New addiction treatment facilities for Auckland City Mission
Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister
Hon David Clark
Minister of Health
13 June 2018
PĀNUI PĀPĀHO
MEDIA STATEMENT
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced Government funding to increase the number of beds available in Auckland for drug and alcohol detoxification by 50 per cent.
“A huge number of Kiwi families will have experienced the terrible harm and distress that come from alcohol or drug dependency. As a community we need to do more to support people that are living with addiction,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“We know that dedicated detoxification and treatment programmes make a significant difference. Demand for these services is high and too often people are waiting too long to get the help they need.
“To help ease that pressure, Cabinet has approved $16.7 million in one-off funding to build two floors of the Auckland City Mission’s new Mission HomeGround development.”
Currently there are a total
of 20 detox beds funded in the Auckland region, which will
be moved to Mission HomeGround once it is complete in two
years’ time. All up it will house 30 studio units (15
medical detox beds and 15 social detox beds) – allowing
for an increase of ten beds.
The $16.7 million will be drawn from money recovered under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
Health Minister Dr David Clark said the detoxification services currently provided by the Auckland City Mission are tried and true.
“They have outstanding GPs, nurse practitioners and social workers with specialist qualifications in alcohol and drug counselling, mental health, Te Ao Māori, elder care and violence and trauma.
“These new facilities will make a good service even better by creating an environment that supports recovery and wellbeing. It will feature a visitor area, access to outdoor space and a gym. Several of the units will also be designed for people with physical disabilities,” said David Clark.
“This development will help turn lives around. I can’t think of a better use of the funds recovered from the proceeds of crime than that,” Jacinda Ardern said.
ends