Media statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Turner backs call for detox centres
UnitedFuture health spokesperson Judy Turner is backing the call from the Police Association for detoxification centres
to be provided for drunken people taken into custody by police.
“The Association is quite right,” she says, “the police are not there to act as health professionals, they should not be
the place of first resort to deal with the problems of drunks who may have health problems.
“The problem has been recognised since 1966 at least and detox centres have been allowed for but never funded.
“As Association president Greg O’Connor says “The Health Ministry has a responsibility to provide proper facilities for
these people, and it’s time they stopped expecting police to provide a free health service they are not equipped to
perform.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” says Mrs Turner.
ENDS