Category Archives: Professional News

Seminar: Reducing alcohol harms – A global perspective

Invitation to Reducing alcohol harms: A global perspective

 

Want to know how Australia compares to other countries in alcohol policy development?

 

Want to know what policies are working overseas to reduce alcohol harms and how Australia can learn from these experiences?

 

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and the Kettil Bruun Society invite you to attend a public forum on alcohol policy featuring experts from around the world.

 

Professor Robin Room, Director of the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR) will facilitate the forum which will include presentations from:

 

  • Professor Petra Meier, Sheffield Alcohol Research Group, University of Sheffield, England
  • Professor Charles Parry, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, Medical Research Council of South Africa
  • Dr Ann Hope, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College, Ireland
  • Associate Professor David Jernigan, Centre on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States of America
  • Professor Tanya Chikritzhs, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Australia
  • Professor Sally Casswell, SHORE, Massey University, New Zealand

To hear world leading researchers talking about alcohol policy, RSVP today.

 

Event details

Date: 12 September 2014

Time: 10.00am – 1pm

Venue: Ballroom at Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier Street, Fitzroy

RSVP: By COB 8 September 2014 to Sarah Maloney by email sarah.maloney@fare.org.au  or phone (02) 6122 8600.

 

The Kettil Bruun Society Thematic meeting and related events are supported with funding from VicHealth, the City of Yarra and the Australian Government Department of Health.

 

Follow the link to the official invitation.

 

National Alcohol and Drug Knowledgebase launches

The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), with support of the Australian Government Department of Health, is pleased to announce the launch of Australia’s first comprehensive online National Alcohol and Drug Knowledgebase. The Knowledgebase gives health practitioners, researchers, policy makers and the general public a valuable new tool to help them address alcohol-related issues. It provides a concise and user-friendly way of accessing the vast amount of information in existing alcohol-related datasets that cover health, social welfare, law enforcement and education issues. In the first instance, the Knowledgebase addresses alcohol and in the near future other drug topics will also be covered.

The Alcohol Section of the Knowledgebase contains more than 130 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about:

  • Consumption patterns
  • Alcohol use and the workplace
  • Alcohol-related harms
  • The impact of alcohol consumption on crime and violence
  • Treatment
  • Young people.

In developing the Alcohol Section of the Knowledgebase, NCETA sourced all of the available alcohol-related datasets produced in Australia and as new data becomes available the Knowledgebase will be revised and updated to ensure that it is current and reliable.

Over time, NCETA will expand the Knowledgebase to include information about a range of illicit and pharmaceutical drugs.

The Knowledgebase can be accessed from: http://nadk.flinders.edu.au/ and also from the NCETA homepage: www.nceta.flinders.edu.au

Queensland Pharmacotherapy Advocacy & Mediation Service

What is QPAMS?

QPAMS is the QLD Pharmacotherapy Advocacy & Mediation Service.

A peer based service supporting people who are on pharmacotherapy treatment in QLD.

QPAMS has now been operating for over 3 years and has assisted over 450 people with issues relating to their treatment!

 

How can QPAMS help?
QPAMS can provide people with information and support about methadone or bupe treatment.
QPAMS can help people sort out any issues or problems with their treatment program, clinic, pharmacy or prescriber.
QPAMS can support people to access pharmacotherapy treatment by providing referrals to clinics and GP’s

If you need to talk about any opiate treatment related issues, give QPAMS a call

How can I access QPAMS?
Call QPAMS on 1800 175 889x

It’s a free call number and it’s confidential!

QPAMS is open Monday to Friday

If your call is not answered, please leave a message and the QPAMS worker will call you back.

Or you can drop in to see us! QPAMS is in the QuIHN building at 1 Hamilton Rd, Bowen Hills, Brisbane

 

To download the QPAMS poster and brochure please visit http://www.quihn.org/index.php/20-qpams-brisbane

AIHW 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey Results Encouraging

Press release from the AIHW. The outcomes on smoking are particularly encouraging:

Smoking rates in Australia continue to drop, according to new results released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The key findings from the AIHW’s 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, released online today, show that fewer Australians are smoking daily-the daily smoking rate dropped significantly between 2010 and 2013, from 15.1% to 12.8% among people 14 or older.

‘This means the daily smoking rate has halved since 1991,’ said AIHW spokesperson Geoff Neideck.

‘Smokers have also reduced the average number of cigarettes they smoke per week-down from 111 cigarettes in 2010 to 96 cigarettes in 2013.’

And the results show younger people are delaying starting. The proportion of 12-17 year olds who had never smoked remained high in 2013 at 95%, and the proportion of 18-24 year olds who had never smoked increased significantly between 2010 and 2013 (from 72% to 77%).

The age at which 14 to 24-year-olds smoked their first full cigarette was almost 16, rising from 14.2 to 15.9 years of age between 1995 and 2013.

Younger people are also continuing to delay their first alcoholic drink. The age at which 14 to 24-year-olds first tried alcohol rose from 14.4 to 15.7 years of age between 1998 and 2013.

‘Overall, fewer younger people aged 12 to 17 are drinking alcohol, with the proportion abstaining from alcohol rising from 64% to 72% between 2010 and 2013,’ Mr Neideck said.

‘And more good news is that compared to 2010, fewer people overall drank alcohol in quantities that exceeded the lifetime risk and single occasion risk guidelines in 2013.’

However, almost 5 million people in Australia aged 14 or older (26%) reported being a victim of an alcohol-related incident in 2013-a decline from 29% in 2010.

‘We’ve also seen declines in the use of ecstasy (from 3.0% to 2.5%), heroin (from 0.2% to 0.1%) and GHB (from 0.1% to less than 0.1%) in 2013, but the misuse of pharmaceuticals is on the rise (from 4.2% in 2010 to 4.7% in 2013),’ Mr Neideck said.

‘While the use of meth/amphetamine remained at a similar level to 2010, there was a major shift in the main form of meth/amphetamine used. Use of powder dropped significantly while the use of ice (or crystal methamphetamine) more than doubled between 2010 and 2013.

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey is conducted every 2-3 years. The 2013 survey collected data from nearly 24,000 people across Australia from 31 July to 1 December 2013.

The AIHW is a major national agency set up by the Australian Government to provide reliable, regular and relevant information and statistics on Australia’s health and welfare.

Canberra, 17 July 2014

Jobs: Quitline Counsellor, Sydney

If you have great people skills, are motivated by smoking cessation, harm reduction and client-centred practice, then Quitline would love to hear from you.

Alcohol and Drug Clinicians to work as a NSW Quitline Advisor

  • Fixed term (minimum 6 months), Part  time positions
  • 16 to 32 hours per week

St Vincent’s Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service is a long standing centre for excellence providing drug health specialist assistance in a range of face to face treatment clinics and harm reduction by educating, advising and referring the public via telephone and web services. It is well reputed as a training ground for professional health workers in the Alcohol and Drug field.

We are looking for clinicians keen to work across our services. This recruitment round is for staff for the NSW Quitline which works to help people quit smoking tobacco…and stay quit.

If you are energetic, qualified and keen to reduce the harms caused by smoking, we would be happy to welcome you to our friendly team. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island Health Workers are encouraged to apply. We also welcome bilingual applicants.

The successful applicants would work rotating shift rosters. NSW Quitline requires you to be a non-smoker.

Please read these criteria carefully. You will be contacted to discuss your application if you have responded to all the following criteria.

Essential Criteria:

  • Appropriate health qualification and registration
  • Demonstrated awareness of alcohol and drug issues
  • Demonstrated awareness of smoking cessation issues
  • Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction when working with clients
  • Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Computer literacy skill (minimum intermediate level)
  • Demonstrated knowledge of working with a database
  • Demonstrated interest in working as a team member
  • Demonstrated interest in professional development
  • Demonstrated knowledge of alcohol and drug issues in culturally diverse communities.
  • Immunisation history complies with NSW Health Policy Directive PD2011_005.
  • The Philosophy, Mission and Values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries

Desirable criteria:

  • Counselling experience.
  • People from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background encouraged to apply
  • Experience working with alcohol and drug dependent people in a specialist or non specialist setting.
  • Demonstrated high level computer skills, at least with Microsoft Office.
  • Call Centre/ telecommunications experience.
  • Smoking cessation related work experience.
  • Current NSW drivers licence.

Enquiries:
David Lester, Manager, Phone: (02) 8382 1055

Application Instructions:
Applicants are requested to apply online and to address the selection criteria.
Please address your application to: David Lester, Manager.

2014 APSAD Awards for Excellence In Science, Research and Practice

APSAD is now calling for nominations for the 2014 APSAD Awards.

The Annual APSAD Awards for Excellence in Science, Research and Practice are designed to provide peer recognition for those working in the drug and alcohol field in Australasia.

We have revamped the APSAD Awards and we are pleased to announce the inclusion of a new Clinician Award for any individual providing direct delivery of clinical services, or operating in a strategic managerial position directly relating to service provision, see the Information Pack on the website for more information and the nomination process.

There are four categories of Award:

  • Early Career
  • Senior Scientist
  • First People’s
  • Clinician

All four Awards reflect excellence in the application of theory and knowledge to any aspect of drug and alcohol use or misuse. Recipients of the APSAD Awards will be recognised as having made an outstanding contribution to reducing the harms associated with alcohol and other drug use in Australasia.

Each Award receives;

  1. A plaque and a certificate
  2. $1,000 to go towards subsidising the costs of attending an international or national conference of the nominee’s choice. This could include the APSAD Conference
  3. One year full membership subscription to APSAD
  4. One full registration to the APSAD Conference next year

 

The Early Career Award receives as an extra:

  1. Presentation of the Early Career Keynote address at the 2014 APSAD Conference
  2. A voucher for one night’s accommodation to attend the APSAD Conference next year.

 

The Awards will be presented at the 2014 APSAD Conference Dinner in Adelaide on 11th November.

Focus of the Awards
  • The Early Career Award is for excellence in research relative to career opportunities.
  • The Senior Scientist Award is for a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of substance use and misuse.
  • The First People’s Award recognises an individual that had made and important contribution to the advancement of the health of Aboriginal, Islander or Māori peoples.
  • The Clinician Award recognises excellence and leadership in clinical practice in the field of substance use in any discipline.

All four Awards reflect excellence in the application of theory and knowledge to any aspect of drug and alcohol use or misuse.

The Awards are designed to;

  • acknowledge significant contributions to AOD science and practice;
  • recognise and support young scientists with exceptional potential; and
  • provide role models for future generations of Australasian AOD scientists and clinicians

For further information and to obtain the Information pack and the nomination form, visit the APSAD Awards page on the APSAD Website or contact the APSAD Office:

Ph:     (02) 9252-2287

Email:  exec.officer@apsad.org.au

Nominations are due by 17:00 5th September 2014

Hepatitis C Training – Victoria

Bloody Serious Facts Training: Hepatitis C – 2014 Registrations Now Open!

When:                  Wednesday 13th August , 10am-1pm

(additional sessions on 12th November)

Where:                Suite 5, 200 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Cost:                      $25.00 per person or free if your organisation is a member (up to two members)

Spaces are limited!  For more information and to register visit www.hepvic.org.au/bloodyseriousfacts

This workshop is designed for drug and alcohol workers, nurses, NSP workers, community health staff, students of health professions, prison staff, welfare workers and anyone else working with people who are at risk of or affected by hepatitis C.

The session is delivered in partnership with Harm Reduction Victoria and the Victorian Viral Hepatitis Educator (from St. Vincent’s) and covers

1)      An intro to hepatitis C including transmission, prevention, disclosure and discrimination

2)      Diagnosis and treatment (including a personal perspective)

3)      The impact and meaning of hepatitis C for people who inject drugs

4)      Case studies of clients at risk of or affected by hepatitis C

To confirm attendance please submit payment and email details using the registration form at www.hepvic.org.au/bloodyseriousfacts or email call Hepatitis Victoria on (03) 9385 9101

 

Stimulants Services Sydney

Stimulant Services
St Vincent’s Hospital
Level 2, O’Brien Centre
Cnr Burton and Victoria Streets
Darlinghurst
Ph 93618078

Drop In Clinic
Monday to Friday (closed Wednesday) 8.30am to 12pm
The STP Drop-in clinic is open for anyone who uses stimulants. People can attend without an appointment and are provided with 30 minute sessions to address immediate concerns or needs related to their use of methamphetamine or other stimulants.

Outpatient Group:    The Link Group
Wednesday 5.30pm to 7.00pm
This is a topic discussion group using strengths based approaches to support resilience and decision making.  We run a mixed, friendly group that is open to the public. The trained staff are there to invite friendly, considerate discussions on topics that are more about life experiences than drug use which many people find helpful and refreshing. No booking or assessment required, just turn up.

Checkup clinic:    S-Check – Stimulant Checkup Clinic            www.scheck.com.au
Monday – Friday 8.30am to 5pm
S-Check  at St Vincent’s Hospital is a Stimulant Check up, specifically designed for anyone who is using stimulants whether it be a little or a lot, all the time or only sometimes. It’s a place where people can get a non-judgemental, confidential health and wellbeing check with trained professionals.  This is not treatment or a rehab service; it’s much more like making an appointment for a skin check, a dental check-up or any other health check except this one is for people who are using stimulants.

Counselling Service:    STP – Stimulant Treatment Program

Monday – Friday 8.30am to 5pm

This was the first integrated and collaborative treatment program to deal systematically with stimulant related problems. Our counsellors are experienced in working with people who use stimulants and are aware of their specialised needs. The team endeavours to work creatively with their clients in addressing the broader psychosocial factors that both contribute to, and result from problematic stimulant use. Our therapeutic work draws from Strengths base approaches: Mindfulness, Gestalt, Client-Centred and Narrative.

The National CREMS Conference – Register

From the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use:

The NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use (CREMS) is pleased to announce their 2nd  National Conference!

‘Substance use and mental health concerns in young people: Sharing online and interactive resources’

Based on last’s years huge success, the NHMRC CREMS is delighted to invite you to attend the second National CREMS Conference! This conference will be taking place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday 26th August, held in conjunction with The Mental Health Services Conference. It will feature an exciting full-day program with an update on latest research and will showcase the innovative evidence-based resources developed for the prevention and treatment of comorbid mental health and substance use conditions in young people.

For more information please see the flyer attached and also visit the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use.

Registration is now available online at http://www.themhs.org/pages/registrations2014.html

We look forward to seeing you there! Please distribute this information through your networks and to others who would be interested.

 

Kind regards,

 

Dr Emma Barrett (University of NSW) and Dr Erica Crome (Macquarie University)

Conference Convenors

NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use

 

Jobs: Training Co-ordinator Position – Melbourne

TRAINING COORDINATOR (VIC, SA & TAS REGION)

 Melbourne CBD Location

Part-time or Full-time negotiable (4-5 days)

Remuneration based on knowledge and experience (negotiable). SMART Recovery Australia (SRAU) offers salary packaging.

About SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery is a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based program for people with addictive behaviour. It is delivered in a facilitated mutual aid (self-help) group setting.

 

About SMART Recovery Australia

SMART Recovery Australia Limited is a registered Not-for-Profit Organisation as a company limited by guarantee. SRAU is also recognised as a health promotion charity.

 

SRAU Head office is in Haymarket, Sydney.

About the Role:

The Training Coordinator (Vic, SA & Tas Region) will report directly to the SMART Recovery Australian Executive Director and be responsible for the following:

  • SMART Recovery training in the Vic, SA & Tas region.
  • Assist the further development of SMART Recovery groups in Australia with the particular focus on the Vic, SA & Tas region.
  • Assist the National Training Coordinator with other training.
  • Assist the development and implementation of refresher and new training packages.
  • Assist the SRAU team with marketing of the training and groups; including presenting at conferences.
  • Assist the development and implementation of online groups.
  • Assist with the evaluation of the training and groups.
  • Participate in the research agenda of the organisation.
  • Convene committees relevant to your role, as determined through negotiation with the Executive Director.
  • Be prepared to travel interstate.

The role will receive remote secretariat support.

Skills and Attributes:

 Essential criteria:

  • Appropriate tertiary qualification, and a graduate degree in health promotion, psychology, education or similar will be favoured.
  • High level of awareness of the alcohol and other drugs, addictions and mental health fields.
  • At least 5 years experience in the related field(s).
  • Can demonstrate excellence in facilitation and presentation skills.
  • Can demonstrate a solid understanding of models of peer support.
  • High level written, verbal, information technology and digital media skills.
  • Demonstrate can work independently, and as part of a small team.

Highly Desirable Criteria:

  • Have had experience training on-line.
  • Have had experience un-paid or paid work for a Not-for-Profit organisation.

For a copy of the position description email smartrecovery@srau.org.au

 

All applicants must:

 

  • Provide a cover letter as part of their application
  • Address the essential and highly desirable criteria, detailing how they best meet the criteria.
  • Provide a C.V. with three references.

 

For more information:

 

Contact:            Josette Freeman           Email:       jfreeman@srau.org.au

Phone:              02-9373-5100                 Website:   www.smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au

 

 

Application close on: 5pm Wednesday 30th April 2014

 

Please email applications to:   Ryan McGlaughlin, Executive Director

                                                rmcglaughlin@srau.org.au