Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017

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

27: If compulsory treatment certificate not signed, advice must be given

You could also call this:

"If a doctor says you don't need compulsory treatment, they must give you or your caregiver advice on what to do next."

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

If a doctor checks you under section 22 and decides you do not need compulsory treatment, they might give you advice on other ways to get help. They can give this advice to you directly. They can also give this advice to the person who takes care of you, like a parent or guardian.

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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=DLM6609168.

Topics:

Health and wellbeing > Mental healthHealth and wellbeing > Public health

26: Information to be given to patient and others, or

"People helping you with substance addiction must tell you and others about your rights and give you important information."

28: Responsible clinician to be assigned, or

"A doctor is chosen to help you with your treatment when you need compulsory help for substance addiction."

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

27If compulsory treatment certificate not signed, advice must be given

If, after completing an assessment of a person under section 22, the approved specialist considers that the criteria for compulsory treatment are not met, the approved specialist must, if he or she considers it appropriate, give advice on alternative options available for treating the person—
to the person; and
to the person’s principal caregiver.