Alcohol & Other Drug Intensive Treatment Review

PRESS RELEASE

Central Region Alcohol And Other Drug Intensive Treatment Review

A review carried out by the Central Region Mental Health and Addiction Network (CRMHAN) is recommending significant changes in the way intensive alcohol and other drug interventions are delivered in the Central Region.

David Meates, the CEO for Wairarapa DHB who holds regional responsibility for mental health, says the draft Central Region Alcohol and Other Drug Intensive Treatment Review, which was released today, was developed last year with the help of a regional working group. It relates to the Central Region; the areas covered by Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley, Whanganui, Mid Central, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay District Health Boards.

“The CRMHAN reviewers looked at the types of intensive alcohol and drug services currently available in the Central Region. Consultation meetings and discussions were held with the alcohol and drug sector throughout the review process, and those discussions indicated an overall preference for providing local intensive options, social detoxification, supported accommodation, and community support”, said Mr Meates. “The proposed model of service delivery, as recommended in the draft review fits the direction of New Zealand national policy”.

The plan proposes the establishment of a supervised supported accommodation house in the main metropolitan centre of each district. Associated local intensive day programmes will also be put in place. The supported accommodation will be used for:
- Social detoxification,
- Orientation to residential treatment/respite,
- Post residential treatment step down,
- Respite while attending intensive day programmes.

The review also proposes that existing residential services in the Central Region receive additional resources, to enable them to provide more treatment places in a more flexible manner, including improved support for people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug disorders

The coordination and utilisation of these intensive services would be managed by a regional coordinator, within a suggested regional structure based on existing systems.

Mr Meates says the implementation of the plan, once it is finalised, is expected to take up to two years, and would represent considerable new financial investment in the alcohol and drug sector for the region. “It will provide a number of new and convenient local services that are delivered in a consistent framework across the region”.

Written public submissions are now invited prior to the 1 April 2004. Oral submissions can be made at district, Maori, and Pacific Peoples public meetings in late March.

ENDS

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