To review options for residential therapeutic treatment for young people suffering substance abuse/mental illness

Jennifer Bowles travelled to New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom to review options for residential therapeutic treatment for young people suffering substance abuse/mental illness. As a Magistrate in the Children’s Court of Victoria, Jennifer sees children and young people whose lives are spiralling downwards as a result of the (often cumulative) effect of their drug or alcohol misuse or mental illness or criminality. These young people are amongst the most vulnerable in our society because many of them have been subject to trauma, neglect or abuse. Jennifer knew that the current voluntary system is not working for many of our most troubled young people. She was aware that, if considered necessary, Sweden has compulsory orders to require young people to receive intensive treatment in secure homes. Jennifer wanted to know whether such orders could make a difference. Jennifer visited secure homes and therapeutic community residences in Sweden, Scotland, England and New Zealand. She experienced many highlights, including meeting a vast number of dedicated staff who had the welfare and advancement of young people as their prime objective. She observed the positive results from placing trust in young people in therapeutic community environments in places such as Glebe House in Cambridge and Auckland Youth Odyssey. She was impressed by the homely feel of the ‘manors’ at Huntercombe’s Maidenhead and Stafford Hospitals in England. Jennifer was overwhelmed by the support provided by Mr Ola Karlsson Rûhmkorff and the staff at the secure (SiS) facilities in Sweden. Dr Dickon Bevington presented an enlightening model for engaging young people in the community. Jennifer was very grateful to Judges Jane McMeeken (Christchurch) and Tony Fitzgerald (Auckland) for allowing her to observe the successful Youth Drug Court and Crossover Court List. Most importantly, she was delighted to be able to talk with young people about their experiences. The advice she received from numerous experts and practitioners in all countries was that, for some young people, compulsory orders to attend therapeutic residential facilities are necessary in order to ensure these young people are safe and secure, to deal with the addiction, to commence the process of improving their physical and mental health and wellbeing and to reconnect them with education and training. Please see Jennifer’s report to learn more and to see her recommendations.