Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hudson of the Salvation Army discusses the organisation's eight-year partnership with the Notorious chapter of the Mongrel Mob on drug addiction and rehabilitation, responding to recent political controversy over government funding for gang-linked initiatives led by figures such as Harry Tam. He explains the programme began after gang members, tired of losing people to methamphetamine addiction and wanting better futures for their children, approached the Salvation Army for support delivered alongside them rather than imposed on them.



Hudson argues the results speak for themselves: a Ministry of Health-funded review found reduced drug use, lower crime and violence, and fewer children removed from gang families. He pushes back on the "funding criminals" critique by distinguishing gang leadership from community members genuinely working for change, and advocates that government should keep backing such grassroots, faith-aligned efforts (([www.salvationarmy.org.nz](https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz))) because, in his view, offering "life" and grace succeeds where negativity and exclusion have failed.




Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hudson of the Salvation Army discusses the organisation's eight-year partnership with the Notorious chapter of the Mongrel Mob on drug addiction and rehabilitation, responding to recent political controversy over government funding for gang-linked initiatives led by figures such as Harry Tam. He explains the programme began after gang members, tired of losing people to methamphetamine addiction and wanting better futures for their children, approached the Salvation Army for support delivered alongside them rather than imposed on them. Hudson argues the results speak for themselves: a Ministry of Health-funded review found reduced drug use, lower crime and violence, and fewer children removed from gang families. He pushes back on the "funding criminals" critique by distinguishing gang leadership from community members genuinely working for change, and advocates that government should keep backing such grassroots, faith-aligned efforts (([www.salvationarmy.org.nz](https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz))) because, in his view, offering "life" and grace succeeds where negativity and exclusion have failed.
 Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts & Comments Podcast

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, chatting with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, chatting with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.