I received the following info today. Although awards ceremmonies can be a little trite, the ability for all ATOD professionals to vote and the need for greater recognition of the work we all do, makes this a very worthwhile initiative.

Celebrate Your Success at the National Drug and Alcohol Awards 2010 in Brisbane:
Pencil Friday, 25 June 2010 in Your diary

The Ted Noffs Foundation is pleased to advise that arrangements are well advanced for the staging of the National Drug and Alcohol Awards (NDAA) 2010 in Brisbane on Friday, 25 June 2010. Ted Noffs Foundation will be working with Drug Arm Australasia in hosting the awards.

Hosting the 2010 Awards on behalf of the Coordinating Committee comprising the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD), and the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF), Ted Noffs has secured The Sebel & Citigate Hotel in King George Square in Brisbane as the venue.

Now in its seventh year, the Awards not only honour the dedication and innovation within the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector, but also recognise excellence in a range of areas. In addition to the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence, and the NDAA Honour Roll that recognises eminent Australians who have dedicated their lives to reducing harms caused by AOD misuse, a new Award Category “Excellence in Creating Healthy Sporting Communities” has been included for 2010, and is proudly sponsored by the Australian Drug Foundation.

This Award seeks to recognise best practice across the community sporting and recreation sector for the responsible management and prevention of harm relating to alcohol and other drugs. The Award is open to all community sports clubs, codes or associations.

Professionals and researchers will also be able to apply for recognition in the following AOD categories:

Excellence in treatment and support
Excellence in prevention and community education
Excellence in research
Excellence in services for young people
Excellence in law enforcement,
Excellence in alcohol and drug media reporting
Excellence in school drug education

Follow-up information regarding the updating of the NDAA website at www.drugawards.org.au will be advised in mid-January 2010. This will focus on the various Award Categories, a web-based nomination form, opening/ closing dates for entries, table reservations/ tickets for the Awards Dinner, accommodation options in Brisbane, and strategic sponsorship partnerships.

For more information contact either Jagdish Dua at Ted Noffs, Phone 02 8383 6621, Email duaj@noffs.org.au; or Brian Flanagan, Phone 02 6215 9802, Email brian.flanagan@adca.org.au.