Dear John

Parliamentary Service staff are offered an Employee Assistance Programme, which provides independent advice and assistance.

-----Original Message-----
From: John Gray [mailto:[FOI #3990 email]]
Sent: Wednesday, 11 May 2016 4:54 p.m.
To: David Stevenson <[Parliamentary Service request email]>
Subject: Official Information Act request - What assistance is available to Parliamentary Staff/Members with substance abusive issues?

Dear Parliamentary Service,

I understand that the Service is not covered under the OIA 1982, found under s2(1). However, it is my hope that you will still be able to provide the below information as you have done so in the past in both my personal and public requests. The Service is held in high regard amongst those who use this site for co-operating in requests for information, promptly.

In light of a parliamentary member's behavior & subsequent ejection from the debating chamber today during Question Time (11.05.2016) I have become concerned that a high ranking official in our Government may be suffering from addiction issues, namely, alcoholism.

Making reference to the Intoxication Assessment Tool found on a subsidiary website of the Crown Entity, Health Promotion Agency, alcohol.org.nz (http://alcohol.org.nz/resources/intoxica...)

The Intoxication Assessment Tool lists some example indicators of intoxication which I believe were displayed by the member today, namely; Speech indicators of intoxication: Slurring, nonsensical, unintelligible.
Appearance indicators of intoxication: inability to focus, dishevelled Behavior indicators of intoxication: Seriously inappropriate actions or language, aggressive, rude, belligerent, obnoxious behaviour affecting other members

The indicators shown by the member today were not unique to today's Question Time and are behavior's that have been consistently displayed over a long period of time.
It is particularly troubling that the member was displaying these behaviors while in a place of business during daylight hours while on the national stage showing a blatant disregard for their own well-being.

Alcoholism is a battle fought by many across our country and I feel strongly that help should be provided where ever possible to help people overcome their demons.

My questions are:

1) What assistance is available to Parliamentary Staff, including Members of Parliament, to help them overcome their substance abusive?

2) Is there a method for ensuring that the staff member get's the help they need?

I understand this request may come across as a bad joke, but I would like to reiterate that alcoholism is a serious disease and that I couldn't live with myself if I just stood by idly watching someone destroy their own heath & well being, and that perhaps they were unaware of the assistance available to them.

Yours faithfully,

John Gray

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