ACT AOD Sector Project
The AOD Sector Project is a capacity
building Project that began on 23 July 2007, and is funded by the
AOD Policy Unit, ACT Health. The Youth Coalition of the ACT was the
successful tenderer to provide support
to
ACT AOD
Workers to conduct the AOD Sector Project. The Project aims to build
the capacity and identity of the ACT AOD sector, foster intra and cross-sectoral
relationships, and improve outcomes
while maintaining respect for the diversity of services and
for people who are affected by AOD. For more information visit www.aodsector.org.au or contact Amanda Bode,
ACT AOD Sector Project Officer, Youth Coalition of the ACT on info@aodsector.org.au or (02) 6247 3540.
ACT AOD Services Directory
The ACT AOD Services Directory aims to support workers to make referrals
to AOD services in the ACT, increase cross and intra-sectoral knowledge
and foster collaborations. It also aims to better communicate the diverse
range of services and programs in the ACT AOD Sector.
The Directory was developed in response to the identified need of the
sector, and has been produced as a partnership between the ACT AOD Sector
Project and the ACT AOD Workers’ Group. To view the ACT AOD Services Directory
visit www.aodsector.org.au/public/activities/directory.htm
May ACT AOD Sector Forum
The May ACT AOD sector forum will be hosted by the Sobering Up Shelter.
Date: Thursday 22 May 2008
Time: 9.15am for arrivals, forum 9.30am - 11.30am
Guest Speaker: To be confirmed
Venue: Sobering Up Shelter, Ground Floor, ‘M' Block, Ainslie Village, Quick Street,
Campbell
Note: This forum is for AOD Workers only.
For more information or to RSVP contact Amanda Bode, ACT AOD
Sector Project Officer, Youth Coalition of the ACT on info@aodsector.org.au or
(02) 6247
3540
ACT Drug Action Week Planning Group and Calendar of Events
ACT AOD Sector Project
Drug Action Week 2008 is a week of activities held nationally to raise
awareness about AOD issues in Australia and
is an initiative of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia
(ADCA). It will be held from 22 – 28 June 2008, with the theme ‘Alcohol
is a Drug – TOO!' Visit www.drugactionweek.org.au for more information
about Drug Action Week 2008. In past years, a number of events have been
hosted in the ACT such as
training, seminars, performances, service open days and service stalls.
With your help, we hope to make this year's Drug Action Week even bigger
and better in the ACT.
Anyone can get involved and their are no limitations when it comes to
organising your own activity.
The ACT AOD Sector Project is coordinating an ACT Drug Action Week Planning Group
, in response to the stated need of the sector. The Planning Group is
involved in the development of activities for Drug Action Week and is
open to anyone in the sector. Details of the next meeting are:
When: Thursday 8 May
Time: 2 - 3pm
Where: Youth Coalition Office, 46 Clianthus St O'Connor.
In addition to the Planning Group the ACT AOD Sector Project, Youth Coalition
of the ACT will be developing and distributing an ACT calendar of Drug
Action
Week
events.
The deadline
for inclusion in the calendar is Monday May 19 2008.
For more information or to get involved contact Amanda Bode, ACT AOD
Sector Project Officer, Youth Coalition of the ACT on info@aodsector.org.au or (02) 6247 3540.
Date For Your Diary: Drug Action Week Conference
The ACT Alcohol and Other Drug Sector Project is organising an alcohol Conference
to be held on Wednesday 25 June 2008, as part of Drug Action Week.
The Conference will focus on Alcohol and incorporate sessions that
will examine current and past policies, as well as current trends and
practices related to alcohol. This will provide a context for participants
to better understand and engage with issues related to Alcohol nationally
and locally.
Key themes of conference sessions include a focus on past
and present Alcohol policy nationally and in the ACT, drinking in Australia
as a cultural
issue and interventions with people experiencing alcohol related issues
The
Conference will be open to the Alcohol and Other Drug, Youth, Mental
Health and Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) sectors
as well
as the broader community.
When: Wednesday 25 June 2008
Time: 8.30am - 5pm
Note: More information and registration forms will be available soon.
For more information contact Amanda Bode, ACT AOD Sector Project
Officer, Youth Coalition of the ACT on info@aodsector.org.au or (02) 6247 3540.
See also theTraining and Professional Development section for the ACT Training and Professional Development Calendar.
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Update on Project activities.
Information from services that attended the AOD Sector monthly forum.
A special section for the May eBulletin in the lead up to Reconciliation Week.
Launches, key weeks, international days and program and service activities.
Information from the EDs' group that is relevant to the AOD sector and workers.
Information on networks, resources, websites, factsheets and tools for workers.
Training for the AOD and allied sectors, including upcoming seminars, conferences,
bus tours, courses and other professional development opportunities.
New research, reports, inquiry findings, and any key policy activities effecting
the AOD sector.
Media releases and news items relevant to the ACT AOD Sector.
Information items about consumer participation that are relevant to the AOD sector
and workers.
Information from and about allied sectors that is relevant to the AOD sector
and workers.
Employment opportunities in the ACT AOD and allied sectors.
Upcoming grants, funding opportunities and tenders.
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Needle Exchange Programs in Australian Prisons: Making it Happen
Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users' League (AIVL)
AIVL is hosting a public forum in conjunction with World Hepatitis Day
and National Hepatitis C Awareness Week to explore the issue of needle
exchange programs in Australian prisons. Speakers include:
-
Alex Wodak (Director, Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney)
-
Gino Vumbaca (Executive Director, Australian National Council on Drugs)
-
Michael Moore (Chief Executive Officer, Public Health Association of Australia)
-
Helen Watchirs (ACT Human Rights and Discrimination Commissioner)
-
Wayne Capper (Prisoner Advocate)
When: Tuesday 20 May 2008
Time: 9.30am - 12pm
Where: ACT Legislative Assembly, Exhibition Room, First Floor (London Circuit, Canberra
City)
Food: The forum will be followed by a light lunch
RSVP: By Friday 9 May 2008 to Steve, AIVL on (02) 6279 1600 or stevel@aivl.org.au
Click here to download a flyer.
ACT 2008-09 Budget Forum for the Community Sector
ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS)
The ACT Budget will be announced on Tuesday 6 May 2008. ACTCOSS will hold
its annual post-budget briefing the following day. The forum will outline
the impact of the Government's financial plan on the community sector.
ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope has been invited to speak at this year's
forum. ACTCOSS Director, Ara Cresswell, and community representatives will
provide an overview of the 2008-09 Budget.
When: Wednesday 7 May 2008
Time: 12.30 - 2pm
Where: Function Room, Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, 2nd Floor, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra City
Food: Light refreshments will be provided.
RSVP: By Tuesday 6 May, to Brooke McKail
For more information Contact Brooke McKail, ACTCOSS on (02) 6202 7222
or brooke.mckail@actcoss.org.au
National Hepatitis Awareness Week
Hepatitis Australia
World Hepatitis Day takes place on May 19, the
first day of National Hepatitis Awareness Week, which runs May 19 - May
26 2008. World Hepatitis Day focuses on raising awareness of viral hepatitis
in a coordinated global campaign, and the activities and events will continue
throughout
the week as we continue our tradition of a National Hepatitis Awareness
Week. Together we can all make a difference, and help raise awareness of
hepatitis B and C locally and globally. If you would like to get involved
or find
out more, please email wendy@hepatitisaustralia.com or visit http://hepatitisaustralia.com/
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External Review of the ACT AOD Service System
An External Review of the
ACT Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Service System was recently completed
by Siggins Miller Consultants on behalf of ACT
Health. The reviewers considered the current arrangements, the changing
needs of the population and the ACT community, the issues affecting
the AOD service system, and its capacity to address them.
You can download the full report, the summary report, & the ACT AOD sector profile at www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10133064&pid=1206593605. Links to other AOD publications and the ACT AOD Sector website
are also provided.
Indigenous AOD Workers’ Wellbeing, Stress and Burnout: Call for Submissions
National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA)
NCETA at Flinders
University has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health
and Ageing to undertake national research on the wellbeing of Indigenous and
non-Indigenous health workers (who see a high proportion of Indigenous clients)
working in the Alcohol and Other Drugs field.
NCETA would like to invite interested parties to submit their views on these
issues. You do not need to be an Indigenous Australian to participate in this
process; you may wish to respond as a non-Indigenous person who works/has worked
with significant numbers of Indigenous clients and/or colleagues. Submissions
should address the key themes/questions in the submission pro-forma and follow
the guidelines for submissions.
Submissions must be received by 5.00pm, Monday 16th June 2008.
An electronic version of the submission forms can be downloaded from the NCETA
website at www.nceta.flinders.edu.au. For more information contact Amanda Tovell on (08) 8201 7543
National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) Website Launched
NCPIC
The NCPIC mission is to reduce the use of cannabis in Australia by preventing
uptake and providing the community with evidence-based information and interventions.
They have recently launched their website which contains information for the
workforce, cannabis users, family and friends of users, young people, Indigenous
communities and the general community. Visit their website at http://ncpic.org.au
New Drugs and Driving Website
Australian Drug Foundation (ADF)
With support from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), the Australian
Drug Foundation’s DrugInfo Clearinghouse has redeveloped its Drugs and
Driving
website. The redeveloped and revamped
website aims to educate drivers and people who use drugs about the risks
they could be taking if they take drugs (including alcohol) and drive.
Visit the site at www.drugsdriving.adf.org.au/
Nominations Open - 2008 Crime and Violence Prevention Awards
2008 Crime and Violence Prevention Awards
The Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards recognise and reward
such programs. They include monetary awards totalling up to $130,000
and are an opportunity to showcase best practice in the reduction or
prevention of violence and other types of crime in the Australian community.
Award nominations can be for large or small projects involving the community
in a significant way, and can be led by either government or non-government
organisations or by individuals. Programs might deal with reduction in
crime and violence for specific groups such as rural and remote communities,
women, Indigenous people, young people and families, or they might focus
on specific problems like alcohol-related violence or crime in sport. Applications close 26 May 2008.
Visit www.aic.gov.au/acvpa to download a copy of the registration form
or email acvpa@aic.gov.au for more information.
New Support To Deal With Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Australian Drug Foundation (ADF)
The ADF's Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN) provides
a central point of access to over 1,800 quality internet-based alcohol and other
drug information sites from Australia and around the world. A new “Topic Centre”
has been added to the ADIN site to allow easy access for university counsellors
to assessment and screening tools, clinical guidelines, key reports, treatment
services, training opportunities and other resources to assist with addressing
clients’ alcohol, drug and mental health issues in their practice.
Seven other ADIN Topic Centres, which provide links to websites and online resources
on particular subjects, have recently been revised. They include Alcohol and
Drug Services; Comorbidity; Databases and Research; Indigenous Communities; Information
for Schools; Multicultural Communities; and Young People.
To find out more, visit www.adin.com.au or call Charlotte George on (03) 9278
8122.
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Note: Most of the reports and research items referenced below are available from
the Alcohol and Other Drug Council of Australias National Resource Centre
at www.adca.org.au/resource/index.htm
Addressing (part of) the prevention agenda
Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government
The Commonwealth Government announced, on 8 April, the establishment
of a National Preventative Health Taskforce ‘made up of health experts
from around Australia, [that] will develop strategies to tackle the
health challenges caused by tobacco, alcohol and obesity, and develop
a National Preventative Health Strategy by June 2009’. It is chaired
by Dr Rob Moodie, Professor of Global Health at the Nossal Institute
for Global Health at the University of Melbourne and the former CEO
of VicHealth. One of its members is Professor Mike Daube, Professor
of Public Health at Curtin University of Technology and an effective
advocate for improved tobacco controls. This is a particularly welcome
new national policy initiative owing to the relative neglect of prevention
in the National Drug Strategy to date.
Details are online at www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr08-nr-nr046.htm .
Review of the ACT Liquor Act 1975
Justice and Community Safety, ACT Government
The ACT Government plans to review the ACT Liquor Act to bring it up-to-date.
The Act is available online at www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1975-19/default.asp and a detailed Discussion Paper, prepared by the Office of Regulatory
Services, is at www.fairtrading.act.gov.au/businessnames/News.html .
Submissions contributing to the Review have been invited by the Government;
the closing date is 30 June.
Roadside drug testing to be introduced in the ACT, and a forthcoming
review of the ACT Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977
Territory and Municipal Services, ACT Government
The ACT Government has announced that it will be reviewing the Road Transport
(Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977 which is online at www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1977-17/default.asp . In an 8 April announcement, the Minister for Territory & Municipal Services, Mr John Hargreaves, said that the revised Act will include
provisions for roadside drug testing, but that the Review will go far
beyond that to cover all aspects of alcohol- and other drug-related road
transport policy and practice. It is expected that a Discussion Paper,
canvassing the issues and inviting public submissions, will be released
in May.
National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2007: ‘Overall declines seen in tobacco,
alcohol and illicit drug use, but some teen behaviours still risky’
Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW)
This are the topline findings of the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household
Survey, released on 27 April: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
2008, 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: first results,
AIHW cat. no. PHE 98, Drug Statistics Series, no. 20, AIHW, Canberra. The
report s online at www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10579 and information on obtaining printed copies, free of charge, is at
the same URL.
National Alliance Against Alcohol Related Violence survey
The newly-formed National Alliance Against Alcohol Related Violence,
a consortium of 25 community, research and other agencies, has surveyed
alcohol-related violence, among other things. They advise that ‘The new
research shows close to 1 in 5 Australians have revealed they or someone
in their life has been affected by alcohol related violence. Roy Morgan
research also shows 14 million Australians are now concerned about alcohol
related violence and 10 million Australians are more concerned about
the issue of alcohol related violence than they were 3 years ago. Over
10 million Australians say they are concerned about alcohol related violence
when visiting licensed premises and entertainment districts after dark.’
Details are online at www.aerf.com.au/pages/page37.asp .
What are the costs to Australian society of tobacco, alcohol and illicit
drugs?
The long-awaited update of the social costs of drugs to Australian society
has just been published. It reveals that ‘Of the total social costs of
drug abuse in 2004/05 of $55.2 billion, alcohol accounted for $15.3 billion
(27.3 per cent of the unadjusted total), tobacco $31.5 billion (56.2
per cent) and illicit drugs $8.2 billion (14.6 per cent). Alcohol and
illicit drugs acting together accounted for another $1.1 billion (1.9
per cent)’. The full report, and a 27-page summary, are online at www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/mono64 . Printed copies are also available; ordering details are found at www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/publications-order
Collins, DJ & Lapsley, HM 2008, The costs of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug abuse to Australian
society in 2004/05, Monograph Series no. 64, Department of Health and
Ageing, Canberra.
The Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative (IDDI) in rural areas
The IDDI is a police and court diversion scheme, implemented in each
State and Territory as a COAG initiative. Since its inception, concern
has been expressed that the IDDI has not served country people well,
compared with their city counterparts, particularly because of the limited
drug treatment and education services located outside the major centres.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has investigated this
concern. They conclude, as have most of the evaluations of IDDI, that
‘While
some
information
is available
about
the inputs and outputs of the IDDI, there is limited information about
the outcomes of the Initiative’. Indigenous people have been particularly
disadvantaged in this initiative, and the exclusion of people in contact
with the police and courts for alcohol-related offences is especially
problematic. Better information systems, especially covering intervention
outcomes, are needed, AIHW concludes.
Available online only: Australian Institute of Health & Welfare 2008, The effectiveness of the Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative in
rural and remote Australia, Drug Statistics Series no. 19, AIHW cat.
no. PHE 96, Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, Canberra, www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10496
Do people assessed for drug problems, but not treated, benefit from assessment
alone?
The emerging research into the benefits people derive from being on waiting
lists, although not admitted into treatment (mentioned in previous eBulletin
issues) links to new research which appears to demonstrate that people
screened for alcohol-related problems (in this case using the familiar
AUDIT screening instrument), but not actually treated, have improved
outcomes in terms of levels of drinking at follow-up. See McCambridge,
J & Day, M 2008, ‘Randomized controlled trial of the effects of completing the Alcohol
Use Disorders Identification Test questionnaire on self-reported hazardous
drinking’, Addiction, vol. 103, no. 2, pp. 241-8.
The mechanisms operating here are unclear, but are discussed in a commentary
in the same issue of Addiction: Moos, RH 2008, ‘Context and mechanisms
of reactivity to assessment and treatment’, Addiction, vol. 103, no.
2, pp. 249-50.
What is known about the effectiveness of prison-based drug substitution
treatment?
Programs of opioid substitution treatment (ST) using methadone and buprenorphine
are well-established in the community, but poorly implemented in many
Australian prisons. Evidence as to the effectiveness of this intervention
in prisons has recently been reviewed. The reviewers found that, globally,
it is mainly used for detoxification and only rarely for maintenance
therapy. They concluded:
Results show that prison-based ST and especially prison-based methadone
maintenance treatment (PMMT) can reduce drug use and injection in penal
institutions. Moreover, PMMT provision can reduce injecting risk behaviours
as well as drugs charges and re-admission rates. However, for PMMT to
retain patients in treatment and reduce illegal drug use and criminal
behaviour a sufficiently high dose of methadone (e.g., >60 mg) and the treatment duration lasting the entire period of imprisonment appear
crucial.
It is hoped that these findings will inform the treatment regime at
the Alexander Maconochie Centre as many Australian prisons use opioid
substitution
only for detoxication and not for maintenance.
Source: Stallwitz, A & Stöver, H 2007, ‘The impact of substitution treatment in prisons - a literature
review’, International Journal of Drug Policy, vol. 18, no. 6, pp. 464-74.
What do we know about psychosocial interventions for people with both
severe mental illness and substance misuse?
Systematic reviews have been undertaken of published randomised controlled
trials (RCTs) comparing psychosocial interventions for substance misuse
with standard care in people with serious mental illness.
The reviewers found a reasonable number of high quality studies of psychosocial
dual diagnosis interventions and concluded that:
Three types of interventions
(group counseling, contingency management, and residential dual diagnosis
treatment) show consistent positive effects
on substance use disorder, whereas other interventions have significant
impacts on other areas of adjustment (e.g., case management enhances
community tenure and legal interventions increase treatment participation).
Current studies are limited by heterogeneity of interventions, participants,
methods, outcomes, and measures. Treatment of co-occurring severe mental
illness and substance use disorder now has a large but heterogeneous
evidence base that nevertheless supports several types of interventions.
Future research will need to address methodological standardization,
longitudinal perspectives, interventions for subgroups and stages,
sequenced interventions, and the changing realities of treatment systems.
Drake, RE, O’Neal, EL & Wallach, MA 2008, ‘A systematic review of psychosocial research on psychosocial
interventions for people with co-occurring severe mental and substance
use disorders’, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, vol. 34, no. 1,
pp. 123-38. See also Cleary, M, Hunt, G, Matheson, S, Siegfried, N & Walter, G 2008, ‘Psychosocial interventions for people with both severe mental
illness and substance misuse’, Cochrane Database Syst Rev, no. 1, p.
CD001088.
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