Budget to provide $10m for drug and alcohol help

More than $10 million is to be earmarked for drug and alcohol programmes in the Budget.

The investment will include $6.53 million over four years to finance a depression awareness advertising campaign, $3.23 million over four years to drug reduction programmes, and $1.88 million over four years to help police enforce liquor laws.

Progressive leader Jim Anderton said the National Depression Initiative would pay for a media campaign, health workers' training and community programmes to help people with mild to moderate depression.

Depression and other mood disorders were a key factor causing suicide which could be treated if people sought help.

"Until now, too many of us have tended to stick our heads in the sand and pretend we could just ride out the depression," Mr Anderton said.

"We need to encourage people to seek help earlier."

The $3.23 million drugs spending would support ongoing efforts to reduce the demand for drugs and improve treatment services for drug addicts.

The money would set up five new community action programmes in communities with high drug use.

These would be decided in July with contracts in place by October, Mr Anderton said.

The $1.88 million alcohol spending would fund extra liquor licensing officers and their administrative support.

Mr Anderton said his two-man party, which is in coalition with Labour, had secured the Budget funding because it was determined to reduce the harm caused by drugs, drinking and depression.

- NZPA