New Zealand: New law could force more people with drug and alcohol dependencies into compulsory rehabilitation

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New Zealand: New law could force more people with drug and alcohol dependencies into compulsory rehabilitation

23 February 2017

By Rachel Thomas

More drug and alcohol addicts could be forced into treatment programmes as the result of a recent law change, which has raised questions about whether rehabilitation centres will be able to cope.

The Substance Addiction Act became law last week. It simplifies the process for police, health services and loved ones to force those locked in a cycle of substance abuse into compulsory treatment.

But Wellington addiction clinician Roger Brooking said is was unclear whether the health sector could cope with a spike in rehab patients given there were only four approved centres across the country, and those centres were already full.

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Thumbnail: Flickr CC Mariela M.