http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news Latest News from Odyssey House, Auckland en-US http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/113 Odyssey House Auckland clients are giving back to the community and learning new skills by building planter boxes for international housing charity Habitat for Humanity. The partnership between the two organisations enables Odyssey clients to help provide much-needed funds for Habitat for Humanity’s low-cost housing projects, according to Odyssey House Auckland CEO Phil Grady (on left in photograph). “Basically our clients turn the raw materials supplied by Habitat for Humanity into lovely planter boxes that get sold for a profit. It’s a real win-win situation that gives our clients great satisfaction and enables Habitat to get on with the job,” he says. Habitat for Humanity builds, renovates, and sells low-cost houses with the aim of eliminating sub-standard housing in New Zealand and around the world. The organisation also sells building materials and homeware such as the planter boxes through its ReStore retail shop at 8 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki. “We took delivery of Odyssey’s first batch of planters just before Christmas and they went straight out the door,” says Habitat for Humanity Resource and Development Manager Conrad LaPointe (shown on the right). “We rely on volunteers to keep Habitat for Humanity working so we’re over the moon about how well it’s working. “Each box costs around $15 in materials but retails for $35. Right now the boxes that Odyssey clients are making for us are bringing in about $500 per month – that’s a significant contribution to our funding. “We’re very proud to partner with Odyssey House, one of New Zealand’s foremost addiction treatment providers, and we expect it to be the start of a long and fruitful relationship.” For more information go to www.habitat.org.nz. Tue, 6 March 2012 00:00:00 +1300 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/113 http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/112 Hollywood actor and addiction treatment advocate Chris Lawford will speak at Odyssey House Auckland at 10.30am on Thursday 23 February at 56 Bollard Avenue, New Windsor. The only child of actor Peter Lawford and Patricia Kennedy, Mr Lawford is a nephew of John F Kennedy and a cousin-in-law of Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has more than 15 years experience in film and TV as an actor, lawyer, executive, and producer. His acting credits include The World’s Fastest Indian, Terminator 3, The Doors, The Russia House, and the TV soap operas All My Children and General Hospital. “Behind the glamour, Mr Lawford battled drug and alcohol addiction for much of his young life. In recovery for more than 25 years, he now dedicates most of his time and energy to advocating for effective drug and alcohol addiction treatment programmes worldwide,” says Odyssey House Auckland CEO Philip Grady. In 2011, Mr Lawford was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to promote activities supporting drug treatment, care, and recovery. Mr Lawford will be visiting Odyssey House Auckland’s Bollard Avenue site at 10.30am, where a powhiri will welcome him. He will address the residents and then meet with small groups of Odyssey clients for informal talks. For further information, please contact: Philip Grady CEO, Odyssey House Auckland 09 623 1447 027 569 7783 philipg@odyssey.org.nz Thu, 23 February 2012 00:00:00 +1300 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/112 http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/87 Amplify!, Odyssey House Auckland’s highly successful schools-based programme designed for youth at risk of problems with alcohol and drugs, received funding from alcohol-free fundraising initiative FebFast 2011. Participants in FebFast 2011 went alcohol-free for the month of February to raise money which was then distributed to organisations that reduce the impact of alcohol and other drug problems among young people. The Amplify! Programme is operating in four schools in the Waitemata DHB area, and four schools in Auckland City. Amplify! dramatically reduced or eliminated alcohol and drug use amongst many at-risk students who participated. Participants are more likely to remain at school and less likely to engage in anti-social behaviour like drug dealing, violence, and bullying. They improve their relationships with their families and say they feel happier and calmer. Early intervention and treatment in schools is a cost-efficient approach to drug abuse prevention in New Zealand. Odyssey's dream is that every school in the country will be able to offer this programme so we were delighted that Amplify! was chosen to receive funds from FebFast 2011. Young people and school staff are universally positive about the service. In fact, the main complaint was that there were not enough sessions available in schools. The service has been developed in partnership between Odyssey House Auckland, school principals and governors, specialist drug and youth services, DHBs, local police and youth justice agencies, parents, and young people. The programme enables young people to set and achieve their own goals, and empowers them to address problems across a wide spectrum, not just alcohol and drugs. It is delivered by a team of Youth Practitioners who work as members of each school’s student support service, which makes it easier for young people to access. For further information, please contact: Philip Grady CEO, Odyssey House Auckland 09 623 1447 philipg@odyssey.org.nz Thu, 20 January 2011 00:00:00 +1300 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/87 http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/86 The first group of prisoners at Auckland Prison’s new Drug Treatment Unit have this week begun a three month intensive programme aimed at reducing their misuse of alcohol and drugs. The new unit will be officially opened by Corrections Minister Hon Judith Collins in November and will be the first Drug Treatment Unit (DTU) to operate in the greater Auckland area. It forms part of the commitment to increase the number of addiction treatment programme places in prisons from 500 to 1000 by the end of 2011. “Ultimately, prisoners who succeed on this programme will have a reduced likelihood of reoffending, making our communities safer,” says Dr Brendan Anstiss, Assistant General Manager Prison Services. “The continued misuse of drugs and alcohol by offenders undermines the integrity of their sentences and compromises their ability to make positive changes in their lives. Ongoing abuse of substances also increases the chances that they will reoffend after leaving prison.” “Drugs and alcohol are a major driver of crime. In 2007 seven out of ten offenders apprehended by Police were under the influence of drugs leading up to their arrest,” says Dr Anstiss. The 12 week prison programme is run by clinical staff from the Odyssey House Auckland Trust and is targeted at prisoners serving shorter prison sentences of between four and twelve months. At any time there will be 48 prisoners at various phases of the programme, with a maximum of 12 prisoners in each phase. Odyssey House Auckland have been a provider of drug, alcohol and gambling addiction treatment in New Zealand communities since 1980. CEO of the Trust, Christine Kalin says to be accepted on the programme prisoners must to acknowledge they have an addiction and accept they need to do something about it. “The unit will operate as a therapeutic community within the prison environment. 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,” she says. “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.” Fri, 8 October 2010 00:00:00 +1300 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/86 http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/85 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. For further information, please contact: Philip Grady CEO, Odyssey House Auckland 09 623 1447 philipg@odyssey.org.nz or Communications Service Desk Department of Corrections 04 460 3365 commdesk@corrections.govt.nz Wed, 16 June 2010 00:00:00 +1200 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/85 http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/84 MEDIA RELEASE Odyssey House Trust strongly endorses the Law Commission's report on controlling and regulating drugs recommendations to enshrine drug treatment options in law and encourage police and the courts to divert people with addictions into treatment, says Christine Kalin, CEO of Odyssey House. “But any such approach must go hand-in-hand with increased funding for treatment,” says Ms Kalin. “We would like to see the Government include addiction treatment within its main health priorities, rather than allow it to remain the poor cousin when it comes to funding. “What the report does is provide a framework for reversing the significant under-funding in the addiction treatment sector. In other words, the Law Commission has attached a winching cable to the ambulance but we have yet to start hauling it to the top of the cliff.” Approximately 160,000 New Zealanders currently have severe drug and alcohol addiction problems – but only about 22,000 of them are able to access treatment each year. And yet, as the Law Commission report says, “for every $1 spent on addiction treatment there is [an estimated] $4 to $7 reduction in the cost associated with drug-related crimes”. Meanwhile, “the number of treatment services does not appear to be sufficient to meet demand”. “Many addiction treatment providers in New Zealand operate with a lengthy waiting list for places,” says Ms Kalin. “With seriously addicted people there is often only a small window of opportunity during which they are motivated to seek treatment. If we miss that window, we can lose people forever to crime, anti-social behaviour, self-harm, and an early death.” Addiction treatment is not a soft option – on the contrary, many treatment providers can offer examples where people have chosen prison over treatment because they find incarceration less confronting. “Consequently, we tend to agree with the report’s recommendations around limited compulsory interventions,” says Ms Kalin. “Studies show there is little difference in outcomes between people who enter addiction treatment voluntarily and those who are compelled to enter treatment. And compulsory intervention may give some severely addicted people their only chance to break out of the cycle of substance abuse and criminal offending.” For more information, please contact: Philip Grady CEO, Odyssey House Auckland 09 623 1447 philipg@odyssey.org.nz Fri, 12 February 2010 00:00:00 +1300 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/84 http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/83 More addiction treatment beds a big step in the right direction Increased funding for residential treatment beds will be great news for a host of people, not just those addicted to ‘P’, says Odyssey CEO Christine Kalin. “For every person addicted to ‘P’ there is a mother, a father, or a son or daughter who knows first-hand the devastation this drug causes,” says Ms Kalin. “As an organisation we applaud the Government for recognising the severity of this problem and the destructive nature of this drug – and putting their money where their mouth is.” Over the last 10 years the number of residential beds available to treat people addicted to alcohol and other drugs has been reduced. In the case of addictive drugs like ‘P’, residential treatment is a highly effective option because it seriously intervenes in the person’s life, removes them from the context of their drug use, and immerses them in a supportive environment that treats the root causes of their addiction. Odyssey House Auckland typically has at least 90 people on a waiting list for places in residential treatment because there simply are not enough beds to go around. “Every week I get at least one letter from a person or family member desperately pleading for access to a bed – it’s heartbreaking to have to turn them away,” says Ms Kalin. “For many people there is only a small window of opportunity during which they can be persuaded to get help, usually through third party pressure. If we lose them at that stage, we may never get them back. And by that I mean they often end up in jail or dead. It’s that serious. “That’s why this new funding is such excellent news. We have been advocating for extra beds for some time and we are incredibly pleased and grateful the Government has acted. “In practical terms this funding will enable the sector to treat more adults and young people, reduce waiting lists, and help turn around the lives of people addicted to ‘P’, and their families.” For more information, please contact: Philip Grady CEO, Odyssey House Auckland 09 623 1447 philipg@odyssey.org.nz Mon, 12 October 2009 00:00:00 +1300 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/83 http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/82 Odyssey House Auckland is launching a new youth outreach programme in four Auckland City schools with the support of the Vodafone NZ Foundation. The new programme is similar to outreach services Odyssey has established in schools in the Counties Manukau and Waitemata DHB regions. “We’re extremely pleased and grateful to receive the generous support of the Vodafone NZ Foundation so that we can undertake this very important work with high needs youth in Auckland,” says Odyssey House CEO Christine Kalin. “This programme will target school students who are at risk of being excluded from schooling because of drug use and equip them with the confidence and social skills needed to make better choices about their health, including drug use.” According to Vodafone NZ Foundation Manager, Annette Culpan, supporting the project is an excellent opportunity to further the Foundation’s aims. “The Vodafone NZ Foundation is focused on encouraging healthy outcomes for young New Zealanders. The Foundation is grateful for this chance to help support the local community,” she says. Core elements of the service will include group-based learning and educational sessions, supported family involvement, and one-on-one counselling where needed. Both of Odyssey’s already established schools outreach services have proven highly effective – in fact, the Counties programme recently won the Silver Award and the People’s Choice Award at the Celebrate Innovation and Excellence event run by the Counties Manukau Mental Health and Addiction Partnership. Young people in the schools have reported that the programmes help them to reduce the number, frequency, and amount of substances that they use, and improve their ability to remain in school and learn. “These programmes strengthen each school’s overall approach to drug education and encourages a peer-led approach that utilises the personal strengths, expertise, and leadership skills of young people,” says Ms Kalin. “We at Odyssey House are now eagerly looking forward to introducing this highly effective service in Auckland City.” Wed, 8 October 2008 00:00:00 +1300 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/82 http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/81 Two years ago, Odyssey House established a pilot youth outreach programme called Stand Up! in six south Auckland schools in partnership with Counties Manukau DHB and the schools themselves. Since then, the programme has been so successful it has now been funded for a further two and a half years. Not only that, but a sister programme – called ‘Amplify!’– has now been established in four schools in the Waitemata DHB area. The programme’s designer, Ben Birks, says it is successful because it puts young people in the centre of everything we do. “We are actively working together with them to help them identify what it is they want to get out of the programme, and then helping them get there,” he says. Ben has found that many of the young people have grown up in an environment where substance use is part of normal, everyday existence. “So to expect them while growing up to make a choice to never touch any of that stuff ever is quite a big ask for them,” says Ben. “For those youth, there’s a long way to go to get to abstinence. But we’re still promoting abstinence as the best way to go. We’re sending the clear message that the lowest possible drug and alcohol usage is the best, but within that, we need to be realistic.” The programmes have proven to be very effective, with almost every participant achieving the goals they have set for themselves by the end of the programme. “In terms of drug and alcohol use, most young people reduce the amount that they use, the number of substances that they use, and the frequency that they’re using it,” says Ben. The Stand Up! Programme has recently received a further boost, winning the Silver Award and the People’s Choice Award at the Celebrate Innovation and Excellence event run by the Counties Manukau Mental Health and Addiction Partnership. “It’s a testament to the work that we’ve done in partnership with the DHB and some really amazing schools, none of whom have an alcohol and drug problem, but all of whom are committed to seeing the best for their students.” Mon, 1 September 2008 00:00:00 +1200 GMT http://www.odyssey.org.nz/latest_news/id/81