Peer Support – Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court (AODTC)

Peer Support started in Odyssey in 2012 when Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua (the AODTC), started at Auckland and Waitakere District Courts. This challenging multi-agency initiative, led by a Justice and Health partnership, was the first in the world to have peer support integrated into the model. Four peer support workers worked as part of the treatment team, in partnership with clinical case managers. Their role was to support engagement of people who were distrustful of the system.

Peer support workers have relationships with the participant, their clinical colleagues, and the court teams, which include judges, lawyers and court coordinators, Probation, Police, most of the key AOD treatment providers across Auckland, and other stakeholders.

The key challenge was the lack of understanding from others about what peer support was and how peer support workers could be most effective within the AODTC. They are involved in almost all aspects of the court process so there were relational dynamics to navigate; stringent reporting and accountability requirements; and issues with boundaries, dual relationships, conflicts of interest and ethical considerations.

After nine years the AODTC peer support have strong relationships with all stakeholders, and have an active voice in the process. They are respected for the work they do and the way they inspire participants through relationship to transform their lives. Their work has been recognised in multiple evaluations over the years and has inspired other Drug Courts around the world to follow their lead.