Rotoroa Island addict refuge faces closure

By MARTIN JOHNSTON health reporter




A Hauraki Gulf island refuge for alcohol and drug addicts may be closed under a review by its owner, the Salvation Army.

The army has provided facilities for addicts on Rotoroa Island, east of Waiheke, since 1910, initially as a sentence in lieu of prison.

It receives state funding of more than $1 million a year to run a 40-bed residential treatment centre for drug and alcohol patients. The centre has 25 paid staff.

The prospect of closure raises the question of whether the 826,000sq m property would be sold. Its Government valuation is $6 million for the land and $1.05 million for its improvements.

An army source said it was unlikely the island would be sold in the foreseeable future. "They were offered $30 million for it five years ago, but nothing came of it."

The regional director of mental health services, Derek Wright, appointed by the region's health boards, yesterday confirmed that the Salvation Army was considering closing the island facility.

"They are looking to further develop their services. One of the issues they have been talking to us about is being much more community responsive, like mental health closing some of the facilities and developing services that are much more flexible."

The army's national manager of addictions and supportive accommodation, Major Lynette Hutson, was unwilling to give details of the review but her comments suggest that shifting the island centre to the mainland is a possibility.

"We have a very firm commitment to residential services ... It's where is the best place to do it and what's the best way to maximise ... "

Consideration of the closure follows a trend away from such facilities in remote or inaccessible areas - Hanmer Clinics in North Canterbury closed last November - and the wider move of most mental health care into the community and out of psychiatric hospitals.

This is partly to make taxpayer dollars go further and partly about a philosophy of caring for people in the context of their daily lives.

"It's a move to increase access and more day programmes," said the army source. "It's about the reality that many people don't need residential care and can be supported in the community. And it's about remote as opposed to community residential. Only then is it about cost."

Dr Ian Scott, the head of detox at the Waitemata District Health Board's community alcohol and drug services, said Rotoroa offered a superb programme which was particularly suitable for alcoholics and addicts who needed some "time out".

"The good thing about Rotoroa is that once you are there, it's very difficult to get off. In every other institution you can walk away."

While Rotoroa is facing possible closure, a new Auckland residential treatment facility opened this month: the Odyssey Family Centre in Avondale, for parents and children experiencing difficulties with substance abuse and gambling.

A real estate agent said that if Rotoroa went on the market it would attract strong local and overseas interest and could sell for over $12 million. But any sale to a private owner would not be straightforward.

"It would be extremely controversial. With any island sold in the Gulf into private ownership, naturally there would be those that believe it should be owned by the people."

ROTOROA ISLAND

Owned by the Salvation Army

Home to a farm and an alcohol and drug treatment centre.

The Government pays the Salvation Army more than a $1 million a year to run the 40-bed residential treatment programme.

Land valued at $6 million and improvements at $1.05 million.