By KATHERINE HOBY
Commissioner for Children Roger McClay knows his office may never get back the $9000 it paid to get treatment for a 14-year-old drug addict.
But even if he does not embarrass other Government agencies into repaying him, he says it will be money well spent.
Mr McClay pledged on Thursday that his office would underwrite the cost of the Wellington boy's treatment at the Queen Mary Centre in Hanmer Springs after the boy's mother's plea for financial help was rejected by every Government agency she approached.
Health Minister Annette King has said she will look into the case.
But a spokesperson said yesterday that the minister wanted a briefing from the Health Funding Authority before commenting further.
Mr McClay said he decided that his office would pay after a clinical professional told him the boy would "rapidly deteriorate" unless he received treatment.
He said "not nearly enough effort and revenue" was going into youth mental health.
The boy's mother went to Hutt Valley Health, Special Education Services, Well Trust, the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, the Alcohol and Drug Service, the Health Funding Authority, the Health Ministry and the Social Services Minister in her quest for help.
Mr McClay said he would convene a meeting of a number of agencies next week to talk about the "dire situation."
"I really don't think we need any more reports," he said.
"We have had really good reports telling us what's needed. Let's work this out."
If the commissioner's office was not repaid the $9000 for boy's treatment, it would still be money well spent.
"If we get some progress and change, that will be money well spent for the young people of New Zealand."
Ohariu-Belmont MP Peter Dunne said the boy's mother approached him in desperation about her son's plight, after which he went to the commissioner.
He had since heard of a similar case involving a 15-year-old boy, who was now in a form of treatment.
"If these families were labelled dysfunctional, or these boys had committed a crime, they would be referred for treatment," he said.
"Once you become problematic enough, you get care."
Mr Dunne said the situation was "a huge bureaucratic mess."
"What has become clear is that if you've got these two examples emerging in the suburbs, how many more are there?"
Mr Dunne said one recognised agency should deal with children's mental health treatment issues.
McClay makes a $9000 point
McClay makes a $9000 point
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