Monday, August 31, 2009.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

I first became aware of the work of Pat Buckley and his trust, Amped4Life, earlier this year during the making of a documentary for TVNZ called “Chasing the Ghost.” This documentary explored the addictiveness and ravages of the drug “P,” or pure
methamphetamine, which has become a scourge upon New Zealand.

We filmed Pat speaking to a group of high school students. His message is about making the right choices in life, particularly in relation to “P,” alcohol and other drugs. I watched the students sit transfixed as Pat delivered his no-holds-barred, fast paced, tough address with a very graphic power-point presentation. Pat looks, sounds, and is, the real deal. The students knew it. Pat had them in the palm of his hand. I felt that day that Pat was one incredibly effective speaker and that the students will never forget his address. I have since arranged for Pat to speak to my son’s school in Havelock North. The effect on the students there was exactly the same as it was on the first occasion I saw him.

Pat is the kind of person we need needs to hammer into young people the terrible effects drugs and wrong choices can have on their lives. Pat himself made some terrible choices as a young man and has been drug and alcohol free for over fourteen years.

He is a good man who loves his family. I have no hesitation in recommending Pat Buckley as a guest speaker to every school in the country. All of your young people should see and hear Pat once. In fact, I think he should be compulsory. I can be contacted at any time to discuss Pat at: paulholmes@paulholmes.co.nz

Sincerely, Paul Holmes.