgh St, Pukekohe NEXT TO PIZZA HUT Phone 09 239 2964 TXTNZ is national person to person TXTing only. Excluding international and premium TXTs. TXTNZ and standard Prepay terms and conditions apply. *When you activate a new Supa Prepay SIM card. See vodafone.co.nz for full details.
kitchens & design
HAITSMA
A & T Haitsma Ltd, 17 Martyn Street, Waiuku Phone 09 235 7793 E.mail: Haitsma@xtra.co.nz Phone: 09 235 7835
Email: info@thepostnewspaper.co.nz
• K E E •W
229
$
HP Slate 7” 8GB Tablet. Red & Silver
GARY PYES
43 QUEEN ST, WAIUKU • PH 09 235 9711 OPEN SAT 9am - 4pm • CLOSED SUN Web: www.thepostnewspaper.co.nz
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 PAGE 1
Post