ReGen celebrates win at Robin Clark Memorial Awards

Melbourne, VIC, 3rd September 2013 – UnitingCare ReGen, the lead alcohol and other drug treatment and education agency of UnitingCare Victoria & Tasmania, today celebrated its victory at the 2013 Robin Clark Memorial Awards. Recognising service quality and leadership in the Victorian child and family service sector, the awards identify services and individuals that significantly improve the lives of vulnerable children, young people and families.

This year, ReGen’s Youth and Family Services Team shared the Making a Difference with Children, Young People and Families Award with Maree Corbo (Kildonan UnitingCare) for her work addressing family violence through the agency’s Men’s Behaviour Change program.

In accepting the award, ReGen CEO Laurence Alvis said:

This is welcome recognition for the tremendous work our Youth and Family Services team does in supporting families affected by problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and bringing about real change in the lives of all family members. Congratulations too, to Maree Corbo and Kildonan UnitingCare. Our shared success tonight underscores the great work being done within the UnitingCare network of community service agencies in supporting vulnerable Victorian families.

ReGen’s Family Services Program promotes cross-sector partnerships and incorporates the agency’s clinical, professional development and advocacy services to provide a systemic response to the needs of affected individuals and families.

Since commencing in 2004, UnitingCare ReGen’s Family Services Program has become a multi-disciplinary, agency-wide program. The program takes a systemic approach to individual, family and the wider community needs, incorporating specialist services (such as Intensive Playgroup, family counselling and family support groups), the integration of Family Inclusive Practice within established AOD treatment services, workforce development for AOD and related service sectors and public advocacy to reduce stigma and increase community access to treatment and support services.

Our focus on AOD workforce development and integrated service delivery in partnership with child and family services promotes a sustainable, strategic approach to consistent and co-ordinated cross-sector Family Inclusive Practice. We hope that the recognition that this award provides will assist our efforts to improve both the accessibility and effectiveness of AOD treatment services in Victoria and to continue to increase our capacity to provide meaningful supports to affected families.

International Conference of the Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association
14-18 October 2013
Mecure, Gold Coast, Palm Meadows Drive, Palm Meadows

The theme of the conference “Building Communities” invites and challenges us to engage in a wide ranging dialogue around the phenomenon of community – one that courageously explores the options and implications of moving beyond a restricted and limited conceptualization of the term.

The ATCA conference will feature many presenters who are also presenting at the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities Conference in Praguenext week. These speakers include: Keynote, Rowdy Yates, Kathleen Yates, Gerard Byrne, Lynne Magor-Blatch and James Pitts.

Register now http://events.atca.com.au/
Or call 07 3834 3333 for more information

Using and reducing use of bush, hydro and synthetics

Have you been a regular user of cannabis (yarndi, gunja, pot, marijuana, hydro, skunk, etc.), or synthetic cannabis (such as Thai High, iBlaze, Tropic Thunder, Kronic, Spice, Cloud 9, Black Widow, etc.)?

If you are currently over the age of 18, we are interested in knowing about your experiences. The survey has questions about your use of cannabis, your experiences of ‘hanging out’ or withdrawing from cannabis, sleep, and some questions about you and your general health. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.

It is hoped that this study will provide relevant information to guide the development of resources to assist people who choose to reduce or quit their use of cannabis. No identifying information is being collected, so your views will be anonymous.

Many thanks for considering our survey

NCPIC has provided a poster advertising the survey and this is available for download at the following link and the survey can be found here.

ADVERTISEMENT: Program Officer – health promotion, drug & alcohol prevention

Are you an innovative health promotion professional wanting to make your mark?
 Become an integral member of our passionate and hardworking team
 Fixed term contract to 30 June 2014 with potential extension
 Applicants seeking part time or full time hours (up to 35 hours per week) encouraged to apply
 Attractive remuneration with salary packaging options
 In an organisation committed to employee growth and positive work/life balance

Youth Solutions is a youth drug and alcohol prevention and health promotion non-government organisation working with young people 12-25 years and the broader community in the Macarthur and Wingecarribee regions of NSW.
To join our team, you will be a high performing, results orientated individual focused on delivery and service excellence. Prime responsibility is to participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of alcohol and other drug health promotion strategies.

Essential criteria
 Relevant Degree or Diploma qualifications in the fields of Health Promotion, Social Science, Community Services, Welfare, Youth Studies or equivalent
 Minimum 2 years relevant industry experience
 Ability to work flexible hours
 Valid driver’s licence and own comprehensively insured vehicle

With demonstrated experience in:
 Experience in program planning, implementation and evaluation
 Understanding and commitment to the philosophy and aims of: Public Health, Health Promotion, Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Community Development and Youth Work
 Facilitation of workshops, education programs, presentations and meetings
 High quality verbal and written communication skills, including funding applications and report writing skills
 Relationship management of internal and external stakeholders
 Basic budget management
 Contribution to program promotion
 Administrative processes, including Microsoft Office applications

With a commitment to:
 Quality improvement and to strategic planning
 New technologies and innovative practices
 Flexibility and the changing needs of the organisation and community

Desirable criteria
 Certificate IV in Workplace Training & Assessment
 First Aid Certificate

Youth Solutions is an EEO employer. This position is subject to the ability to pass probity checks (Working with Children Check and National Criminal Record Check). All employees must abide by a Smoke Free Workplace policy.
Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter which addresses the Criteria by mail or email to Geraldine Dean by 4pm, Wednesday 21 August.
Geraldine Dean | CEO, Youth Solutions | PO Box 112 Macarthur Square NSW 2560
geraldine | www.youthsolutions.com.au

7th ACSO Criminal Justice Conference – Melbourne 7th – 9th October 2013
The number of people presenting with a range of complexities, who interface with the criminal justice system has steadily increased every year across Australia. Concurrently, prison numbers regularly reach new records and courts continue to experience lengthy delays in processing complex cases.

The reality is, our fragmented service delivery approach is failing clients who often navigate complex service systems in the community, courts and in a custodial setting. Whilst proposed reforms seek to improve the outcomes for the offending population by enhancing their prospects at reintegration and rehabilitation, the inevitable question is are we ‘striking the balance’ between justice, support & safety and rights & risks?

The 2013 ACSO Criminal Justice workshops and conference seeks to engage delegates in discussion and debate around ‘striking the balance’ between providing community based treatment and support to offenders, whilst mitigating the risks posed by the offender to the community.

Who should attend? Policy makers, researchers and frontline staff working with people with complex needs who may come into contact with the justice system.

Program and registration information is available at http://www.conferenceworks.com.au/acso2013/

PINK ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM: TRAUMA INFORMED CARE IN THE ALCOHOL AND DRUG SECTOR

WITH DONNA ZANDER

VAADA has been funded by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) under the Substance Misuse Services Delivery Grants Fund (SMSDGF) to provide trauma informed care (TIC) training for AOD and other health/welfare workers.

Adopting a trauma informed approach to practice ensures that all consumers and their presentations are understood in the context of their life experiences and cultural backgrounds. These 1-day experiential workshops, held in 6 locations across Victoria, will equip workers with new skills and the confidence to work more effectively with people who present with trauma-related issues.

Donna Zander, a leading local expert on the neurobiology of trauma, trauma-based interventions and loss and grief will present Pink elephants in the room: Trauma informed care in the AOD sector.

Donna will present alongside a trauma survivor who will “bring the pink elephant into the room”, allowing workers to gain a unique insight into how trauma affects people, the interaction between trauma and substance use, and the clinical frameworks for practice.

Event details

To view the program and register your attendance, click on the link of the date and location of your choice.

Monday 9 September 2013 – Melbourne

Wednesday 11 September 2013 – Ballarat

Monday 16 September 2013 – Traralgon

Thursday 19 September 2013 – Colac

Monday 23 September 2013 – Benalla

Wednesday 25 September 2013 – Bendigo

Cost: $90 + Eventbrite processing fee (includes a manual, morning/afternoon tea and lunch)

Contact Anna Guthrie on aguthrie or Jane Moreton on jmoreton with any queries.

Family Drug Support is seeking a project officer for our Bridging the Divide Project 3.5 days per week.

Your role is to create partnerships with drug treatment services to increase their capacity to work effectively with families. This is achieved by offering a range of family support programmes aimed specifically to improve the psychosocial and emotional health of families and to assist in building the capacity and skills of drug treatment services to better engage with families and carers of those in treatment.

Location of position: situated in Sydney and covering regional NSW areas and ACT

Key activities

– Create partnership with treatment services

– Liaise with drug treatment services and assist them to identify skills and capacities in working with families and carers of those in treatment that need enhancement.

– Establish family support groups

– Provide counselling for families

– Run group counselling for families

– Offer group counselling for families and their drug dependent

– Provide comprehensive training for workers in treatment services to provide the above services

– Establish Stepping Stones programs

Qualifications

– Tertiary qualifications in psychology, social work or other relevant social science.

Desirable qualifications:

– Participation in relevant workforce development activities

– Membership in relevant professional associations (e.g. APS.AASW, APSAD).

Essential skills

– Goals oriented and high level of organisation

– Ability to work independently and as part of a team

– Proven experience in working with people experiencing alcohol and other drug-related difficulties.

– Commitment to personal and professional growth and development

– Experience in working with families

– Extensive group counselling skills and experience

– Well versed in and accepting of harm minimisation/reduction philosophy and approach

– Ability to work with a range of drug treatment service providers

– Available for intra-and interstate travel.

Training & Support

– FDS will provide full training and support

Remuneration

Salary package of $72K (pro rata for this position) and will include motor vehicle expenses, mobile telephone, laptop computer and printer.

Contract

– A one year contract will be offered.

www.fds.org.au

Marijuana Legalization: Policy Analysis and Insights

People have discussed cannabis legalization for decades, but in a perhaps surprising twist, it is two states in the U.S. that are the first to have truly legalized – including large-scale, for-profit commercial production for non-medical use.

These actions are not carefully designed, top-down public-health oriented reforms, but exercises in direct-democracy via ballot initiative through which the voters have mandated that the state allow a (licensed and regulated) free-market industry. The propositions only repealed state and local laws; every marijuana-related activity – even possession of a single joint by an individual with a medical recommendation – remains fully prohibited under federal law. However, state and local enforcement accounts for almost 99% of marijuana arrests. Traditionally federal law enforcement has focused on larger cases, and those in border areas; the Obama Administration has not clarified how it will employ its discretion to prosecute or ignore the newly legalized activity. The policy with respect to medical marijuana has been to ignore activity that comply with state and local laws, but that precedent is in no way binding.

This talk draws on two sources: (1) Research conducted at RAND and Carnegie Mellon on the 17 proposals to legalize free market production of non-medical marijuana that were put forward in the U.S. in 2012, with particular emphasis on the three that made it on the ballot and the two which passed and (2) Experience with BOTEC and RAND advising Washington State’s Liquor Control Board, the agency responsible for implementing the I-502 cannabis legalization system. Contrasts are drawn between legalization as envisioned a priori in the abstract and how it is playing out in fact.

No outcome or evaluation results will be presented; to date, only the legalization of personal possession is operational. The regulatory structure has only just been designed, and applications for production licenses will only begin to be accepted later this year.

Bio:

Jonathan P. Caulkins is H. Guyford Stever Professor of Operations Research and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Public Policy and Information Systems Management.

Dr. Caulkins is co-author (with Angela Hawken, Beau Kilmer, and Mark Kleiman) of Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford, 2012) and eight other books and monographs.

He specializes in systems analysis of problems pertaining to drugs, crime, terror, violence, and prevention – work that won the David Kershaw Award from the Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management, a Robert Wood Johnson Health Investigator Award, and the INFORMS President’s Award. Other interests include reputation and brand management, software quality, optimal control, black markets, airline operations, and personnel performance evaluation. He has taught his quantitative decision making course on four continents to students from over 50 countries at every level from undergraduate through Ph.D. and executive education.

He is a past co-director of RAND’s Drug Policy Research Center (1994 – 1996), founding Director of RAND’s Pittsburgh office (1999 – 2001), and continues to work through RAND on a variety of government projects.

Dr. Caulkins received a B.S., and M.S. in Systems Science from Washington University, an S.M. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Ph.D., in Operations Research both from M.I.T.

promises&limitations

The Centre for Social Research in Health (formerly the National Centre in HIV Social Research) invites you to the 13th Social Research Conference on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Related Diseases to be held 20-21 February 2014 at the University of New South Wales, Sydney.

The theme of the conference is promises & limitations: biomedical treatment and prevention in the real world. Delegates will be asked to consider how biomedical technologies shape our understanding of the treatment and prevention of blood borne viruses, illicit drug use, chronic illness and sexually transmitted infections. The conference offers an opportunity to think critically about biomedicalisation, specifically the way that it helps or challenges understandings of treatment and prevention, the promises it holds and the extent to which these promises materialise.

Conference dates: 20-21 February 2014.

Registration and abstract submission open 15 July 2013.

The deadline for receipt of abstracts is 30 September 2013.

Keynote speakers:
Professor Deborah Lupton, Department of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Sydney
Dr Helen Keane, School of Sociology, Australian National University
Dr Mark Davis, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University

Conference venue:
The John Niland Scientia Building, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW.

Details are available on the conference website http://hhard.arts.unsw.edu.au/.