Postgraduate Alcohol and Other Drug Practitioner Training in New Zealand: Significant Influences

The purpose of this article is to present a case study of the evolution of postgraduate-level training programs for alcohol and other drug (AOD) practitioners provided by two universities in New Zealand.

The case study compiles details on relevant treatment contexts and systems in New Zealand and key milestones and significant developments in postgraduate AOD practitioner programs in two locations over a 30-year period. The details were compiled by the authors, all of whom were closely involved with the development of the training programs.

The key ingredients for success that were identified included a focus on specialized learning overlaying generic undergraduate professional training; a core commitment to practice oriented teaching; investment in the training by government bodies; and the parallel emergence of professional bodies, registration systems, and collaborative relationships across agencies. In a small country, the two programs have enabled 345 students to obtain specialist postgraduate qualifications in AOD practice over a 10-year period.

Little could have been achieved without ongoing cooperation between education providers, government agencies, and AOD services. This history may be of interest to those in other locations attempting to establish nation- or statewide approaches to AOD practitioner training.