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National Policy

‘Ice’ the First Priority for Government’s Reshaped Drugs and Alcohol Council
Australian Government
The Australian Government has tasked its reshaped advisory council on drugs and alcohol to examine as a priority the issues facing Australia from methamphetamine use, and in particular the rising use of the drug ice.
For more information: See the media release
 
Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Report
Steering Committee for the Review of Government Services
The Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage (OID) report measures the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. It is the sixth report in a series commissioned by all Australian governments, designed to measure progress in overcoming the disadvantage faced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. It complements a range of other reports on aspects of Indigenous policy (see figure on following page). The information in the OID report can be used to examine the nature of disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and can help inform the design of policies. Information related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug indicators is included in the report.
For more information: See the report
 
NACCHO Response to the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Report
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
The release of the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage report shows that despite some gains, there is still a long way to go, with persistently high rates of disability and chronic disease in Aboriginal people and increasing rates of self-harm and incarceration.
Incoming National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chairperson Matthew Cooke said he was concerned about the impact of policies being proposed by state and federal governments, such as the GP co-payment and closure of remote Aboriginal communities, and a failure to re-commit to joint, coordinated efforts such as through National Partnership Agreements.
For more information: See the media release

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Sector Development, Events and Activities

National Apology Anniversary: 13 February
National Sorry Day Committee Inc. (NSDC)
This event marks the anniversary of the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives on 13 February 2008 by former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, apologising for past laws, policies and practices that have impacted on Australia’s First Nations Peoples, particularly members of the Stolen Generations.
For more information including ACT events: Visit the NSDC website 
 
CONTACT Canberra to Merge with Volunteering ACT
Volunteering ACT, Contact ACT
On the 5th November the Council of CONTACT Canberra and the Board of Volunteering ACT announced that the two organisations would be merging to form Volunteering and Contact ACT, beginning in February 2015.
For more information: See the Contact Canberra Newsletter 

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Service Delivery
 
Stepping Stones to Success: Family members and friends supporting someone with alcohol and other drug issues
Family Drug Support (FDS)
Stepping Stones to Success is a structured and interactive course specifically designed to cater for the needs of family members and friends supporting someone with alcohol and other drug problems.
Date: 21-22 & 28-29 March 2015
Time: 9:30am – 4pm
Venue: Canberra Hospital Staff Development Unit, Building 5, Garran
Cost: FDS members $40 (course workbook), non-member $60 ($20 membership, $40 workbook) Fee assistance available.
For more information: See the flyer, call 0402 604 354 or (02) 4782 9222
 
Winnunga News
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service
Provides an update on changes and developments at the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service.
For more information: See the latest issue 
 
Strengthening Families
Community Services, ACT Government
Strengthening Families will work with up to 50 families with multiple and/or intensive support needs to develop and implement an agreed family plan, supported by a tailored support package to meet their particular requirements.
For more information: Visit the ACT Government website or email strengtheningfamilies@act.gov.au

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Newsletters, Magazines and Updates

Drug and Alcohol research Connections
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), National Drug Research Institute (NDRI), National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA)
A joint publication of the collaborative network of alcohol and other drug research centres providing information on the latest research developments.
For more information: See the latest issue
 
Drug Trends Bulletin
Illicit Reporting System (IDRS) & Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS)
The Drug Trends Bulletins provide information about Australia’s drug markets and trends in drug related harms.
For more information:  See the latest issue

The Loop
National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 
Contains information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders such as National and New Zealand news, resources, latest research and up coming events.
For more information: See the latest issue
 
ACT Population Health Bulletin
ACT Government
This bulletin includes information about ACT tobacco control, Canberra Hospital smoke-free environment implementation, plain packaging, smoking cessation in ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, e-cigarettes, and other health news.
For more information: See the latest issue

In Touch
Public Health Association Australia (PHAA)
A monthly newsletter with a focus on public health news and events in Australia.
For more information: See the latest issue

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Resources and Publications

Positive Choices: Drug Information Booklets for Students, Parents and Teachers
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) has developed a series of fact sheets and also drug information booklets. Each booklet is targeted at a different audience – students, parents, and teachers.  These resources are being provided in hard copy to all secondary schools within Australia, and are also available electronically
For more information: Visit the Positive Choices website 
 
National Drug Strategy Household Survey detailed report: 2013
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
This 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report shows that: fewer Australians are smoking daily and are smoking less cigarettes; fewer people are exceeding the lifetime risk and single occasion risk guidelines for alcohol use; overall illicit drug use has remained stable but some drugs have declined and some have increased; alcohol continues to be the drug of most concern to the community but an increasing number of people are concerned about meth/amphetamines.
ACT findings include:

• People in the ACT were least likely to smoke daily when compared to other jurisdictions.
• Compared to the national average, people in the ACT were more likely to drink alcohol in risky quantities
• There were no significant changes in illicit drug use.

For more information: See the media release, see the full report
 
The Highway Code
Global Drug Survey
Based on the experience of almost 80,000 people who took part in the Global Drug Survey 2014, the High-way Code is the first guide to safer drug use voted for by people who take drugs. The results seem to suggest that safer drug use can be more enjoyable drug use.
It includes Highway Code for alcohol, cannabis, GHB, ketamine, LSD, MDMA, new drugs and stimulants.
For more information: Visit the Global Drug Survey website
 
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) – Resources for Professionals Supporting Children and Families
Child Family Community Australia, Australian Government
These resources are intended to inform practitioners and other professionals about the implications of FASD for children and their families.
They also describe principles for supporting children and families affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
 For more information: Visit the Australian Government website
 
What to Say
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, Women’s Centre for Health Matters
The What to say website, created as part of Summer of Respect, now includes two new sections - What to say for women and What to say for the workplace.  These sections are designed to give women and co-workers the information they need to identify sexual violence, safe ways to respond and intervene if you experience or witness sexual violence, and advice on how to support someone who tells you they’ve experienced sexual violence. Each new section incorporates information about who to contact and will include regular blog posts over the summer about issues like sexual harassment, dating, work parties and nights out.
For more information: Visit the website
 
Indigenous Health Check Data Tool
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
The Indigenous health check (MBS 715) data tool provides readily-accessible information about the use of MBS-rebated health checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For more information: See the Data online tool 
 
HIV and Mobility: Road Map for Action
WA Centre for Health Promotion Research, Curtin University; La Trobe’s Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society
The report shines a spotlight on the context and types of mobility, differences in HIV diagnoses across Australia relating to migrant and mobile populations and the need for more targeted and nuanced responses.
For more information: See the Report, or visit the website 
 
LiverLife: Tips and Truths About Your Liver
Hepatitis NSW
Hepatitis NSW has free stocks of the new information booklet about liver monitoring and Fibroscan.
For more information: See the booklet, or call (02) 9332 1853

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Training and Professional Development

ACT Comorbidity Bus Tours
ATODA, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and the Youth Coalition of the ACT
The Comorbidity Bus Tour seeks to increase the capacity of frontline workers to support people experiencing co-occurring ATOD and mental health issues (comorbidity). The Comorbidity Bus Tour visits a variety of services in the ACT from the alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD), mental health and youth sectors.
The next Comorbidity Bus Tour for 2015 will be Tour A on 11 March 2015.
Cost: Members of the Youth Coalition, ATODA or MHCC ACT $50, $60 Non-member or non-government organisations, $70 Government workers
For more information: Visit ATODA's website, email bustours@youthcoalition.net or call (02) 6247 3540

February - March 2015 Training and Professional Development Calendar
ATODA, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and the Youth Coalition of the ACT
The ACT Training and Professional Development Calendar collates training and professional development opportunities for workers in the alcohol, tobacco and other drug, youth, mental health, family support and community sectors.
To get the February - March 2015 training calendar, click here. 
To include your training in the next calendar, email info@youthcoalition.net or call the Youth Coalition on (02) 6247 3540
 
How to Engage with Family Members Who Are Drug and/or Alcohol Dependent
Karralika Programs Inc. & Family & Drug Support (FDS)
An interactive workshop for workers (Drug and Alcohol or generalist). Topics include:

• What goes on for families
• What range of support services do families need
• What is available in local areas
• What can be done to help families cope better, become more resilient and to survive the journey intact

Date: 25 February 2015
Time: 9:30am – 4pm
Venue: Youth Coalition of the ACT office, 46 Clianthus St, O’Connor
Cost: Free
RSVP: Essential, by 17 February 2015
For more information and to register: See the flyer, email Kerry.f@karralika.org.au, or call (02) 6292 2733
 
Working and Walking Together
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), ACT Council of Social Service Inc. (ACTCOSS)
A two-day Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competency Workshop for family and community services. SNAICC developed this training in partnership with Family Relationships Services Australia (FRSA), to support family and relationship services work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children. The program is based in their popular resource 'Working and Walking Together'. Each participant will receive a copy of this resource.
This workshop is designed for:

• Agencies and services wanting to gain cultural knowledge for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
• Individuals who want to increase their knowledge on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and it's diversity
• Organisations wanting to increase cultural appropriateness of their service for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and community

Date: 19 & 20 March 2015
Time: 9am – 4:30pm
Venue: TBC
Cost: ACTCOSS member $600, non-member $650, Government/Corporate $700
For more information: Visit the eventbrite page, or email actcoss@actcoss.org.au
 
Nicotine Addiction & Smoking Cessation 3-Day Training Course
The University of Sydney
These courses are brought to you by A/Prof Renée Bittoun from the Smoking Research Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, and Editor-in Chief of The Journal of Smoking Cessation.
This course is suitable for health practitioners who intend on dedicating a large component of their professional career to smoking cessation.
Date: 23 – 25 March 2015
Cost: $1750
For more information: Visit the University of Sydney website, email smoking.research@sydney.edu.au or call (02) 9351 0816
 
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Conferences and Symposiums ACT Conference 2015 – NDIS: Change, Challenge & Choice
National Disability Services
A major conference on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is coming to Canberra in 2015.
As the ACT community transitions to the NDIS, people with disability, their families, carers and supporters are being faced with new processes, new supports, new people and roles, new opportunities and new risks.
Date: 23-24 March 2015
Venue: National Convention Centre, 31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City
Cost: $80 people with disability, their family members and carers; $150 Standard registration
For more information: Visit the NDS website, or call (02) 9256 3115
 
Grey Matters National Conference 2015
National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA)
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 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.

Date: 1 April 2015
Venue: Marion Cultural Centre, 287 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park, Adelaide
For more information: Visit the NCETA website, see the flyer, or email nceta@flinders.edu.au
 
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Grants and Funding Opportunities
 
Health Promotion Innovation Fund
ACT Health
The Health Promotion Innovation Fund invites applications for grants of up to $15,000 for innovative health promotion projects to support the ACT Government’s goal of achieving a healthier weight profile in the ACT population. It has a particular focus on achieving this outcome in children. This includes improving eating habits and increasing physical activity.
In addition, projects which support smoking prevention, reduction in hazardous alcohol consumption and healthy active ageing will be considered. 
Applications close on 16 February 2015.
For more information: Visit the ACT Health website, email hpgrants@act.gov.au, or call (02) 6205 1325

Healthy Canberra Grants
ACT Health
This funding opportunity will be for programs of up to three years duration, commencing from July 2015. Up to $2 million will be available over the three-year period covered by this funding opportunity
Healthy Canberra Grants focuses on tackling overweight and obesity and improving children’s health, including improving eating habits and improving physical activity outcomes. Improving outcomes around smoking, alcohol consumption and healthy active ageing are also priorities for funding.
Initial expression of interest should be submitted by 4pm on 23 February 2015.
For more information: Visit the ACT Health website, email hpgrants@act.gov.au, or call (02) 6205 1325
 
Small Grants Program Announcement
Australian Rechabite Foundation (ARF)
The ARF’s small grants program supports research projects which will contribute evidence for policies to reduce alcohol problems and to community-based initiatives that foster change to reduce adverse effects of alcohol.  
Projects must:

• Be grounded in evidence of potential effectiveness.
• Address issues that hold promise for reducing alcohol problems.
• Undertake to collect and provide evidence of the project’s effects in relation to its aims.

Applications close on 2 March 2015.
For more information: See the ARF announcement, the application form or email arfoundation@australianrechabites.org.au
 
NRMA – ACT Road Safety Trust
National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA)
Applications are invited from individuals and community-based and other organisations wishing to apply for funding for projects or activities from the NRMA - ACT Road Safety Trust under the Trust's final 2015/2016 Grant Program.
The Trust is jointly funded by NRMA Insurance and the ACT Government's road safety levy and its main objective is to enhance road safety for the road-using community of the ACT and region.
While there are no specific priority topics or funding limits for this round, applications should be well developed and justified, and demonstrate the potential to produce road safety benefit in the ACT and region.
Applications close on 11 March 2015.
For more information: See the Guidelines, visit the Road Safety Trust website, or call (02) 6207 7151
  
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Consumer Participation

Men and Muscle Survey
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
NDARC is conducting a study to better understand the benefits and risks associated with performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs), and to examine current trends and issues within this group. To access the survey, click here.
For more information:  email r.moodle@unsw.edu.au or b.larance@unsw.edu.au, or call (02) 8936 1007

Consumer Bites
Health Care Consumers’ Association
The Consumer Bites is the Health Care Consumers’ Association newsletter. It provides information about current projects, local and national health issues, local events and the latest research developments.
For more information:  See the latest issue
 
Smokers’ Attitude Towards Cigarette Smoking Survey
Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong
Tanya Buchanan from the Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong, and colleague of Associate Professor Renee Bittoun is conducting a survey aimed at smokers aged 25-55 years living in Australia. To complete the survey, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/forsmokers
For more information: emailtpb996@uowmail.edu.au or call 0431 381 713

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Youth, Mental Health and Allied Sector
 
National Youth Week 2015 Grants
Youth Coalition of the ACT
The Youth Coalition of the ACT, in partnership with the Australian and ACT Governments, is pleased to announce the National Youth Week Grants. National Youth Week is Australia's annual celebration of young people aged 12 - 25 and the contribution they make to the community. The event will take place from 10 - 19 April 2015. This year's theme is 'It Starts With Us'.
 
As part of National Youth Week, ACT high schools and colleges are eligible to apply for a $350 automatic school grant to help fund an event or activity for young people in their school community. 
To complete an application for a National Youth Week School Grant, click here (https://members.youthcoalition.net/webform/national-youth-week-2015-school-grant-application)
 
Youth-led or youth-focused organisations and young people can also apply for a National Youth Week Grant of up to $1500 to help fund an event or activity.
To complete an application for a National Youth Week grant, click here.
Applications close on  24 April 2015.
For more information: email youthweek@youthcoalition.net or call (02) 6247 3540
 
Youth Detention Population in Australia 2014
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
This report presents information on the youth detention population in Australia, focusing on quarterly trends from June 2010 to June 2014. On an average night, close to 1,000 young people were in detention, about half of whom were unsentenced. Nationally, numbers and rates of young people in detention remained relatively stable over the 4 years; but trends varied among states and territories. About half of all young people in detention on an average night were Indigenous.
For more information: See the media release, or see the full report
 
Mental Health Carers Voice eBulletin
Carers Australia
The Mental Health Carers Voice E-Bulletin includes current media and events around mental health issues both in Canberra and across Australia. The E-Bulletin also help staying up to date on the services provided by Carers ACT for mental health carers.
For more information: See the latest issue

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ACT Media
This section includes ATOD related media from or about the ACT

ATODA and the media
 
ACT Government 48% grade on the National Alcohol Policy Scorecard 
ATODA Media Release, 8 January 2015
“The strengths of the ACT’s alcohol policy include the whole-of-government Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy which aims to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms.” said Ms Carrie Fowlie, Executive Officer of the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA).
For more information: See the media release 
 
ACT leads Australia on alcohol action but no territory passes 50 per cent
Canberra Times, 8 January 2015
The ACT has been ranked first in the country for its alcohol policies, drink driving laws, Liquor Act reviews and a risk-based licensing fee system for liquor outlets but the territory has still failed to receive a pass on a national alcohol policy scorecard.
For more information: See the article
 
ACT leading way in alcohol policy, national scorecard says
ABC News, 8 January 2015
The ACT Government is leading the nation when it comes to alcohol policy according to a new national scorecard.
For more information: See the article
 
Chief Minister gonged for ACT alcohol policy
CityNews, 8 January 2015
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has expressed his joy at winning an Action on Alcohol award.
For more information: See the article


Alcohol-related news
 
Australia doesn’t have a problem with alcohol. We have a problem with violence
Canberra Times, 21 January 2015
Tim Gregg’s experience of living in Germany makes him question the relationship between drinking and social mayhem.
For more information: See the article
 
Government must stay the course on alcohol curbs
Canberra Times, 21 January 2015
It was 12 months ago today that then Premier Barry O'Farrell announced the range of measures to curb alcohol abuse and alcohol-fuelled violence in the inner city.
For more information: See the article
 
Man arrested for one-punch assault outside Academy nightclub in Civic
Canberra Times, 16 January 2015
A 22-year-old Giralang man is expected to face court after his arrest for a one-punch assault outside a Civic nightclub in August last year.
For more information: See the article
 
Funding cut to drug and alcohol centre could see local children forced into foster care
ABC News, 13 January 2015
The manager of a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation program says cuts to funding could force some Riverina, South Coast and Monaro children into foster care.
For more information: See the article
 
Police investigate Canberra nursing home death
Canberra Times, 12 January 2015
A mysterious death at a Canberra nursing home two years ago is under renewed police scrutiny, as investigators try to determine how suspiciously high levels of alcohol came to be in a non-drinker's system.
For more information: See the article
 
Should scientists work with industry on alcohol policy?
The Conversation, 12 January 2015
Kypros Kypri, Professor, Public Health, Epidemiology & Prevention of Alcohol-related injury and Disease, University of Newcastle
It’s undeniable that there’s an irreconcilable conflict of interest in the alcohol industry being involved in developing health policy. And by participating in meetings involving industry representatives, scientists risk giving credibility to a fundamentally flawed process that’s unlikely to produce sound policy.
For more information: See the article
 
Boost in patrons for Canberra’s Nightrider bus service over Christmas
Canberra Times, 11 January 2015
Hundreds more people in Canberra used the Nightrider bus to get home safely this past festive season than in previous years. 
For more information: See the article

Health Minister Simon Corbell says ACT will further tighten alcohol laws
Canberra Times, 8 January 2015
Mr Corbell has revealed reforms to reduce alcohol-related harm in the ACT are being considered by the government and he anticipated a decision would be made later this year. 
For more information: See the article
 
ACT leads Australia on alcohol action but no territory passes 50 per cent
Canberra Times, 8 January 2015
The ACT has been ranked first in the country for its alcohol policies, drink driving laws, Liquor Act reviews and a risk-based licensing fee system for liquor outlets but the territory has still failed to receive a pass on a national alcohol policy scorecard.
For more information: See the article
 
ACT leading way in alcohol policy, national scorecard says
ABC News, 8 January 2015
The ACT Government is leading the nation when it comes to alcohol policy according to a new national scorecard.
For more information: See the article
 
ACT police pleased with zero holiday road toll
Canberra Times, 6 January 2015
The ACT and the Northern Territory were the only jurisdictions with no road deaths during the Christmas-New Year holidays, but ACT Police are disappointed by the high number of people caught drink-driving and speeding.
For more information: See the article
 
immigration officials face booze, drug tests
Canberra Times, 6 January 2015
More than 8000 public servants at the Immigration Department face being breathalysed and drug tested in their offices under a tough new workplace regime.
For more information: See the article
 
Federal government cuts funding to ACT family drug and alcohol rehabilitation program at Karralika
Canberra Times, 5 January 2015
The region's only residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation service for families affected by addiction may be forced to close in less than two months after a federal government funding cut.
For more information: See the article
 
No arrests as Canberra police praise well-behaved Summernats crowd
Canberra Times, 5 January 2015
ACT Policing's acting officer in charge of traffic operations, Tracey Duck,  said police were a high-profile presence during the four-day event, and this was the second year in a row in which no arrests were made.  
For more information: See the article

Canberra emergency department visits jump after warm weekend and Summernats
Canberra Times, 5 January 2015
Emergency departments in Canberra were busier than usual at the weekend after days of high temperatures and Summernats.
For more information: See the article

ACT roads fatality free during Christmas shutdown
Canberra Times, 4 January 2015
Canberra stayed fatality free during the Christmas break, but the region's roads did not fare as well.
For more information: See the article

Three-time drink driver refused bail after being caught again
Canberra Times, 3 January 2015
A Franklin man already on bail for two previous drink-driving offences was caught behind the wheel with a blood alcohol reading of almost twice the legal limit.
For more information: See the article

Police to target entertainment hotspots during Summernats car festival
Canberra Times, 1 January 2015
Police will target popular entertainment strips in a bid to cut-off anti-social behaviour during Summernats 28.
For more information: See the article

Two miserable DUIs in relatively well behaved New Year’s
City News, 1 January 2015
ACT Policing was generally pleased with the behaviour of New Year’s Eve revellers in Canberra overnight, with five arrests recorded.
For more information: See the article


Drug-related news
E-cigarettes popular among adolescents, not long-term smokers, Cancer Council warns
ABC News, 5 January 2015
Health advocates have warned e-cigarettes are being taken up by young people rather than helping long-term smokers to quit.
For more information: See the article

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