The ADA Act provides for the compulsory detention and treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts at certified institutions, and is administered by the <A href="http://www.moh.govt.nz/" target=_blank>Ministry of Health</A>. It also provides legal definitions of 'alcoholic' and 'drug addict'. <BR><BR>Detention under the Act can be either voluntary (applied for by the person requiring treatment) or involuntary (applied for by the person's relatives, a police officer or 'any other reputable person'). <BR><BR>Detention orders are made by District Court judges and can last up to two years.&nbsp; Most people are seldom detained for more than four months, and are often eligible for leave after six to eight weeks of treatment (based on satisfactory progress).<BR><BR>In practice, the Act is used infrequently, mainly for people with chronic alcohol dependence. <BR><BR>To look at the Act for free go to&nbsp;<A href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz/" target=_blank>New Zealand Legislation</A>.<BR><BR>

The ADA Act provides for the compulsory detention and treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts at certified institutions, and is administered by the Ministry of Health. It also provides legal definitions of 'alcoholic' and 'drug addict'.

Detention under the Act can be either voluntary (applied for by the person requiring treatment) or involuntary (applied for by the person's relatives, a police officer or 'any other reputable person').

Detention orders are made by District Court judges and can last up to two years.  Most people are seldom detained for more than four months, and are often eligible for leave after six to eight weeks of treatment (based on satisfactory progress).

In practice, the Act is used infrequently, mainly for people with chronic alcohol dependence.

To look at the Act for free go to New Zealand Legislation.