The NZ Drug Foundation is welcoming a new substance harm action plan that it says has many interventions the sector has long called for.
The government’s Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm 2026 – 2029 was announced by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey this morning. (ref. https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/action-plan-to-prevent-and-reduce-substance-harm-2026-2029 )
Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says the plan has a strong focus on early intervention and peer-based support.
“We’re delighted to see some of the cost-effective, commonsense solutions we’ve long called for set out in the government’s action plan,” she says.
“Many of the new actions in this plan came directly from a summit we convened with the addictions and harm reduction sector last year. It’s a real credit to Minister Doocey and the Ministry of Health that they’ve taken what came out of the summit seriously, consulted further with the sector, and put many of the solutions we’ve all called for into a clear roadmap.”
The plan includes a range of new actions and initiatives, including:
- Establishing a community-based peer follow-up service for people who’ve been discharged after a non-fatal overdose or other drug harm event
- Improving access to overdose reversal medication and overdose prevention training
- Investing in community-based mutual aid and peer-led services
- Expansion of the Pregnancy and Parenting Service to support women and whānau with substance use issues
- Support to grow the skills and expertise of the addictions and harm reduction workforce.
Helm says the interventions will save lives and save the health system money.
“One of the biggest predictors of a fatal overdose is having had a non-fatal overdose previously, so the peer follow-up service for people who’ve been hospitalised after a drug harm event is an absolute no-brainer,” she says. “Glasgow runs a similar service that has seen great success. I have no doubt it will save lives here.”
“We’re also really pleased to see more investment in community-based mutual aid and peer support groups, which will increase the options for people with addiction issues to get accessible support early,” Helm says. “These groups provide spaces for people experiencing problems to support each other to make changes. For many people this approach can be an effective way to prevent more serious harms that would cost the health system much more down the track.”
“It’s also great to see an emphasis on overdose prevention, including improving access to overdose reversal medication, information and training. We’ve been calling for action on this for a very long time.”
