Determined to break the cycle for her tamariki, one wāhine toa turns her troubled life of addiction and trauma around by rediscovering her wairua and reclaiming her mana.
MANA
OVER
METH
Jessica Apanui's methamphetamine addiction began as an escape from the trauma of a violent childhood. But after years of chronic abuse, she made the decision to break the cycle for her own tamariki. Now Jess must look deep into her past and embrace the power of Māoritanga to help guide her future.
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""Jess and Holly's story forces us to truly listen. And it's a full-body listen. Not just with our ears. Absorbing a specific woman's story, we bear witness and cannot help but see ourselves in her shoes. We see ourselves, and other women we know in those eyes."
- Dr Hinemoa Elder, New Zealand Herald
"If you need help, don't be afraid to ask. I did it, and you can too."
- Jessica Apanui
JESSICA APANUI
Hailing from Te Araroa, Jess grew up in a West Auckland home of violence and substance abuse: Jess was witness to things she can never unsee. At the age of 12, Jess started using drugs as a way to fit in and to mask the hurt and fear she was experiencing.
Her life continued to spiral out of control, hoping that becoming a mother would be the change she needed. Unfortunately, meth had sunk its hooks in deep and Jess had no way out. Eventually she started manufacturing meth in her West Auckland home.
This is her story.
Today, Jess is 3 years clean with the gift of Recovery. Now an advocate for helping whānau who are trying to get clean, she documents her journey on her Facebook page Life Beyond Meth (LBM) with 12,000 followers. Jess is a busy mother but is still committed every day to change her community, one addict at a time.
LOADING DOCS PRESENTS A HOLLY BECKHAM / JASON CRANE PRODUCTION
JESSICA APANUI IN MANA OVER METH
DIRECTED BY HOLLY BECKHAM
Mana Over Meth is part of the award-winning Loading Docs initiative, created to
develop New Zealand filmmaking talent. Loading Docs is funded by NZ On Air
with support from NZFC and Te Māngai Pāho. Mana over Meth was also generously
supported by Te Rau Ora, and crowd-funded with donations from those who
care about this korero.
Ngā mihi.