How to get help for illicit drug users

Action plans for parents, teachers and young people

How the Police can help

The police has a range specialist officers working in advisory and educational roles. Below is a list of the services New Zealand Police provide:

Police Education Officers work within schools promoting drug awareness and education. They can also play an advisory role to concerned teachers, parents and principals.
Youth Aid Officers traditionally work on a case-by-case basis with youth offenders. Youth Aid officers conduct disciplinary meetings, family conferences and look at alternative means of disciplinary action, such as restorative justice methods.
Drug Detectives primarily work in law enforcement, however periodically they conduct power point presentations on illicit drugs at teacher and parent/caregiver workshops.
Iwi/Pacific Liaison Officers can put you in contact with resources that are available within your iwi or pacific community. (If you are from a different racial or cultural group, you can talk to people within your cultural group, your doctor, or an information officer at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.)

If you wish to speak to one of these officers in confidence to raise your concerns, or to discuss an issue, contact your local police station.

Treatment, counselling centres and helplines

Alcohol Drug Helpline - This website contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date directory of all the addiction treatment and advice services available anywhere in New Zealand. Phone 0800 787 797.

Odyssey House - A popular treatment centre in Auckland that operates a range of specialist programmes for adolescents and adults experiencing difficulties with substance abuse.

WellTrust - A secondary school alcohol and drug support service for the Wellington region. They work with youth (10-19 years of age) who have, or are thought to have, alcohol or other drug problems. These young people are referred by schools, parents, self, CYFS, Police, Courts and other agencies.

Ethnic and gay services

Community Alcohol and Drug Services - A drug and alcohol counseling service that provides specific services for youth, Maori, Pacific islanders, Chinese and gay drug users in Auckland.

Also see: Alcohol Drug Helpline directory - Lists a variety of services for people from different cultural and racial groups.

Online information

New Zealand Drug Foundation - The New Zealand Drug Foundation provides information and policy analysis on key drug issues - this includes legal and illegal drugs. The Drug Foundation's website provides comprehensive information on alcohol and other drugs, including effects of their use as well as information on drug debates, including the Drug Foundation's policy positions on key issues. The website also provides resources for teachers, schools, health promoters, researchers, and anyone else with an interest in drug policy matters.

Needle and syringe programme

Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme - Information about needle exchange programmes around NZ.

Youth safety information

Urge - Provides information about keeping safe when taking drugs and gives guidelines for what to do in a crisis situation.