INDEPENDENT NEWS

New Acolhol & Drug Programme Launch

Published: Tue 19 Dec 2000 11:43 AM
MINISTER OF HEALTH TO LAUNCH NEW NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAMME
Minister of Health, Hon. Annette King will tomorrow launch a new national programme for NSAD Care, the operating company of the National Society on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence established nearly 50 years ago.
The new programme will be launched in conjunction with the opening of a new NSAD Care treatment facility at Kapiti and comes as a response to health sector changes outlined in the new New Zealand Public Health and Disability legislation, passed by parliament earlier this month.
NSAD Care provides outpatient and residential treatment services throughout the North Island with counsellors providing quality treatment for both individuals and their families. NSAD Care operates nine outpatient clinics, and residential services on three sites at Marton, Arohata Prison, and Ohura Prison.
NSAD Care Chairman Terrence FitzGerald said, “NSAD Care is committed to minimising the impact of substance abuse and dependence in the lives of those New Zealanders and their families at risk from, or dependent upon alcohol and drugs.
“NSAD Care is supportive of the increased representation of Maori, Pacific Islanders and women on the new district health boards and of the overall devolution of planning and funding responsibility to New Zealand communities at a local level as outlined in the newly passed New Zealand Health and Disability Bill.
“However, as a charitable organisation with limited resources for the promotion and administration of our services at a local level, we are also aware the new challenge we and other non-governmental organisations face in developing strong relationships with individual district health boards.
“The opening of our new Kapiti Clinic at Coastlands provides an excellent opportunity to launch our new national programme which will address these issues, and redevelop the co-ordination of our services under the new district health board structure.”
“The human and financial costs of alcohol and drug abuse and dependence are huge. Each year thirty thousand New Zealanders seek treatment at a cost of $52 million. Research carried out by the Christchurch School of Medicine, (The Christchurch Psychiatric Epidemiological Study 1989), showed that 19 percent of New Zealanders suffered from Alcohol Abuse or Dependence at some point in their life and 5.7 percent of New Zealanders suffered from Drug Abuse or Dependence at some point in their life. This graphically illustrates the need for proven interventions being available in our community and in the case of serious dependence the opportunity to be treated residentially.
“We must also be aware that the debate over the decriminalisation of cannabis sometimes overshadows the need for intervention, particularly with our young people. A second study carried out by the Christchurch School of Medicine, (Professor David Ferguson, Christchurch Health and Development Study), showed that a staggering 9 percent of young people in New Zealand are dependent on cannabis by 21 years old. This includes 15 percent of Maori and 8 percent Tauiwi (non-Maori) by 21 years old.
“As one of New Zealand’s leading providers of alcohol and drug treatments services, NSAD Care seeks to provide a continuum of care, from early intervention through to residential in-patient treatment. Our goal is to support our clients in regaining a fully independent life.
“Under our new national programme, we will provide for many different communities within society – including both corporate and youth sectors.
“This coming year will also see NSAD Care further developing our Drug Free Workplace services, expanding our therapeutic residential programme and building upon the excellent results of the Drug Free Units we have established in New Zealand prisons,” Mr FitzGerald said.
“We are honoured that the Minister of Health Hon. Annette King has agreed to launch our new national programme and open our new clinic at Kapiti tomorrow (Wednesday 20 December).”
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Terrence FitzGerald
Chairman
NSAD Care
Phone: 04 385 1517
Mobile: 025 241 2101 Tim Harding
Chief Executive
NSAD Care
Phone: 04 385 1517
Mobile: 025 306 669
NSAD CARE
NATIONAL PROGRAMME LAUNCH AND OPENING OF KAPITI CLINIC
20 DECEMBER 2000
DATE
Wednesday 20 December 11am-12.30pm
VENUE
Rimu Room, Level 2, Coastlands, Paraparaumu
FORMATTING FOR THE FUNCTION
11am: Guests arrive at the Rimu Room, greeted by NSAD Care Deputy Chair Lorraine Christie and Kapiti Manager Heidi Kleinschmidt (for local contacts). NSAD Care Chairman Terrence FitzGerald and Chief Executive Tim Harding will also be onsite to greet the Minister of Health, Hon. Annette King and Mayor Iride McCloy.
11.10am: NSAD Care Chairman Terrence FitzGerald welcomes guests and invites board representative Bill Nathan to give a prayer.
11.12am Bill Nathan says prayer. Mr FitzGerald then introduces NSAD Care Chief Executive Tim Harding.
11.15 Tim Harding, Chief Executive
Tim Harding outlines planning for NSAD Care’s new National Programme and introduces the new Kapiti Clinic. Mr Harding invites Minister of Health Hon. Annette King to speak.
11.20am: Minister of Health Hon. Annette King
Hon. Annette King acknowledges the opening of the Kapiti Clinic and the launch of the NSAD Care new National Programme.
11.29am: Tim Harding introduces Mayor of Kapiti Iride McCloy
11.30am: Mayor of Kapiti Iride McCloy
Mayor Iride McCloy recognises the opening of the Kapiti Clinic from a local perspective and the launch of the NSAD Care new National Programme.
11.35am Tim Harding invites Chairman Terrence FitzGerald on behalf of the staff of NSAD care to present the Minister of Health Hon. Annette King with some “seeds of hope” from the New Zealand native flower Clematis Paniculata, the national symbol for NSAD Care. The seeds represent the growth and new life that will emerge from NSAD Care’s new national programme and new Kapiti Clinic.
11.40am: Presentations conclude: Tim Harding invites guests to attend a light lunch and visit the Kapiti Clinic by arrangement with Heidi Kleinschmidt.

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