Justice Minister Judith Collins has marked the first hearings at the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court pilot sitting in Auckland and Waitakere District Courts today. Ms Collins says it is extremely pleasing the pilot Court is now up and running, helping to reduce re-offending by supporting offenders who make a serious commitment to change. "This AODT Court is a first for New Zealand. I am delighted we now have a Court that can deliver a new holistic approach to reducing re-offending. "The AODT Court gives offenders an opportunity to confront the drug and alcohol dependency that has fuelled their offending, giving them the tools and support they need to free themselves from a life of addiction. "Re-offending has fallen by almost 7 per cent over the past year. If we are to continue delivering results, we need to explore innovative new ways of working. The AODT Court is a perfect example of this in action," Ms Collins says. When the pilot Court has been running for a significant length of time, it will be evaluated for success in treatment outcomes, reduction in reoffending, and cost effectiveness. Follow this link: First Alcohol and Drug Court hearings … Continue reading →

Leftover and unwanted medications sitting in a home can put families and communities at risk for prescription drug abuse, diversion and unintentional poisoning. On Thursday, Oct. 31, Lincoln County Sheriffs Department launched a permanent prescription drug drop-off effort as part of its wider plan to reduce prescription drug abuse in Lincoln County. MedReturn Drug Collection Units, obtained through Montana Department of Justices Operation Medicine Cabinet Montana have been placed in Libby and Troy and will provide a safe, easy to use, always available, commnity drug collection process. We have participated in one-day drop off events since 2010, said Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe. But prescription drug abuse is on the rise in our community and the potential for harm is very real. One-day collection events are great, but we can do more. Its like a take back program every day. According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than six million Americans abuse prescription drugs. That same study revealed more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet. Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 31, … Continue reading →