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Lack of co-ordination 'lead to addict's death'

Author
Natasha Burling,
Publish Date
Tue, 17 Oct 2017, 9:16AM
A lack of coordination in rehab services is being blamed for the death of a Rotorua drug addict. (Photo \ Getty Images)

Lack of co-ordination 'lead to addict's death'

Author
Natasha Burling,
Publish Date
Tue, 17 Oct 2017, 9:16AM

A lack of coordination in rehab services is being blamed for the death of a Rotorua drug addict.

The Coroner is calling for vast improvement to access to rehab facilities for addicts.

It follows the death of Maurice Murtagh who'd been smoking cannabis, using magic mushrooms and huffing up to four cans of fly spray a day.

National Committee for Addiction Treatment co- chair Vanessa Caldwell said multiple services were engaged with the man but no one knew the whole story or realised how unwell he was.

"We've got places for him to go and the care out in the community but there isn't that level of coordination that would have assisted him in this case."

There are waiting lists of 100 people for most intensive rehab services around the country and Caldwell believes there are too many people out there like Maurice Murtagh.

"I'm frequently called from people desperate to get on the queue and not knowing what to do and how to get on there."

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