Te Ngahere
8-week Intensive Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programme
Te Ngāhere Intensive Treatment Programme, Christchurch Women’s Prison
Te Ngāhere, the 8-week Intensive Alcohol And Drug Treatment Programme at Christchurch Women’s Prison is funded by the Department of Corrections. Content is strengths-based, trauma informed and gender specific.
The primary goal is to encourage women to look at their alcohol and drug use and grow connections to whānau, tikanga and their own cultural identity. The programme echoes the four seasons taking participants on a journey to reveal their connections and their mana.
Participants are supported to explore what has been harmed or broken because of their substance use and how they might be able to restore wellbeing. Participants receive extensive assessment, individual and group therapy as well as educational and structured activities.
Participants who graduate the programme can elect to work with a member of the Aftercare team for up to a year after graduation. Aftercare support is delivered both within the prison, if a client remains in prison after graduation, and within the community. It consists of group and individual therapy.
Aftercare workers help to build a network of support around an individual and can also work with whanau or family members, employers, Community Probation Officers and others who the client identifies as a significant support in maintaining change.
Referrals to the Intensive Treatment Programme are managed by the Department of Corrections.