MAORI 'TWICE AS LIKELY' TO DEVELOP DRUG ADDICTION

Maori Are More at Risk of Developing Drug Addictions Than Other
Ethnic Groups, an Addiction Expert Says.

National Addiction Centre director Professor Doug Sellman said today
that after considering variables such as age, gender, education and
household income, Maori were twice as likely to have lifetime
substance use disorders than other ethnic groups.

"Even though the reasons for this result are not yet fully
understood, it does serve to underscore the pressing need for
effective services for Maori in the area of addiction," Prof Sellman said.

He will present his study at the Australasian Therapeutic Communities
Association conference in Auckland tomorrow.

Conference co-organiser and chief executive of addiction treatment
centre Odyssey House in Auckland, Christine Kalin, said the findings
were no surprise to her.

"At Odyssey House ... we see the results of this over-representation
of Maori in substance abuse statistics first-hand," she said.

"We believe making addiction services accessible for Maori is of huge
importance."

Prof Sellman said that while complete recovery from severe addiction
was relatively rare, recovery of a worthwhile life was achievable.

"But to achieve this, people must be retained in treatment for
longish periods of time to consolidate behaviour change and skills
acquisition," he said.

New Zealand First MP Pita Paraone said the Government should provide
effective addiction services for Maori.

"Results of the recent study showing Maori are at least twice as
likely as non-Maori to develop drug addictions and to suffer higher
rates of mental illness are clear signs that help is needed."

He said the over-representation of Maori at or near the bottom of
most social indicators was the root of the problem.

"Make no mistake, the languishing of Maori at the bottom of the heap
is a problem for all of us.

"We cannot hold our heads up as a progressive democratic society in
the face of these statistics," Mr Paraone said.