Author Archives: James

Jobs: Health Service Manager – Sydney NSW

Health Service Manager, Level 2
Alcohol & Drug Service, St Vincent’s Hospital

 Position No: 235394
Applications Close: 24/07/2015 5:00 PM
Location: St Vincents Hospital- Darlinghurst Campus Sydney NSW
Work Type: Permanent – Full Time (Mon – Fri 38 hrs)

An opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and motivated individual seeking a Full Time management role within the Stimulant Services of St Vincent’s Alcohol and Drug Service. The Stimulant Services (incorporating the Stimulant Treatment Program and “S-Check”) is a leading innovator in responding to stimulant use disorders within the drug and alcohol sector. As the Stimulant Services Manager your responsibilities include all operational, financial, and human resource management of the unit. Working within a harm minimisation framework, you will be responsible for ensuring high quality patient-centred care is delivered in a safe environment for both staff and clients. In addition, the Stimulant Services Manager will provide both clinical oversight and leadership, and drive quality improvement initiatives, clinical policy and procedure development and implementation.

St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney (SVHNS) is committed to reconciliation and encourages Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people to apply for all advertised positions.

All applicants are required to address the Selection Criteria in their application:

Selection Criteria:

  • Personal integrity and demonstrated commitment to the Philosophy, Mission, and Values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries.
  • Postgraduate tertiary qualification in a drug and alcohol-related clinical specialty or management (or willingness to undertake the same in 12 months) or relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated financial, quality and risk management, human resource, workplace health and safety and skills within an organisational context.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to motivate, inspire and organise staff to achieve organisational, professional outcomes with the ability to work within an interdisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience of pharmacotherapy treatment as part of harm minimisation approach to alcohol and drug problems.
  • Demonstrated advanced computer literacy with MS Excel, Word, email and an electronic patient record system.
  • Proven effective negotiation and communication skills (written and verbal) with a wide range of stakeholders including patients, public and network representatives.
  • Demonstrated effective time management skills and ability to prioritise competing workloads within a complex environment.

Enquiries: Jenny O’Mahony, Manager Inner City Health, 02 8382 1519 or 0418 247 178

For further information and to apply, please go to: http://www.careersatsvmhs.com.au

Jobs: Program Manager, Sydney NSW

Program Manager at NADA

Redfern, NSW

Full time – 38 hours per week

12 months contract with possibility of extension

Salary range from $76,414 to $92,670 (depending on experience) + superannuation contribution + eligibility for salary packaging

The Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA) is the peak organisation for the non government alcohol and other drugs sector in NSW. Our goal is to advance and support non government alcohol and other drugs organisations in NSW to reduce the alcohol and drug related harm to individuals, families and the community.

If you have experience managing multiple projects, understand the non government alcohol and other drugs sector, and have the ability to develop and implement workforce development initiatives we would like to hear from you. The successful candidate for this position will be highly organised, possess strong written and verbal communication skills, and have ability the ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.

The Position Description can be downloaded here.

A Guide to Applying for NADA Positions can be downloaded here.

All applicants must:

o   Provide a cover letter as part of their application

o   Address the essential criteria outlined in the position description, detailing how they best meet the criteria

o   Provide a curriculum vitae with references.

Contact Robert Stirling robert@nada.org.au or ph. 02 8113 1320 for more information.

Closing date for applications is COB Friday 24 July 2015

Aboriginal Maternal Smoking Resource

Edith Cowan University’s Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, has partnered with Curtin University, the Aboriginal Maternity Services Support Unit and Healthway for the launch of a new online portal supporting the prevention of tobacco smoking among pregnant Aboriginal women in Western Australia (WA).

The Preventing Aboriginal maternal smoking WA (PAMSWA) portal aims to address the gap in accessing coordinated services and resources for health professionals addressing maternal smoking among pregnant Aboriginal women in WA, whose smoking rates are reported at being four times higher than non-Indigenous women.

The free to access portal provides quality information about smoking cessation and prevention to support better health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, their babies and families with the selection of content carefully evaluated to ensure it is culturally appropriate and promotes best practice methods and strategies available for working with pregnant Aboriginal women.

The portal also links to the Preventing Aboriginal maternal smoking WA yarning place to encourage information sharing and collaboration among health professionals and others involved in maternal health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Ultimately, the portal will create a solid knowledge base about Aboriginal maternal smoking and establish the site as the ‘go-to’ place for any information, resources, training opportunities and support for health professionals who work with pregnant Aboriginal women and their families, advancing Aboriginal maternal and child health outcomes.

You can access the portal here:                                 http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/population-groups/preventing-aboriginal-maternal-smoking

You can access the Yarning Place here:   http://www.yarning.org.au/group/18

Steroids and Hep C / HIV Research

Media Release: Australia at risk of significant increases in HIV and hepatitis C transmission as rates of illicit steroid injecting go up: new research
Australia is at risk of significant increases in HIV and hepatitis C transmission, Australian experts believe, as rates of illicit steroid injecting go up. A new report documents serious concern among alcohol and other drug workers and policy makers that Australia does not know enough about the practice and may fail to prevent new blood-borne virus epidemics among people who inject steroids.
The report details findings from consultations with senior alcohol and other drug experts across Australia. A common theme in their responses was the belief that Australia is not adequately equipped to deal with the growing problem of steroid use.
Many participants in the research conducted for the report caution that we do not really know how big the problem of illicit steroid use is in Australia, nor why people appear to be taking it up. One expert observed that “the horse bolted from the stable about 10 years ago, when [use] just really took off”, and that an urgent response was now required.
Other key findings from the consultation:
  • Rates of steroid use in Australia are unclear but use appears to be increasing;
  • Some policy, legal and regulatory responses to steroid use in Australia have been implemented too hastily, without sufficient evidence and in ways that may be counterproductive to harm reduction.
  • There is a lack of fit between research, policymaking and service provision in relation to steroid use in Australia;
  • Much more research is needed to better understand this emerging phenomenon, including the harms and risks associated with it.
Containing recommendations for strategies to address the rise of illicit steroid use in Australia, the report will inform policy, service provision, and relevant industries (such as the gym/fitness industry).
The consultation was undertaken by researchers from the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University and Monash University.
A full copy of the report is available at: www.addictionconcepts.com

Reducing alcohol harms with African and other newly arrived communities

Confident Communities  

A toolkit for working with African and other newly arrived communities to address alcohol-related harms

This evidence-based guide for AOD workers covers issues relevant to working with a range of diverse communities including:

  • Building cultural competency
  • How to effectively consult with a diverse range of community members to identify needs and preferences for addressing AOD harms
  • Examples of harm reduction strategies developed with newly arrived communities

Confident Communities was developed by Hunter Multicultural Community Drug Action Team and the Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) with the assistance of African migrant communities in the Hunter New England area. The toolkit can be downloaded from the Australian Drug Foundation. A limited number of hard copies can be ordered from DAMEC by calling (02) 9699 3552.

The toolkit is linked to a Facebook page where workers, organisations and the general public can share ideas and experiences relating to preventing alcohol-related harmshttps://www.facebook.com/ConfidentCommunities

This work was supported by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to stop the harm caused by alcohol.www.fare.org.au

NSW Lockout Legislation: Research Participants Wanted

Investigating displacement effects as a result of the Sydney, NSW alcohol lockout legislation

Researchers at The University of New South Wales and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre are seeking volunteer research participants to learn about potential displacement effects in Sydney nightlife following the introduction of the February 2014 Sydney Lockout Legislation. We are looking at potential effects in two key areas: Kings Cross/Potts Point and Newtown and with two different populations: residents and patrons. 

Would the research project be a good fit for me?

The study might be a good fit for you if:

  • You are aged 18 or over

AND

  • You fit one of the following criteria:

o    Resident of Newtown

o    Resident of King’s Cross/Pott’s Point

o    Patron of licensed venues in Newtown

o    Patron of licensed venues in King’s Cross/Pott’s Point

 

What would happen if I took part in the research project?

  • Complete an anonymous demographic questionnaire that will take approximately 5 minutes.
  • Take part in a focus group that will take approximately 40-50 minutes. This will discuss your experiences before and after the introductionof the lockout laws, including whether you have noticed any change in disorderly conduct, public amenity and drinking/illicit drug use in your area (Kings Cross/Potts Point or Newtown).

Focus groups will be held on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd of June at King’s Cross (Reg Murphy) Activity Centre from 6:45pm until 7:45pm, on Monday 29th of June at the Joseph Sargeant Centre (Erskineville) from 6pm until 7pm and on Tuesday 30th June from 6pm to 7pm at Brown Street Community Hall (Newtown).

Will I be paid to take part in the research project?

There are no additional costs associated with participation in this research project, nor will you be paid. Food and drink will be provided

 

Who do I contact if I want more information or want to take part in the study?

If you would like more information or are interested in being part of the study please contact:

Name: Alexander Weedon-Newstead
Email: z3375617@zmail.unsw.edu.au
Phone: 0437 751  014

 

Quitting Cannabis Seminars

The National Cannabis Prevention & Information Centre UNSW is presenting a new 4-part webinar series ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) – A Clinical Intervention’ starting in three weeks on 12, 19, 26 June and 3 July 2015. Webinars, also known as web – seminars are interactive workshops over the internet that allow geographically dispersed audiences to be reached with a simple and convenient internet logon from the participant’s desk computer.

Registration and attendance for each of the four ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) – A Clinical Intervention’ 1 hour webinars is free of charge. The intervention is especially suitable for counsellors and psychologists who have a thorough understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

For further information and to register for each webinar, please click on the links below: –

NCPIC 12th June 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) – A Clinical Intervention’ PART 1 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_12th_June_2015

NCPIC 19th June 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) – A Clinical Intervention’ PART 2 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_19th_June_2015

NCPIC 26th June 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) – A Clinical Intervention’ PART 3 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_26th_June_2015

NCPIC 3rd July 2015
11am-12noon AEST ‘Quitting Cannabis? 1-6 sessions (QC 1-6) – A Clinical Intervention’ PART 4 presented Etty Matalon, National Clinical Training Manager, NCPIC.
http://www2.redbackconferencing.com.au/NCPIC_3rd_July_2015

World Report on Addictions

Media Release from Uni of Adelaide:

The world’s first comprehensive report on global addictions has revealed Australians smoke less tobacco and drink less alcohol than the British, but Aussies take more illicit drugs.

The Global Statistics on Addictive Behaviours: 2014 Status Report, led by researchers at the University of Adelaide, is the first time that global data on the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use, and gambling, has been presented in a single compilation. A paper on the report was published today in the journal Addiction.

The paper’s lead author Associate Professor Linda Gowing, from the University of Adelaide’s School of Medical Sciences, says alcohol and tobacco use are by far the most prevalent addictive behaviours worldwide and cause the most harm.

“Approximately 84% of Australians drink alcohol at least once in a 12-month period, compared to 83.9% in the United Kingdom and 68.9% in the United States; however, 3.7% of Australians are considered to have an alcohol use disorder, compared to 12.1% in the UK and 7.8% in the US,” says Associate Professor Gowing.

“Australians are also slightly lighter smokers compared to the British, but smoking is still relatively common – 20% of Australians smoke tobacco at least once in a 12-month period, in comparison to 22% of the British.

“The report found alcohol and tobacco are the most common addictions in most countries and they are also the most harmful. 11% of deaths in males and 6% of deaths in females are linked to tobacco each year globally. Alcoholism is associated with a range of health issues and takes years off someone’s life,” she says.

Associate Professor Gowing says the data revealed the impact of illicit drugs is significant in Australia.

“10.3% of Australians smoke cannabis at least once in a 12-month period, compared to 5-7% in the UK ; 3% use ecstasy, compared to 1.1-1.7% of people in the UK; and 2.1% of Australians use amphetamine-type drugs at least once in a 12-month period, compared to 0.7-1.2% in the UK,” says Associate Professor Gowing.

Associate Professor Gowing says it is important that this data is used to further reduce the impact of alcohol abuse and tobacco smoking.

“This data is highly valuable and can be used to guide policy-makers and researchers in planning responses to addictions world-wide,” says Associate Professor Gowing.

“It’s encouraging that less Australians use tobacco and abuse alcohol than other developed countries like the US and the UK; however it’s important that we continue to work towards reducing the impact of alcohol and tobacco on the Australian community,” she says.

2015 Annual Alcohol Poll

FARE launched its 2015 Annual Alcohol Poll: Attitudes and behaviours this morning at the Victorian Parliament.

The 2015 Poll was carried out by Galaxy Research for the sixth consecutive year and provides valuable trend data and insights into community perspectives on alcohol.

Did you know that 92 per cent of Australians think that they drink responsibly? This is pretty concerning when you consider that 32 per cent of Australians drink to get drunk and in light of campaigns that call for people to drink ‘responsibly’.

A copy of the report can be found at http://www.fare.org.au/alcpoll2015/ Have a look and see what else you can find.

2015 National Cannabis Conference – call for abstracts

2015 National Cannabis Conference – call for abstracts closes 1 May 2015

The 2015 National Cannabis Conference, hosted by the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, will take place at the Rydges Melbourne, between 7 and 9 October 2015.

Call for abstracts is now open, and will close 5pm on 1 May – this means less than one month to submit your abstract.

The conference topic areas have been chosen to respond to the developing evidence-base on cannabis-related issues and include areas such as cannabis use and intervention approaches among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, road safety issues, synthetic cannabinoids and promising approaches to cannabis and comorbid mental health conditions. Highly renowned and respected international speakers have been secured for the conference, including Professor Marilyn Huestis, Professor Jose Crippa, Professor Kevin Sabet and Professor Nadia Solowij.

For information about submitting your abstract, or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.ncpic.org.au/2015conference