Abstract:
Ngā raranga whenu/Weaving strands: #2 is the second summary report from our case study that aimed to explore the meaning and application of the term ‘therapeutic’ in Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua/The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court (AODT Court). This report describes the therapeutic framework Ngā raranga whenu/weaving strands in action. In doing so, the report recognises that the weaving of the four strands of Pango/Law, KŌwhai/ U.S. Best Practice, Mā/Recovery and Whero/Lore that constitute the therapeutic framework is a simultaneously philosophical and practical endeavour. In this report, we provide qualitative descriptions of the processes of the AODT Court which draw on interviews with AODT Court professionals and our observation of pre-court meetings and open court sittings. The report also includes de-identified examples of writing from AODT Court participants and sentencing decisions of AODT Court judges to bring to life the three phases of this court. The triangulation of data sources means the report is grounded in the reality of those professionals, and to some extent, participants involved in the AODT Court processes.
