Action on drugs brings results

Manukau Mayor Len Brown has congratulated the police for their crackdown on the alleged P labs in Manurewa earlier this week which resulted in 10 arrests.

While being tough with drug labs is important, all organisations and the community have to work together towards the same priorities, Mr Brown says.

"We need to empower our communities to take action. They need to own the solution."

"Also, police should be resourced with dedicated drug squads who could enforce the law at the community level. We want to see our community turning over every tinny house and P lab and send the message of zero tolerance."

"To do this, we need strong leadership at all levels. We know that the drug problem is leading to other crime and gang issues in our community."

The mayor also supported the government's decision to provide 300 more police officers and other resources to Manukau for communities to address drug and gang-related crime.

Mr Brown is meeting the prime minister later this month when the mayor expects to discuss solutions to the drugs issue.