Suzy Morrison

Consumer project lead

I have many years lived experience of active addiction and have been in recovery for twenty plus years. Addiction has a negative impact on one's self, family, friends and community. The recovery process gives me, my family, friends and community an opportunity to learn how to live well together. To enjoy and engage in life on life's terms.

In the early 90's I trained as a social worker and was part of the Community AIDS Resource Team in Auckland DHB for seven years. I have 15 years of experience working in the addiction sector and have a postgraduate certificate in Health Sciences Alcohol and Drug Studies from Auckland University.

Our consumer projects aim to develop and support the capacity and capability of the addiction treatment consumer workforce, as well as support the other Matua Raki activities and projects. This includes:

• ensuring an effective consumer voice at key levels of the addiction sector
• facilitating forums for the Addiction Consumer Leadership Group
• supporting the ongoing development of consumer advisory roles
• developing the peer support worker role within the addiction sector
• providing peer supervision and mentoring skills training
• developing relationships at a national level with mental health service user bodies.