The Mayor of Kawerau is issuing a call to arms, after yet another drug bust in his town.
Seven people have been arrested as part of Operation Notus Two, but Malcolm Campbell is at his wits end, saying enough is enough when it comes to drug use in his town.
He warns the issue is being pushed onto tamariki, and causing a huge amount of damage.
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Meth, cannabis, firearms and more than $21,000 in cash were seized as assets on Wednesday. Four stolen trucks, a trailer and numerous power tools were also recovered.
Police say a raid in March, the original Operation Notus, targeted the Mongrel Mob's meth trade.
Since then there's been a 34 percent drop in overall crime in Kawerau. Violent offending fell by 50 percent, and the decline in dishonesty offending is similar.
Acting area commander, Senior Sergeant Richard Miller, says they won't let up.
"We have been monitoring the situation in Kawerau over the past six months, and today's arrests show we will continue targeting anyone who preys on this town through the distribution and supply of illicit drugs."
But Mr Campbell says the battle has casualties, and is calling for help dealing with the trail of addicts the gangs leave behind. He says the health authorities need to pick this up, and run with the police on it.
The fed-up Mayor is not alone, with local iwi also desperate for more help.
Tūwharetoa Health, Education and Social Services Trust CEO, Chris Marjoribanks says pieces of the puzzle are missing.
"Providing assessment, counselling and rehab for those addicted or in the space of addiction is needed," he said.
Health Minister David Clark admits more can be done, but has no immediate solution.
"I expect the inquiry into mental health and addiction will have some robust recommendations for governments going forward".
All three Eastern Bay of Plenty mayors (Kawerau, Whakatane and Opotiki) want to wipe out the scourge of meth and crime, but say they simply can't do it alone.
Newshub.
