"Chronic underfunding": Data reveals postcode gap, delays in addiction rehab referrals

Where people live could dictate how quickly they're seen by addiction services.  

Health New Zealand figures obtained by Newstalk ZB show more than two thirds of drug and alcohol referrals were within three weeks.  

But only 40.3% in Manawatū's MidCentral health district met that timeframe.  

Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm told Ryan Bridge the addiction space has been chronically underfunded over many years.  

She says wait times in general are too long – the window of opportunity for somebody with addiction who's interested in making a change is very short. 

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