Connections
LOAD
Publications
Media Releases
Submissions
Consumer Services
Addiction Services
Alcohol Drug Helpline
Click here to visit the Alcohol Drug Help Line
Click here to visit the Addictions Treatment Directory

Consumer Services

AOD Consumer Advisors and the Addiction Advocacy Service

Consumer Advisors

These are employed as a bridge between consumers and service providers. Advisors combine personal experience with professional skills and expertise to fill this role.

The South Island Regional Alcohol and other Drug Consumer Advisor is Marc Beecroft.  Marc has a passionate belief in the role that consumer input plays in the provision of quality Alcohol & other Drug Services.

Balclutha Bridge.jpg

National Mental Health Sector Standard 9

“Consumers are involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the services to ensure services are responsive to the needs of individuals”

Role of AOD Consumer Advisors

  • Provide a credible consumers perspective to Ministry of Health, DHBs (District Health Boards) and Non Governmental Organisations (NGO). 
  • Collaborate and participate with AOD Services with the view to improving service planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of their services. 
  • Develop a strong, informed and skilled consumer voice. 
  • Provide support & advice to services about consumer issues. 
  • Offer a reference point with other consumer and advocacy organisations including AOD networks such as LOAD (Liaison On Alcohol Drugs) Forums in the South Island. 
  • Consult and liaise with other consumer and advocacy organisations. 
  • Advise the AOD and mental health field on consumer issues.

Why Have Consumer Groups?

Consumer groups are a source of information, experience, and expertise willingly shared with the South Island Consumer Advisor(s), other consumers, providers, and the AOD field in general. This sharing of knowledge with AOD services and providers aims to improve results for people seeking alcohol and drug treatment.

To do this we need informed consumers/tangata whai ora to join a South Island network of groups.

Addiction Advocacy Service

As of February 2011, the Addiction Advocacy Service is no longer run by ADANZ and has been handed over to MHAPS (Mental Health Advocacy Peer and Support) .  The Addiction Advocacy Team can be contacted through their office number 03 366 8288 or by cell 027 814 4535. 

Explanation of Terms

Consumers/tangata whai ora are people who are using, or have used, an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service.

Consumer Advisors managed by ADANZ have a passionate belief in the role that consumer input plays in the provision of quality Alcohol and other Drug services.

Consumer groups are groups of consumers who meet regularly to discuss alcohol and other drug issues and keep the consumer advisor(s) informed about any concerns raised.

A Consumer representative is a person who has a mandate from other consumers to speak on behalf of a consumer group.

References

New Zealand Health Strategy
NZ Mental Health Standards
Building a National Network Review of Consumer Participation Guidelines For Effective Consumer Participation