(Cape Catley, pb,
$22.99)
..Coming from an ex-Auckland drug squad officer, this fictional work tells the story of Rotten, a gang prospect whose devotion to the gangtakes the reader on a drug-fuelled journey of violence, hatred and mistrust.
..The author tells it how it is: the fights, the drugs, the women and wars with rival gangs. ..This is a very readable account of the inner workings of an organised gang.
Cam Stokes' book on gangs, drugs anf violence comes with a personal disclaimer: "It's not a nice book, but I wanted to show people what they're really like."
The Waitakere-based former cop's novel The Devils Are Here centres around police working at the Takapuna police station.
It describes the pecking order of criminals, their methods and the repercussions of their actions in a grim and realistic way.
He was astounded at what he saw during his years in the force as a detective sergeant in charge of the Auckland motorcycle gang unit until 2004. Mr Stokes then went on to found Drugscene which provides training on the dangers of illegal drugs.
Publisher Christine Cole Catley from Cape Catley says he told her nobody realises how many gangs are operating in Auckland.
"I said 'even the North Shore?' and he said 'yes'."
He also told her that Beach Haven, often percieved to be one of the Shore's worst suburbs, had virtually no gang presence.
Mr Stokes, 43, believes gangs have their
roots deeply embedded in our society.
"They've got their fingers in all sorts of pies. We're never going to get rid of them."
Mr Stokes loathes the "ugly scene" of the gang culture, which goes largely undetected.
"The victims are usually from the underworld. Crimes are committed against people who don't make complaints to police."
Scenes in The Devils Are Here are taken from experience with the Hell's Angels, Headhunters, The Tribesmen, Highway 61 and the Forty.
Mr Stokes says the Headhunters keep a low profile compared with other, more confrontational gangs.
But they are linked to much of the drug dealing in the Waitakere area, especially methamphetamine, he says.
That includes stopping others from selling drugs unless they pay a tax.
"One member once got a prospect to chop a guy's finger off just for speaking out of turn."
Mr Stokes says there is no easy solution but stopping youths from joining is critical.
Gang life appeals to young people who have got nothing and are attracted to the wealth and respect and power.
"But most people don't realsie how powerful they are."
Mr Stokes believes the more exposed the members are the better.
He says the best way to fight methamphetamine abuse is to reduce demand rahter than supply.
"We need to make it uncool and get across what a nasty drug it is."
While gangs are seen to have camaraderie the truth is very different, says Mr Stokes, and in reality there is a lot of infighting.
A North Shore launch for the book was held on September 22 at Takapuna library, hosted by North Shore mayor Andrew Williams. Author Cam Stokes and Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey attended.