The MAP (Make A Plan) programme is a 20 hour course designed for repeat drink drivers in Wellington.

Programme goal

The overall objectives are to reduce recidivist drink driving, reduce harm caused by alcohol and other drugs, and target the thinking and attitudes which lead to offending.

Underlying philosophy

Most drink drivers are binge drinkers rather than alcohol dependent (or alcoholic). The MAP programme addresses the offender’s thinking rather than the drinking. In other words, we do not necessarily expect binge drinking offenders to stop drinking. But if they intend to drink, we require them to develop a written plan on how to get home (or wherever they’re going) without driving.

If the offender is alcohol dependent, we may refer them to an abstinence based treatment programme elsewhere;  or we may work with them individually.

When

The programme runs for six hours a week on three consecutive Saturdays.

Where

1st floor, Aviation House, 12 Johnston St, Wellington

Referral Process

1) Judges may sentence a repeat drink driver to do the programme and a referral is then made by their probation officer. Each client is screened and assessed in a one hour interview. If the client is suitable, they will be informed of the starting date and provided with further information about the programme.

2) If we have spaces available, we also take self-referrals from clients who wish to get their licence back after an indefinite disqualification. This also involves an AOD assessment and the client will need to

• have a liver function test (to ascertain levels of enzymes involved in the metabolization of alcohol in the blood)
• provide a urine drug screen (to ensure they are not taking illicit drugs)
• provide a copy of their offending history (to help ascertain their risk of re-offending).

Programme structure

If you attend the program you will be in a group with 10 to 12 others. You will:

• receive education about alcohol and other drugs
• learn about the risks and dangers associated with drink driving
• learn about the impact it has on you, your family, your friends and the community
• learn skills to reduce drinking and manage challenging situations
• learn strategies to stop drinking and driving

How

We expect you to participate and be interactive. The sessions involve:

•  teaching by two experienced facilitators
•  group discussions
•  guest speakers
•  video clips and DVDs 
•  completing worksheets
•  include whanau
•  experiential learning.

Liaison with justice system

We are required to liaise with your Probation officer about your progress on the programme. At the end of the ten weeks, your success and any personal achievements along the way will be acknowledged and celebrated together with your whanau or significant others.

Facilitators

We have two experienced facilitators:

1) Denise Nassenstein 

BSc Microbiology, Switzerland, BA Alcohol Drug Studies, Weltec, Member of DAPAANZ

Ms Nassenstein has ten years experience as a senior clinician at CADS, the Alcohol and Drug dual diagnosis team (dealing with addictions and co-existing mental health disorders) at Capital and Coast Health. She was instrumental in establishing the first dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) programme for substance users in New Zealand.

DBT is an evidence based treatment for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and is an evolution of Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT). Ms Nassenstein helped to adapt the programme to treat patients with BPD who were also addicted to alcohol and/or drugs.

Ms Nassenstein is now in private practice and has undertaken further training in EMDR which is used to treat trauma.  She now has over 15 years experience treating addictions and behavioural problems.

2) Roger Brooking

BA Political Science, Dip Alcohol Drug Studies, Member of DAPAANZ

Mr Brooking established Alcohol & Drug Assessment & Counselling (ADAC) in 2004 providing alcohol and drug assessments to the Courts and the Parole Board, and working with private clients. Through his work at the interface of the justice and health sectors, Mr Brooking has become increasingly concerned about the lack of alcohol and drug treatment programmes available in the community and the subsequent difficulties which judges have mandating drink drivers (and other offenders) into treatment. He is the author of Flying Blind – How the justice system perpetuates crime and the Corrections Department fails to correct and brookingblog.com about justice and prison issues.

Denise Nassenstein and Roger Brooking are both are currently accredited to the Justice Department in Wellington to provide alcohol & drug assessments for the Courts. Both also conduct alcohol and drug assessments for Land Transport New Zealand for drink drivers seeking to regain their driver’s licence after an indefinite disqualification (under section 65).