The Criminal Bar Association is calling on the Government to fund more drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, to address the chronic shortage throughout the country.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Minutes from an Auckland and Waitemata District Health Board meeting held in July say there is growing demand for rehabilitation treatment beds, with two of the largest providers reporting waiting lists of about 80 people.
Association president Tony Bouchier said it was a nationwide problem and the association had lobbied for years for more facilities to be built.
He said it was a shame the Government has not given as much funding to rehabilitation centres as it has into investigating drug-related crime.