Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Extra addiction funding welcomed, but more wanted

Updated at 12:24 pm on 23 September 2010

An additional $23 million of funding into methamphetine addiction is being welcomed by addiction specialists, but they say the real addiction problem is still alcohol.

Care NZ chief executive Tim Harding says the addiction sector has been underfunded for decades.

Mr Harding says that while the methamphetine addiction money is much needed, more funding is needed for other problem areas.

Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman told a conference in Auckland on Thursday that the funding has, so far, provided an additional 30 beds at treatment centres around the country.

Another 30 are to be introduced by the end of the year.

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