Author Archives: James

Jobs: Aborginal Drug and Alcohol, NSW

The Weigelli Centre is an Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation facility just outside Cowra in the Central West of NSW.

 

  1. 1.       Clinical Supervisor

 

The Weigelli Centre wishes to engage an external supervisor to provide regular staff Clinical Supervision sessions (19 hours per month,  flexibly).

The Clinical Supervisor will have the following skill set:

–     Post graduate qualifications in Social Work or Psychology

–     Extensive clinical experience with clients with substance misuse and comorbid mental health disorders

–     Demonstrated clinical competencies in the delivery of best practice,  evidence-based,  contemporary Assessment and Treatment models

–     Demonstrated high level of cultural competence in working with Aboriginal communities and organizations

–     Demonstrated understanding of the role and function of Clinical Supervision

–     Impartial and non-judgemental approach

 

 

 

Community and Family Support Team

The Community and Family Support Team will expand the Weigelli Centre programme and the following staff are sought:

 

  1. Team Leader

This senior position will manage the team.  The person will have appropriate qualifications,  team management experience,  case management experience and be able to demonstrate the ability to initiate,  support and run community development activities appropriate to the programme.  Problem solving skills,  initiative and a demonstrated excellent work ethic are essential.

 

  1. 3.      Field Worker (Alcohol and Other Drugs)

This position will work to facilitate access for Aboriginal men,  women ,  and their families,  to appropriate AOD treatment.  The person will have appropriate qualifications,  casework experience,  experience working with Indigenous clients with AOD and MH issues,  experience providing community AOD interventions.  Problem solving skills,  initiative and a demonstrated excellent work ethic are essential.

 

Closing Date:  3 August 2012

 

All staff will be required to undergo a criminal record check and a Working with Children Check.

 

The Weigelli Centre reserves the right not to fill any position.

 

For Further Information:

Daniel Jeffries,  Bev Hansell  or Duncan McEvoy     02 6345 1803 or weigellicentre@bigpond.com

Will Legalizing Illicit Drugs Save $85 Billion?

Harvard economist Jeff Miron argues that legalizing marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine would save $85 billion. UCLA professor, Mark A. R. Kleiman, says not so fast — but he does expect marijuana to be legalized in the not too distant future. I think Mr. Kleiman makes the better case.

A July 4 article in the New York Times mentioned that Mr. Miron, a Harvard University Economics Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies, estimated the benefits of legalizing illicit drugs at $65 billion.

In a July 8 interview, Mr. Miron told me that his estimate was $85 billion — the Times did not interview him. His calculation was based primarily on government budget reductions associated with not arresting, trying, and incarcerating people for violating the laws.

However, Mr. Miron does not consider this to be the full cost-benefit analysis. For that he would take into account other factors, such as the cost of corruption, quality control, and disruption of other countries that would be eliminated if legalization took place.

Mr. Miron, who teaches a Harvard course on Libertarianism, thinks it is worth considering how legalizing these drugs would benefit users, by eliminating the costs of having a criminal record and going to jail – the cost of which is much greater to the user than the use of the drug itself.

Mr. Miron believes that if legal, the retail prices of illicit drugs would drop. But the amount of the drop depends on the drug. He thinks marijuana’s price would drop up to 50% — this market would be changed the least by legalization since there are countries like Portugal and the Netherlands where it’s partially legal already, and in the U.S. there are states, like California, where it’s legal under specific conditions.

With cocaine, heroin, and meth, Mr. Miron believes that current prices would be slashed. Meth’s price would drop by a factor of 10, cocaine’s by a factor of four or five, and heroin would drop in price by a factor of 20.

See on www.telegram.com

Church of Scientology Backs UN Drug Demand Reduction Strategy

Hmmmmmm:

According to this year’s United Nations World Drug Report, drug-abuse kills some 200,000 each year and creates a “heavy financial burden” internationally. In a concerted effort to counter this epidemic, in the weeks leading up to the UN Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking June 26 through the first week of July, Scientology Churches, Missions and groups around the world, working with like-minded individuals and groups, organize, sponsor and contribute to drug awareness activities to prevent drug abuse before it begins.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was created by the UN General Assembly in December 1987 to encourage all sectors of society to work together to tackle drug abuse and addiction. Scientologists commemorated the day by organizing and sponsoring conferences, lectures and symposia, participating in cross-country running and cycling races, meeting with elected officials and manning drug education booths and kiosks.

In Tokyo, the Church helped organize a drug education symposium where legislators networked with representatives of civil society and journalists, sharing information on effective drug prevention strategies.
Sydney Scientologists set up drug information booths on busy streets, where visitors watched the Truth About Drugs documentary, Real People—Real Stories, and took home copies of The Truth About Drugs series of drug education booklets to share with friends and families.

Russian Scientologists ran hundreds of miles in a two-week anti-drug “marathon” from Nizhny Novgorod to Kaluga, on to Ivanovo, Yaroslavl and Orel and ending in Moscow. Along the way they lectured in schools and colleges and distributed thousands of copies of the Truth About Drugs series of drug education booklets. Moscow Scientologists also distributed copies of drug education booklets and fliers in street events on June 26, the same day that St. Petersburg Scientologists participated in a local anti-drug bicycle race.
Danish Scientologists ran in an anti-drug marathon and distributed drug education booklets in Gammeltorv (Old Market), the oldest square in Copenhagen.

See on www.prweb.com

Study shows exposure to tobacco smoke dropped with state ban

The percentage of Wisconsin residents who say they’re exposed to tobacco smoke dropped by nearly half after the state’s workplace smoking ban started two years ago, a new study says.
The law, which took effect on July 5, 2010, banned smoking in bars, restaurants, private clubs, schools, hotels, clinics and other workplaces.

Before the ban, 55 percent of residents reported being exposed to smoke outside the home and 13 percent at home. After the ban, 32 percent reported exposure to smoke outside the home and 7 percent at home.

“This state ban was an effective public policy to improve health,” said Dr. Javier Nieto, chairman of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Department of Population Health Sciences.
Nieto said the reduction in exposure to secondhand smoke should reduce people’s risk of asthma, cancer and heart disease, though the obesity epidemic is increasing the risk of some cancers and heart disease.

The study was part of the medical school’s Survey of the Health of Wisconsin, an annual assessment of state residents on a range of health conditions. The findings, by a team led by UW medical student Alexis Guzman, will be published in the August issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal.

The percentage of residents surveyed in the second half of 2010 who reported exposure to smoke was cut by nearly half compared to people surveyed from June 2008 to June 2010. Data for 2011 and this year haven’t been analyzed.

Eighty percent of the post-ban group said they had no-smoking policies in their homes, up from 74 percent in the pre-ban group.

See on chippewa.com

Jobs: Community Sharps Management Project (CSMP) – NSW

Wanted!    an experienced and enthusiastic project officer to manage the Community Sharps Management Project (CSMP). This statewide project aims to promote a healthy and safe environment through improving the management of community sharps.

The project uses a partnership approach with local government, public health sectors, government/non-government agencies and the community in order to implement best practice community sharps management policies and practices across NSW.

The position is located within the HIV/AIDS & Related Programs Unit based in South Eastern Sydney Local health District but will implement project activities across NSW.  Some travel within NSW will be required

Position Title 

Senior Projects Officer (Community Sharps)

 Employment Status 

Temporary Full Time (up to 31/07/2015)

Award Classification 

Health Managers (State) Award – Health Mgr Lvl 2  ($80,640 – $95,646)  

Selection Criteria 

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent Local Government or Waste Industry experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience of issues associated with community sharps and clinical waste management.
  • Understanding of relevant State and Local Government legislative requirements and relevant guidelines for the management of community sharps and clinical waste.
  • Demonstrated high level negotiation and problem solving skills.
  • Demonstrated experience and skills in project management.
  • Demonstrated experience working with local councils on public health or environmental health issues/projects.
  • Understanding of the principles of Harm Minimisation and the NSW Needle and Syringe Program.
  • Current NSW driver’s license

 

Contact

Gary Gahan

(02) 93828124

gary.gahan@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au

 

Closing Date 

29/07/2012

Indigenous Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Positions

EXPRESSION of INTERESTS

       NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (NPA)

       INDIGENOUS EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (IECD) ELEMENT 2

       MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS

       DRUG and ALCOHOL CLINICIANS

 

 

 

The Closing the Gap National Partnership Agreement (NPA) Indigenous Early Childhood Development (IECD) Element 2 has been established to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal pregnant women in the perinatal period, their children and families who are ‘at risk’ or vulnerable to either mental health and/or drug and alcohol  issues.

 

The aims of this initiative are:

To increase access and improve identification and early intervention for Aboriginal pregnant women and their families who are ‘at risk’ or vulnerable to mental health and/or drug and alcohol issues

To strengthen the structures, procedures and processes that support best practice and effective continuum of care between community antenatal care providers, hospitals and back to the community providers following birth

 

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative service supporting Aboriginal pregnant women, their children and families. These positions will be co located at and work in close partnership with their local Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service (AMIHS); provide prevention and early intervention mental health and/or drug and alcohol services; engage with the local Aboriginal community and develop linkages with a range of local specialist and general health services.

 

There are 9 new mental health drug and alcohol services based at twelve selected Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Services (AMIHS) being implemented throughout NSW. Vacancies for mental health clinicians and drug and alcohol clinicians still exist in the following locations:

 

Vacancies for mental health clinicians and drug and alcohol clinicians exist in the following locations:

 

  • Hunter New England LHD – Taree:           1 Mental Health Clinician

 

  • Western NSW LHD – Dubbo:                       1 Drug & Alcohol Clinician

 

  • Western NSW LHD – Walgett:                   1 Mental Health Clinician

1 Drug & Alcohol Clinician

 

  • Western Sydney LHD – Mt Druitt:              1 Mental Health Clinician

 

 

  • Murrumbidgee LHD – Griffith:                   1 Drug & Alcohol Clinician

 

  • South Western Sydney LHD – Narellan: 1 Mental Health Clinician

 

  • Central Coast LHD –  Gosford:                      1 Drug and Alcohol Clinician

1 Mental Health Clinician

 

 

For further details please contact the NPA  IECD Element 2 mental health drug and alcohol service Project Officers for further information:

 

Danielle Perkes | NPA IECD Element 2 Mental Health Project Officer | Tel. 02 9816 0437 | Mob. 0407 390 783

Gay Foster | NPA IECD Element 2 Drug and Alcohol Project Officer | Tel. 02 9816 0472 | Mob. 0408 573 230

Methadone to blame for one-third of U.S. prescription painkiller deaths, CDC says – HealthPop – CBS News

Methadone accounts for only 2 percent of painkiller prescriptions in the United States – but the drug is behind more than 30 percent of prescription painkiller overdose deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday.

Fatal painkiller overdoses soar in U.S., CDC says
Study: Heroin may be cheaper and more effective at treating addicts than methadone
Five signs a loved one is abusing painkillers

Methadone is commonly known for treating withdrawal symptoms from heroin addiction, but the drug is also prescribed for pain. Health officials say most of the overdose deaths are people who take it for pain – not heroin or drug addicts.

According to the CDC, methadone carries more risks than other painkillers because levels build up in the body and may interfere with a person’s normal heart rhythm or breathing.

See on www.cbsnews.com

Addiction Neuroscience Seminar

Addiction Neuroscience: Interpretation and Implications for public policy, legal practice, ethics, treatment, and user identity and belief in self-efficacy

Where: MGSM, 99 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park  NSW  2113, Room 101
When: Monday 23 July: 10.00 – 4.00
How to join: attendance is free, if you register by sending an email to anke.snoek@mq.edu.au

Conference outline
A central focus of the workshop will be Adrian Carter and Wayne Hall’s new book Addiction Neuroethics: The Promises and Perils of Neuroscience Research on Addiction (Cambridge University Press 2012). The book examines the social, ethical and public policy issues raised by neuroscience research and its potential applications in the treatment and prevention of addiction and the formulation of social policies towards drug use.

Commentors on the book will be Nita Farahany (Professor of Law and Philosophy, Vanderbilt Law School), Antony Duff (Professor of Criminal Law, University of Stirling and University of Minnesota), and Neil Levy (Deputy Director, Oxford Centre for Neuroethics; Head of Neuroethics, Florey Neuroscience Institutes, University of Melbourne).

After lunch, a panel of experts from a range of fields (policy, treatment, users associations) will discuss perspectives on the issues as raised from their own practice and experience. Panel members include among others: David McGrath (NSW Health Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Office), Nicky Bath (NUAA), Jon Currie(ANCD/SVHM), Bernard Balleine (neuroscientist at Sydney University) and Andrew Baillie (psychologist at Macquarie University).

Further insight into the issues raised will also be provided by a sneak preview of some preliminary findings from our own team’s ARC-funded empirical research on substance dependence, identity and moral agency. (http://www.radar.org.au/viewproject.aspx?projectid=1844&index=0&search=yes)

Also interesting
You might also be interested in the “neurolaw” stream at the Australian Society of Legal Philosophy (ASLP) conference hosted at Macquarie University from 20th-22nd July: http://aslp.eventbrite.com/


Safer Injecting Workshop – Sydney

MSIC Safer Injecting Workshop (4 Hours) 11 July 0930-1330

 

Provides participants with an understanding of:

  • ·         Harm Reduction and the role of specialist services
  • ·         Injecting drug use and associated harms
  • ·         Safer Injecting information
  • ·         Practical demonstration of techniques using a mannequin
  • ·         Legal and ethical issues

 

Cost $150

 

Email rohang@sydneymsic.com for more information or visit www.sydneymsic.com and click on training for the registration form.

 

Ian Webster Scholarship

A new scholarship aimed at building leadership and management capacity in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector, pays tribute to one of the sector’s leading lights, Professor Ian Webster.

The Ian Webster Scholarship program recognises Professor Webster’s contributions to FARE over the last 10 years, as well as the exceptional leadership he continues to demonstrate in his work throughout the not-for-profit sector and in his various advisory roles to government.

The Scholarship will be awarded each year to an applicant who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the AOD sector and will provide $10,000 towards a program of study, independently-led research or personal development opportunities.

Professor Webster was the FARE Board’s inaugural Chair from 2001 until 2009 and continued as a board member until 2011. Currently a Consultant Physician in the Shoalhaven area, Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales, and Chief Patron of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia.

FARE Chief Executive, Michael Thorn, says the new scholarship is a wonderful opportunity to recognise Professor Webster.

“Few, if any, have made such a valuable contribution to the sector.  Professor Webster’s passion, leadership and dedication to his work exemplify the values we seek to promote and foster. It is most fitting that the Ian Webster Scholarship will provide individuals with the opportunity to develop their own ability to become a successful leader in the sector,” Mr Thorn said.

Professor Webster’s previous research and publications have covered preventive medicine, medical practice, ageing, disability, homelessness, alcohol and other drug problems, suicide prevention and social issues in health.

He has also chaired a number of Commonwealth and State Government inquiries and reviews in disability, health, mental health and alcohol and other drug problems.

Among his other honours, Professor Webster received the Prime Minister’s Award at the 2009 Drug and Alcohol Awards, became a Life Fellow with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (2006), was named Life Governor of the Community Health and Tuberculosis Australia (2003), is a Life Member of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (2002) and was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in 1995.

At the launch of the Scholarship, Professor Webster said he was honoured by the creation of the scholarship, and applauded FARE’s on-going commitment to ensuring the sector remains robust into the future.

“The complex challenges we face today from the use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs are on-going. While the new scholarship is a great personal honour, more importantly, it is a valuable opportunity to encourage the growth and development of the people who will face these challenges and lead the alcohol and drug sector into the future,” Professor Webster said.

Applications opened Friday 18 May 2012 and will close at 5.00pm Saturday 30 June 2012. Further information including application forms and full terms and conditions are available online at http://www.fare.org.au/community/ian-webster-scholarship/.