Who are we?

Free & Confidential Services.

The ACADS story

Ashburton Community Alcohol and Drug Service (ACADS) was formed in 1988 by a group of local residents who saw the need for a dedicated alcohol and drug service in Mid Canterbury.

We work to support young people and adults in our community, who are concerned about their alcohol or other drug use, or that of someone they know.

We care about our community and the people who live here. It drives our work. All our services are free of charge and totally confidential. The clinical services we provide are governed by the Health and Disability Services Standards and contractual standards with Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB). The principle of harm minimisation is vital to our strategic approach and is the overall foundation that guides what we do.

We partner with other community agencies and services to deliver initiatives that aim to reduce drink driving and minimise other health issues that are related to alcohol and other drug use.

ACADS is governed by a voluntary community board of directors and welcomes enquires from people interested in becoming a financial member of the organisation. The directors are elected at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) each November. The Board has financial oversight of the organisation and is responsible for approving ACADS Annual Business Plan. The ACADS CEO also reports directly to the Board.

As a not-for-profit organisation, our funding comes mainly from CDHB and the Ministry of Health, along with community grants from local funding providers.

ACADS work is all about:
  • Supporting people with alcohol and other drug related issues.
  • Empowering people to make informed choices about their own wellbeing.
  • Providing knowledge about the risks of alcohol and other drugs.
  • Building partnerships based on mutual respect, teamwork and communication.

GET IN TOUCH

For more information about ACADS and what we do, give us a call or email us through our contact page.