Pills blamed for gang violence

Press, 10 September 1988, Page 6

Pills blamed for gang violence

PA Wellington Gangs are using stand-over tactics against doctors to feed chronic prescription pill habits, which in turn are causing gang violence, according to the national president of Black Power,. Mr Rei Harris. He said yesterday that abuse of certain pills mixed with alcohol was now an epidemic. It was too cheap and easy for members, frustrated by unemployment, to get them. “Our gang is on the pill — the wrong pill,” Mr Harris said. He said the pill and alcohol mix produced a strong “high” which was far worse than alcohol on its own or cannabis. This could be blamed for much gang violence. The Medical Association’s chairman, Dr Tony Baird, declined to

comment last evening on Mr Harris’ assertion that doctors were supplying the pills, saying he would need specific cases and figures. However, a police spokesman in Wanganui, where there has been a recent surge of gang violence including a death, attributed the trouble to prescription pills. Sergeant Darryl Nix said the police had no problem with gangs until about a month ago when they started using pills. “I think the local leaders are very worried. There is a small group of them getting into these pills and alcohol and when they are high they wouldn’t have a clue what they are doing,” he said. “Definitely our problems have coincided with the pill problem

raising its ugly head.” He did not know how the gangs got hold of the drugs. Mr Harris said common assault was always likely with alcohol. “But with the pills they are out of their minds — completely out of control — and so in a fight situation they keep going until their victim stops breathing,” Mr Harris said. Members had abused pills for about 10 years, but it was only over the last three years that things had got out of hand. In that time, work was harder to get. Members grew frustrated and desperate, beginning the pill abuse cycle. With a little organisation, $5O for doctors’ fees and prescriptions, they could get a month’s “hit.”