Mental Health and Substance Disorders in the New Zealand Justice System

This study explores the correlation between mental health and substance abuse in the New Zealand justice system. It focuses on a case study of a woman suffering from mental disorder, addiction, and violence. The report discusses the underlying causes, legislation, systems, and processes related to the case, as well as the role of court recommendations and subsequent treatment.

Mental health and
substance disorders with
clients in the New Zealand
justice system

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Substance abuse is defined as the excessive use of drugs or illicit medications which can
have adverse and even life threatening effect on individual. Mental disorders such as anxiety and
depression have strong correlation with the substance abuse. Mental health problems can lead to
use of alcohol and drugs, as individual with mental health issue can adopt such practices for self
medication. Mental and substance disorder can have some underlying causes, which can include
various changes in brain consumption, stress, trauma and genetic vulnerabilities. Substance use
problem may occur with certain mental health problems that can be anxiety disorders,
depression, personality disorder and Schizophrenia.
In the above study report is prepared on the basis of case study of a thirty-four years old
Mario women Rua, who is suffering from mental disorder, distress, addiction to drugs, alcohol,
smoking and violent nature. The loneliness, conflicts from family members, unemployment and
lack of money are major factors which resulted in the alcohol addiction of Rua. Due to practices
such as abuse, violence, theft under the influence of substance overdose and needs she got a
imprisonment of fifteen months as well. On the basis of case study several questions are
answered which are various mental health issues and substance abuse problems facedy Rua in
the case. The legislation, system and process related to the case are also described. Further the
report carried forward with the evolution of role of court recommendations and subsequent
treatment which has been received by victim. The report ends with the various assessment
methods and proposed alternative that can be effective. And exploring various ethical issues and
role of stakeholders in the treatment.
MAIN BODY
Mental health issues and abuse problems which are faced by the Rua -
Rua was very depressed and a woman with mental disorder. She was prison for fifteen
months for the various drugs intake and violence related issues. Due to the mental disorder and
in the influence of alcohol and drugs she had broken the jaw and the arm of the flatmate who had
taken her shoes without her permission. The violence and aggression in her behavior was result
of her loneliness and substance abuse. She was somehow facing a serious mental disorder so his
father also does not want that her child's Lana aged four and Ben aged five years should live with

her. She was also addicted to drugs and drinking problem due to all this she was suffering from
mental health issues. Due to the excessive drink problem and past experience she used to
consider it very hard to trust or discuss her emotions with anyone. She had sex relation with one
of his flatmate without any emotional connection. It shows that she was in need of emotional
support but due to depression she was not able to take steps for recovery of her mental health.
And all this done after the excessive drink done by her. For paying the house accommodation
rent she stole cigarettes. She was also sexually abused by one of his father's friend which was not
believed by her mother and father. Thus her childhood experience can also be considered as one
of the significant aspect which contributed in behavioral changes. From early age she used to
believe that she does not have any emotional support and thus to overcome the pain and grief she
began to found substance abuse as effective measure. Result to this she was suffering from Post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So she has intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings for her
worst experience so that she was full of fear, anger, and feel detached or estranged form people.
And for reducing stress she used to drink excessive alcohol, and she used to take three cheap
wine from supermarket daily which was result to a liver disease in her. And when she is
excessive drink she was not in state to understand anything and thus she was sexually committed
with his flatmate with whom she was not emotionally attached. After this mental health issues
she was diverted from his passion of becoming a teacher. She completed her teaching course for
one year but further she didn't continue her studies. When there lots of things such as depression,
stress, discrimination and cultural differences on the basis of her aboriginal community happens
to her. She became very much disturbed and influenced by these events and even tried to
physically harm herself. She was very depressed because of her brother's death in accident by the
drunken driver in last six weeks. She was not able to attend the funeral or tangi of her brother
which made her more depressed and raised the consumption of cigarette and alcohol. She was
also awaiting the court date to driving without a license and driving while drunken as this was
her first driving offense, but she was afraid of losing contacts with her child as if she would
agree to move to the impatient treatment center. She also deals in illicit drugs for her expenses of
drinking, drugging and smoking in the past. Nobody is connected with her emotionally as she
has a such bad habits even her family members dose not want that her children's should live with
her, but she is concerned about her children's and thus this let her feel more distress, so she more
and more move towards in performing such bad practices which is harmful for her body and

have a bad impact on his social life. She had a “bad blood” with her parents also as they don't
believe on what would have happened to her in past and never supported her emotionally and
physically which led her to move forward towards the drinking and taking drugs for overcoming
by this mental stress and feeling of loneliness. And excessive use of drinks and drugs led her to
suffer from such mental stress. She has developed an excessive anger in her due to this life
tragedy which further developed with a mental disorder in her. She was not liked by her family
and society because of such bad practices after imprisonment she is not able to face the society
and thus she again started to intake drugs and drinks which again develop and excessive drinking
problems in her. As she was suffering from physical, sexual and neglect abuse under this case,
many problems are faced by her. During her prison she has also gone through the anger
management course but after the end of imprisonment she again started drinking and smoking
which have a direct effect on his mental and physical health she is also suffering from liver
problem due to excessive drinking problem. Her addiction to drugs let her to do anything if she
doesn't get that, and she had also used weed if she doesn't get the drug, and she become violent
and can harm anyone in such situation and sometime she also harms herself(Freeman and
et.al.,2017).
Key legislation, systems and processes which could be applied to Rua -
Criminal Act 1961 is the act in the parliament of New Zealand which forms the major part in
criminal law of New Zealand. It includes the infancy compulsion, insanity, ignorance of law,
arrest, sentence or process, breach of peace, use of force, defense against assault, peaceable
entry, defense of property, surgical procedures and other similar provisions. Under the Criminal
Act 1961, Section 128 A describes the sexual assault done by an individual without the consent.
It can be done forcefully, or if the individual is drunk or have taken drugs, if the person is
mental, intellectual or physical conditions or impairment. Such happened with the individual
then he/ she can file the case in court. In which the person can be penalized a could have a prison
for 10/20 years depends on the case. If Rua's parents had believed her and take a legal action for
such sexual abuse done with her and support their daughter mentally and physically she wouldn't
develop an anger and mental stress in her. To overcome such she started drinking alcohol, taking
drugs, smoking and becoming violent which in future result to mental disorder in her(England,
Butler and Gonzalez, 2015).

According to The Land Transport Act 1998 outlines several limits of alcohol and drugs
for the drivers. That is driver below 20 is zero whereas driver of 20 and above has 250 mcg
breath or 50 mg blood. This can be measured by number of micro grams of the alcohol and drugs
(mcgs) per liter of breath. Penalty can be charged for drunk & drive and kill someone there is
charge of penalty of $20,000 and prison for 10 years whereas is the case of excessive drink and
drugs then there is the penalty charge of $4,500 and for second offense $6,000 and prison for 6
month & more than a year. For drugs, it is penalty of $4,500 and six months prison. Rua has
accused by the police for drunk and drive and awaiting the court dates and then the license may
be canceled by the police or can send to treatment center which let her far by his
children's(Chapman and et.al.,2018).
Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, in which unauthorized intake of cannabis a crime. Cannabis
is widely used recreational drug in New Zealand, after alcohol, caffeine and tobacco, which is
the mostly used illicit drugs. The maximum penalty for in-taking the cannabis is imprisonment
for less than three months and a fine of $500 whereas maximum penalty is seven years of
imprisonment. Supplying cannabis have a penalty of 14 years. Rua is found guilty in both the
cases as along with the drug consumption she was also engaged in supply of illicit drugs for
fulfilling the accommodation rent. This may result in an imprisonment for Rua for such practices
and thus she may forget all such practices and after the end of prison she could start a new
life(Ecker and et.al.,2019). However in the imprisonment appropriate treatment strategies such as
behavioral therapies, medications and therapies for managing alcohol and drug addiction must
also be provided to her. The key reason for her abusive behavior is depression and loneliness.
Thus in rehabilitation center she must be given psychological counseling to overcome
depression, anxiety and all experiences which made her aggressive. The drug control therapies
can also cause relapse and other adverse impact which must be controlled by appropriate
medications for managing drug abuse.
All such act can help the Rua to overcome bad practices that are performed by her. If her
parents would have believed her than she couldn't have developed such anger and distress in her
which somehow directly leads to mental disorder in her. Her parents must have provided care to
her that so that she can be strong enough to fight with such weird situation of sexual or emotional
abuse. Communities, parents, health professionals and individuals must take legal action
regarding such practices so that people with mental disorders can help themselves in developing

a positive attitude and confidence. It will help them to overcome distress, mental tension,
loneliness etc. In the situation when she harmed her flatmates or becoming violent by even self
harm activities then such events must be reported to health professionals and other carers. Rua
must be recommended with effective health care centers and rehabilitation centers so that they
can help her to manage her disorder without fear that rehabilitation treatment will make her
children distant from her. Different laws and legislation in the parliament of New Zealand are
helpful for Rua to overcome such things and move on towards new life and have a good life with
her child and go through her passion of teaching and learn Maori community(Creedon and Cook,
2016).
Role of court recommendations -
Court could have canceled the license of Rua and charge the penalty of $4,500 fine and
imprisonment of six months or more and that can be extended to $6,000 fine and more than a
year if such practice is performed twice. And for taking drugs and drive there may be a penalty
of $4,500 fine and prison of at least 6 months which can be further extended. To fulfill the house
rent she also supplied illicit drugs which may further imprisonment of 14 years. It is the illegal
act in New Zealand. The act of violence which is performed by her can be a serious cause if her
flatmate have put to death but the jaw and arms are broken, so she was accused of imprisonment
of fifteen months that can further be completed by Rua (Baingana and et.al.,2015). Apart from
the anger management court must also have arranged rehabilitation facilities for her so that she
can manage her drug and alcohol addictions. The suitable medications and behavioral and
cognitive therapies would have helped her to cooperate in treatment process and to control
factors which triggers her addiction or aggressive behavior.
The subsequent treatment she received from the court are also included anger
management program so that she could control her anger as the excess level of anger lead to
hazardous violence which is harmful for her and her surroundings. With the help of anger
management she could reduce her anger, which will be helpful to control her emotions on every
situation and lacks her behind of being violent with the individual surrounded by her. The
Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment)Act 2017 (SACAT) is provided to
the Rua for her severe addiction to alcohol and drugs. This treatment will be helpful for her to
quit them and this will develop a positive attitude in her and then commenced forward with the
hopeful life with his children's. New Zealand also have Alcohol Harm Prevention Officers so

that they can guide and advice her for quieting the such practices and move forward towards
adopting good lifestyle practice. By accessing through AOD course she can avail through
complete information about the drugs and alcohol and can learn about the side effects and
harmful contents also so that will be helpful for her to quite such things easily(Priester and
et.al.,016).
Cancellation of her driving license restricts her to drive car or vehicle for one year as this
was the first case of drunk drive performed by her. This will make her more conscious about not
to drunk and drive in future and adopt safe driving practices as this can be harmful for her and
other person with her. The court has guided her to go through AA during the imprisonment so
that she can share her issue of addiction and thus that can be addressed by the active members of
the governmental department and thus treatment is provided to victim to overcome the bad habit
if drugs and alcohol(Pincus and et.al.,2016). This can have a several changes in her life, and she
will move froward for adopting such practices which are legally guided by court and implement
in her life so that she can move forward and overcome from such bad practices and can also learn
to overcome mental stress and anger by management course so that she will not be required to
take alcohol and drugs to overcome her stress. Further she can spend her life with her child Lana
and Ben. And accomplish her passion to be teacher and completes her studies further and
continue her carrier in prescribed field. She also wants to learn about the Maori culture can get a
class for it and complete her desire. She can further become a good parent for her children's and
guide their children with the good parental aptitudes which will be helpful in their further growth
and development(Erskine and et.al.,2015).
Different assessment methods and proposed alternative interventions and approaches that
have been used in the Rua case -
Parenting skills plays a major role in this case as if Rua was believed and supported by
her parents for the sexual abuse done by her father's friend then she couldn't have developed such
anger, depression and distress in her which leads to the addiction to drugs and alcohol. In this
case direct fault is of parents who haven't adopted good parental practices and supported their
child and have taken a legal action towards sexual assault. But Rua could quit the habit of taking
drugs and alcohol and learn good parenting skills so that her desire to be a good parent could be
aspired. The court can think to give her the custody of her children's so that she would find her
happiness and can quit such bad practices for her children's so that they couldn't adopt such

practices in future by seeing her. The mental stress should also be reduced by this and court
could bound her that if she is going through in-taking drugs and alcohol the custody of her
children's would be taken back, by this fear she wouldn't ever move on to such practices(Lehman
and Dixon, 2016). Maori approaches and interventions will includes the semi-structured
interviews with primary care clinicians and thus Maori patients is satisfied by measuring through
a questionnaire. Clinicians are trained in intervention delivery. Whereas post interventions,
patients mental health status is measured within two weeks, six weeks and three months in which
stress and distress is measured by global psychological distress.
Job opportunities let her to get involved whole day with the job and thus her stress can
be minimized. She can avail through various job opportunities for her as she had passion of
becoming a teacher she can join a school for teaching the children's by this she can spend her
whole day with children's and adopt good ethical practices and doesn't distract to perform such
practices. And her anger level and mental pressure could also be down by spending her time on
job and further she could maintain her expenses effectively and could fulfill the needs and
requirements of her child and avail them through good lifestyle practices. Housing needs is the
major issue which was faced by her is that she had to accommodate with the flatmates who are
involved in the various unethical persons and somehow she could have a sexual relation with one
of them while is excessive drunken and then also she can't fulfill the rent of such
accommodation, so she theft the cigarettes for paying rent of house where she used to live.
Women tutor Gwen who encourages her to restart her life and commenced her to have a positive
step in her life for change, also had an empty room for accommodation and would have given the
room to Rua if she quits the drugs, alcohol and smoking so that she can easily spend her new life
with children's and from the good job opportunities she can pay the house rent and can fulfill the
needs and requirements of her children's(Auerbach and et.al.,2016).
Ethical issues and role of significant stakeholders involved in treatment of the Rua -
The main ethical issue which is considered in this case is that sexual abuse which was
committed with the Rua by her father's friend. It is ethically wrong to exploit anyone sexually,
mentally one should respect the emotions and feelings of other and couldn't forcefully perform
such thing with anyone. This situation is very distressful and painful for her to accept and thus
she had spoiled her life by adopting such bad practices which are further harmful for her full life
and which led her to suffer from liver disease. And couldn't get go through achieving her passion

in life. And due to all this she had also developed a bad habit of stealing the cigarettes to fulfill
the rent. She also harms her self when she gets through a lot of things and mental pressure and
cut her arm. She also become violent and harmed her flatmate for the silly excuse broken his arm
and jaw and got imprisonment for fifteen months for such practice. Another ethical issue is that
custody of her children's should be given to her this can also be the mode of more distress and
mental disorder in her as she's desires to be good parent, but she can't as she is far away by his
children's and thus can not avail through them. The parents have not also been through ethically
and morally good parenting skills. They haven't supported their child for sexual abuse this may
lead to develop a huge anger in her and thus she moved to adopting bad practices which further
lead to invoilent nature in her which has become hazardous for her and her surrounding peoples.
The role of various stakeholder in this case are firstly the police who caught-ed her for
availing such practices that can be in-taking alcohol & drugs and driving, becoming violent with
her flatmate etc., the police restricts her to perform such practices and could warn her for further
strict action taken by court if it is repeated. The another stakeholders in this case is court who
have penalized her for the prison of fifteen months and penalties for the crime performed by her.
The court also allows her to involve in the anger management program, help in learning AA,
organizing various programs so that she can quit drinks and drugs and restart her life and avail
with good lifestyle practices. Her mentors who guide, her teacher Gwen had also tries to
encourage her and guides her to adopt better practices quitting the bad practices and change her
life cycle and move forward with the better personality. The plays a main role in developing
good practices in her managing her anger level, quieting alcohol & drugs, searching new job
opportunities by learning new skills, developing hopes to complete her desires and become a
good parent(Ogloff and et.al., 2015).
CONCLUSION
From the above study it is concluded that it is very necessary for support and believe their
child in such cases. In the above case the mental health issue which have occurred is due to the
lack of support, believe and morale by the parents of victim. With the help of key legislation and
various programs under this they can successfully adopt such programs in their lifestyles so that
they can quite alcohol, drugs and smoking. With the help of good parenting skills and job
opportunities she can overcome the distress and mental issues effectively and can re start her

new life by having a custody of her children's Lana and Ben and complete her desire to become
good parents and fulfill their needs and demands.

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