Changes to AOD Services Designed to Improve Access

Changes to Canterbury AOD Services Designed to Improve Access

Canterbury District Health Board says its new Alcohol and Drug framework will not exclude people involved in the justice system from specialist addiction treatment as was suggested in today’s The Press (15.3.10).

“In fact CDHB is planning a number of changes to its Alcohol and Drug Service to provide better access for all people and in particular improved outcomes for those in the justice system,“ CDHB’s CEO David Meates said.

“Part of this work includes collaborating with Community Probation Services to ensure the needs of people within the justice system are met."

Historically there have been issues with inequity of access to CDHB AOD services for people who have had criminal charges pending against them, with some services providing access and others not.

The Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Framework, endorsed by Canterbury DHB in November 2009, recommends that all people have access to community based services regardless of whether they have charges pending or are under a sentence. People who require a specialist intervention will also have access to this.

Mr Meates said, “the development of the AOD Framework included direct input from the National Addiction Centre as well as wider sector involvement which included primary care, consumers, their families, Maori, Corrections and specialist clinicians.” International and national research were reviewed to ensure that recommendations were evidence-based and solutions were developed for the specific needs of the Canterbury community.

“The Canterbury system will continue to ensure residential services are available to those people who need them but this will not necessarily involve containing people well beyond the time they want to remain in a highly controlled residential facility,” Mr Meates said.

“While experts in the field have voiced concerns regarding aspects of the AOD Framework the proposed direction is not at odds with the direction recommended by the National Addiction Centre,” he said.

“Justice clients will certainly have access to our services - the same services as other members of our community."

ENDS

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