Waikato Women’s Refuge says 2024 is shaping up to be a particularly bad year for struggling whānau, with drug and alcohol use contributing to higher levels of family violence.
Chief executive Ruahine Albert says rising living costs are putting extreme pressures on families.
She says government agencies aren’t doing enough to help people with their most urgent needs, including housing, affordable health access, and food.
“People will go to either those needs of alcohol and drugs – that easier access. It numbs the fact of what you’re experiencing when you’re up against either a system or services, you know you get declined or turned down so much you’re not going to make it out of there – what have you got to look forward to?” Ms Albert says.
Methamphetamine abuse is now the undisputed number one issue facing community services like Refuge.
