Inquiry sessions providing video, audio links

CENTRAL Otago and the Lakes District will now have a chance to be heard by the Government inquiry into mental health and addiction issues.

The inquiry panel has organised meetings throughout the country as part of its mandate to develop recommendations for a cohesive mental health and addiction approach for New Zealand.

However, several sizeable towns and areas, such as Blenheim, Taupo, the King Country, Queenstown/Wanaka and Central Otago, have been left off the list.

The Otago Daily Times reported two weeks ago that the number of people seeking treatment for addictions in Queenstown had doubled in the past two years.

The inquiry is in the South next week, and chairman Ron Paterson said a Mondayafternoon session in Invercargill would include a video conference meeting between Invercargill, Central Lakes, Queenstown and Dunstan.

While not a public meeting, it would still give people in those areas a chance to connect with the panel, Prof Paterson said.

‘‘It is hard in the regions . . . people naturally want to see you.’’

In addition, an audio feed of Monday night’s public meeting in Invercargill would be made available to people in central Otago unable to travel south to attend.

The inquiry had also arranged a session for University of Otago students on Tuesday evening.

Prof Paterson said while in Dunedin the panel would meet Corinda Taylor, founder of the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust.

Mrs Taylor, who lobbied hard for an inquiry into mental health issues, has expressed disappointment the ministerial inquiry set up was not instead a royal commission, and questioned the short period of time for public submissions.

The inquiry’s deadline for written submissions is fast approaching — material is due by June 5.

‘‘Material is rolling in strongly, which is good,’’ Prof Paterson said.

‘‘Even if it is only in draft, it will still be read and considered.’’