Tim Harding, Chief
Executive of Care NZ
Tim Harding, Chief Executive of Care NZ, is uniquely well-qualified for his job heading the organisation that runs the drug treatment units at prisons around the country.
“I’ve lost a family member to drug use, been an addict myself, gone through detox and rehab, been a counsellor, educator, clinical director, hospital chief executive, and now I’m with Care NZ,” says Tim.
He believes his life experience and commitment to education and research give him the tools needed to deliver treatment services that work, and also to act as Chairman for both the New Zealand Drug Foundation and The Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand.
“The cornerstones of our work at Care NZ are honesty, open-mindedness and respect,” he says.
Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews says that Care NZ is expert at working within the prison environment and offers professional and effective addiction treatment services.
“The relationship between drugs and crime is well-documented, so Care NZ forms an important part of our rehabilitation services,” says Barry.
Up to 83 percent of prisoners have experienced addiction issues at some point in their lives and 60 percent of crime is committed by people who are affected by drugs or alcohol.
Currently there are 160 places available every year at the drug treatment units at Arohata, Waikeria and Christchurch Men’s Prisons, and Corrections plans to double the number of units over the next two years, with Waikeria also increasing the number of places on each programme from 50 to 100.
Tim says that most prisoners with addictions are grateful for a chance at treatment and are under no illusion that they will be magically cured.
“The programmes are no soft option,” Tim says. But he says they work. Without the programme, around 40 in 100 will re-offend within 24 months, but that figure drops by a quarter to 30 for those who have attended a Care NZ drug treatment programme.
To be eligible for a place in a drug treatment unit, prisoners are first assessed by a Care NZ programme facilitator who considers issues such as the part drugs played in the prisoner’s offending, their risk of reoffending and whether their sentence is long enough for them to complete the 24-week minimum programme.
Prisoners are then further assessed on their suitability to take part in the programme, as they must be prepared to maintain good conduct, actively participate in group sessions and remain drug and alcohol free.
Once accepted, prisoners receive at least 200 hours of face-to-face therapy, including both individual counselling and group sessions with other offenders.
Care NZ’s facilitators teach coping strategies for dealing with addiction, anger, stress and depression; communication skills; recreation and fitness; health and hygiene; and relapse prevention.
Prisoners become mentors towards the end of their time in the unit, helping other participants to work through the programme.
As participants approach release, an aftercare plan, which focuses on relapse prevention, is prepared by each prisoner, their counsellor and case officer. The plan may include referrals to community organisations and the development of a support structure involving whanau and drug-free friends.
Once released, programme graduates receive support from the Community Probation Service, as well as access to Care NZ or an alternative support service in their local community.
Tim says he and the Care NZ programme facilitators always hope they’ll never see the same people on their courses again.
“I’ve been there and I know that addiction is a chain. It drags you down and takes everything with it - your relationships, job, friends, children.”
Got a story for Corrections News or want to request the print edition?
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.
ISSN 1178-8453