ADL - Supporting Young People

ADL is a not for profit NGO in the lower South Island known for its strong support of young people and their whānau who are dealing with alcohol & drug issues and/or mental health difficulties.

ADL is a not for profit NGO in the lower South Island known for its strong support of young people and their whānau who are dealing with alcohol & drug issues and/or mental health difficulties.

Our kaupapa

ADL’s vision is to empower young people to live connected and meaningful lives.

Over the past five years ADL’s Thrive Te Pae Ora youth primary mental health and addiction service has grown significantly and is now an integral part of the youth mental health and addiction system across the lower half of Te Wai Pounamu.

ADL also offers longer term programmes such as Adventure Development Counselling, Te Ara Hou, community support work, and transition support, for young people experiencing complex issues ranging from coexisting mental health and addiction, offending, to transition from care.

 ADL originated in 1992, and over the past 30 years has transitioned from being a part of the Ministry of Education, to a privately owned business, before being transformed into a not-for-profit NGO in 2015.   This shift to not for profit means that all resources are funnelled back into the wellbeing of young people and their whānau. 

• ADL has offices in Dunedin, Timaru, Invercargill and Cromwell and staff regularly travel to provide services in smaller centres and rural areas across the lower South Island.
• We can see you at school, in the community or at home
• Our services are free to clients and their families and funded by Te Whatu Ora and by the Ministry of Social Development.

Find out more about our services – or make a referral at www.thriveservices.org.nz or www.adlnz.org.nz