EXPLORING TE WHARE WHAKAPIKI WAIRUA/THE ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG TREATMENT COURT PILOT: THEORY, PRACTICE AND KNOWN OUTCOMES

Abstract

On 13 June 2017, the Minister of Justice, the Hon Amy Adams, announced a three-year extension to Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua/The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court (AODT Court). The AODT Court pilot commenced in November 2012 in Waitakere and Auckland District Courts and diverts from prison people whose addiction is associated with serious offending. Participants of the AODT Court are closely supervised by the AODT Court as they undertake a rigorous treatment programme. If participants complete their treatment plan, they graduate from the AODT Court and receive an intensive supervision order. The announcement by Minister Adams suggested that although there have been positive outcomes for participants of the AODT Court, it was still too early in the pilot to get a longitudinal perspective on the efficacy of the programme.