NEWS
Odyssey to open drug treatment unit within Auckland Prison:
The Department of Corrections today announced that Odyssey House has been selected to deliver an intensive drug treatment programme at a specialist unit at Auckland prison. The programme will deliver a shorter, more intensive programme targeted at prisoners serving sentences of between four and 12 months.
“We’re very excited by this opportunity because it has long been our ambition to provide treatment within the prison environment,” says Christine Kalin, CEO, Odyssey House Auckland.
“There are clear and well documented links between drug abuse and crime. A large number of prisoners have a life-long history of drug dependency and a significant amount of crime is committed by offenders who are affected by drugs or alcohol on the day of their offending.”
“Providing opportunities for prisoners with addictions to access treatment and receive support to address underlying issues therefore makes good sense. Studies show that this approach is an effective way to reduce reoffending.”
In 2009 the Government announced it’s commitment to double the number of places in prison providing drug and alcohol treatment from 500 to 1000 prisoners per year by 2011. To meet this commitment, three new Drug Treatment Units are planned. The first, at Otago Corrections Facility, opened in March. The third will open at Wanganui Prison in 2011.
Corrections Assistant General Manager, Brendan Anstiss, says that the new unit will add to the seven currently operating in prisons across the country and provide treatment to prisoners who may previously not have been eligible.
“The unit will house 48 prisoners, and run three courses a year – providing treatment for an additional 144 prisoners in the Auckland area.”
"Reducing the demand for drugs in prison is a major focus for us. Giving prisoners the opportunity to beat their addictions is half the battle, the other is keeping drugs out and restricting their supply. We are winning this battle, our positive random drug tests are their lowest ever at 10.5 per cent across the country.
A Clinical Manager has been appointed to direct the programme and five qualified addiction counsellors are being sought to deliver it.
The programme will operate as a therapeutic community within the prison environment, similar to other treatment units. It is not directed at substance abuse in isolation, but considers the whole person. Social, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive problems often precede drug use and are made worse by continued drug abuse.
The treatment aims to instil maturity and appropriate values in a person, and help them to maintain a responsible drug-free lifestyle. It also assists in changing negative patterns of behaviour and feelings that influence drug use. Prisoners develop a comprehensive relapse prevention plan during treatment to assist their release from prison.
Odyssey House Trust is one of New Zealand’s leading drug, alcohol and gambling addiction treatment organisation, utilising the internationally proven Therapeutic Community Model. Odyssey is a dynamic and growing organisation that has extensive experience in developing and delivering alcohol, drug, and problem gambling assessment and treatment services across the Northern Region.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Christine Kalin
CEO, Odyssey House Auckland
09 623 1447
027 277 0323
chrisk@odyssey.org.nz:
or
Communications Service Desk
Department of Corrections
04 460 3365
commdesk@corrections.govt.nz