Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017

Assessment and treatment of persons suffering from severe substance addiction - Assessment

23: Compulsory treatment certificate

You could also call this:

"A doctor's order for compulsory treatment to help you get better"

Illustration for Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017

If you have been assessed by a specialist under section 22, they might decide you need compulsory treatment. The specialist will sign a certificate if they think you meet the criteria for compulsory treatment. They must date and sign the certificate.

When the specialist dates and signs the certificate, it starts to work right away. You will have a compulsory treatment certificate with your name on it. The specialist must follow the rules when making this certificate.

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This page was last updated on 14 August 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6609164.

Topics:

Health and wellbeing > Mental healthCrime and justice > Courts and legal help

22: Requirements for specialist assessment, or

"What to expect when a specialist checks if you need help for a severe substance addiction"

24: Restriction on signing compulsory treatment certificate for child or young person, or

"Doctors need to check with Oranga Tamariki before forcing a young person into treatment for severe substance addiction."

Part 2Assessment and treatment of persons suffering from severe substance addiction
Assessment

23Compulsory treatment certificate

If, after completing an assessment of a person under section 22, an approved specialist considers that the criteria for compulsory treatment are met, the approved specialist must sign a compulsory treatment certificate in respect of the person.
The approved specialist must date and sign the certificate.
The certificate takes effect as soon as it is dated and signed.

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1992 No 46 s 10