Addiction Aotearoa. Whāriki champions unfinished fight against Inequity
The Government's response to the He Ara Oranga report on Mental Health and Addiction included the creation of a platform to share innovative practices and foster improvements in mental health and addiction services for all New Zealanders. Te Whāriki o te Ara Oranga (Whāriki) is a response to this call.
Te Tiriti-based and sector-owned, Whāriki's latest initiative is a series of workshops to be held across the sector in 2025. Details will appear in the Events pages of Horizon. Here's what the Whāriki team has to say about the intent.
Addiction is a critical health and social issue in Aotearoa, impacting public health and society at large. It disproportionately affects populations who face inequity and discrimination and is impacted by systemic injustice and disadvantage. The repercussions of addiction extend beyond the individual to whānau / families and communities. To effectively address these challenges, it's essential to explore the factors contributing to addiction, including the ongoing impacts of colonisation, and adopt an inclusive approach that involves service users, whānau, iwi, hapū, communities, social networks, and government.
This series brings together kaikōrero from across the sector, including frontline clinicians, policymakers, those with lived experience, indigenous knowledge holders, and sector leaders. Together, we will explore diverse perspectives and showcase innovative solutions aimed at driving meaningful change in addiction treatment and recovery.
You can leave your comment in the box below to take up this challenge and support the programme.
