CORPORATE OFFICE
Level 1
32 Oxford Terrace
Telephone: 0064 3 364 4160
Christchurch Central
Fax: 0064 3 364 4165
CHRISTCHURCH 8011
[email address]
18 October 2017
Email: [FYI request #6576 email];
Dear Jason,
RE Official information request CDHB 9706
I refer to your email dated 20 September 2017 requesting the following information from the Canterbury District
Health Board under Section 12 of the Official Information Act.
I would like information about the Christchurch Methadone Program / Christchurch Opioid Recovery
Service staff reporting OST patients to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) or NZ Police when they
screen positive for other drugs, in particular cannabis.
Please find attached a copy of the specific protocol in regard to the Christchurch Opioid recovery Service reporting
patients to NZTA.
How many patients have been reported to the NZTA or NZ police by staff at the Christchurch Methadone
Program / Christchurch Opioid Recovery Service in the last 5 years for screening positive for cannabis?
Please provide a breakdown by year.
This information is not recorded in a way that is able to be collated and is noted in individual client clinical files
only. Therefore we are unable to provide this information.
I would also like any memos, emails, directives, instructions, guidelines, policies etc. regarding the
reporting of patients to the NZTA or NZ Police for positive urine screens for cannabis and other drugs. I am
not asking for confidential patient information.
Please see the attachments. The protocol, relevant sections of the NZTA fitness to drive document, and the
National OST guidelines are the guiding documents. The wider SMHS has a policy around notifications of
consumers under Section 19 of the Mental Health Compulsory Assessment and treatment Act, which is only
relevant for those consumers under Section 30 or 31 of the Act. I have also included this policy for your
information.
I trust that this satisfies your interest in this matter.
Yours sincerely
Carolyn Gullery
General Manager
Planning, Funding & Decision Support