Category Archives: Professional News

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 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

Exercise for cannabis withdrawal treatment

Study Recruiting Now!! Exercise for cannabis withdrawal treatment

This is a 7 day inpatient cannabis detoxification study with an innovative daily exercise regime.

The study takes place at Concord Repatriation General Hospital in Sydney, and we are looking for cannabis users who are seeking help to reduce their use or quit.

Details of this study and how to get in touch can be found here: http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au/forms/exercise-study

Alternatively please feel free to download a copy of the recruitment poster and place it in your treatment facility or link to any of our recruitment materials through your webpage:
http://www.davidallsop.net/exercise-study.html

We are looking for people who need help with their cannabis use – please forwards them on.

Consumer Participation Training for Consumers (Victoria)

APSU has been delivering the Experts by Experience – training in consumer participation for consumers – since 2007. This training module is one of the main strategic components of APSU’s task to increase consumer participation in Victoria’s AOD treatment services.

The next Experts by Experience training will be held on 16 – 17 April 2015. In this training round we would mainly like to provide the opportunity for those service users that are currently engaged in some participation activities, but have not had the opportunity to attend the relevant training. We particularly encourage all service providers that have one or two active consumers to seize this training opportunity.

There is a limited number of places. We will conduct a brief telephone interview with each applicant before final enrolment.

To apply or for any further information contact ekennedy@sharc.org.au or (03) 9573 1776.

Application should contain the following information:
– Full name
– Contact telephone and e-mail
– Address
– Organisation or project that you are participating in

Final date for applications is Friday, 27 March 2015.

This training will be held at SHARC 140 Grange Road Carnegie

This training is free of charge. A light lunch will be provided.

Training schedule

Thursday, 16 April
10.30 – 12.30 Consumer Participation
12.30 – 1 Lunch
1 – 3 Victoria’s AOD Service System

Friday, 17 April
10.30 – 12.30 Advocacy and Human Rights
12.30 – 1 Lunch
1 – 3 Meetings and Consumer Boundaries

Grey Matters National Conference 2015

The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) is pleased to announce that in 2015 it will host a national conference on identifying, preventing and responding to alcohol and other drug problems among older Australians.

The Grey Matters National Conference will be held on:

Wednesday 1 April 2015 9am – 5pm at the Marion Cultural Centre, 287 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park, Adelaide.

The Conference aims to:

· Promote better understanding, and raise awareness of, alcohol and other drug issues as they impact older Australians

· Clarify the implications, for the aged care sector and the alcohol and other drug prevention / treatment sector, of trends in alcohol and drug use among older Australians

· Identify possible ways forward for cross-sectoral initiatives and response strategies.

Who should attend?

· Aged care service providers (community and residential) and policy staff

· Alcohol and other drug prevention, treatment and policy staff

· Primary care workers with a role in meeting the health and welfare needs of older Australians

A Conference flyer can be downloaded from: http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/workforce/projects_and_research/alcohol-and-drug-use-ageing-populations/events/

More details will be provided early in 2015.

First European Conference on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT: CALL FOR PAPERS
Lisbon Addictions 2015
23-25 September

The first European Conference on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies will be held in Lisbon on 23–25 September 2015. This conference is organised by SICAD (Portuguese General Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies), the journal Addiction, the EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) and ISAJE (International Society of Addiction Journal Editors).

It will provide a unique networking opportunity for researchers, practitioners and policy experts across countries and disciplines to discuss latest findings on the prevention, treatment and control of addiction.

A call for abstracts has just been published on www.lisbonaddictions.eu

You can also keep updated on latest developments through the conference newsletter, which you may subscribe on http://eepurl.com/5fZaP

Please accept our apologies if you have received this message more than once and do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@lisbonaddictions.eu should you have any questions.