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National Policy

Organisations Unite to Fight Budget Cuts to Vital Health Services
ATODA, as part of a coalition of 17 peak and non-government organisations from the health and community sectors is calling on the Australian Government to scrap plans to cut nearly $800 million in funding to key health initiatives over the next four financial years. The foreshadowed cuts would drastically reduce the capacity of non-government organisations and peak bodies to deliver services across the country and to provide advice and support for reform in health.
For more information: See the full media release
 
National Framework for Action to Prevent Alcohol-Related Family Violence
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE)
A new National framework for action to prevent alcohol-related family violence was launched by Australian of the Year Rosie Batty at Parliament House in Canberra.
The Framework, developed by FARE, proposes policies and programs that Australian governments can implement which will have a real and tangible impact on preventing and reducing alcohol-related family violence.
For more information: See the media release, or visit the FARE website 
 
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Methamphetamine

10 priorities for action to address methamphetamine-related harms in the ACT
ATODA is currently drafting a document that seeks to:

• Articulate the identified priority areas for action to respond to methamphetamine (including crystal methamphetamine) related harms in the ACT
• Support the ACT alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) to engage in discussions regarding methamphetamine priorities in the ACT
• Inform the ACT ATOD sector’s participation in the ‘ACT Consultation Forum: Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice)’ being hosted by the ACT Government on 3 July 2015.

The ACT Government will use this forum to inform their response to the use of the drug crystal methamphetamine and to inform the National Ice Taskforce with advice on the major issues, themes and make recommendations emerging from the ACT’s specific experience. This will assist in the development of a National Ice Action Strategy, due to be finalised by end of 2015.
For more information: contact Carrie Fowlie, ATODA on carrie@atoda.org.au, (02) 6255 4070

ACT Consultation Forum: Crystal Methamphetamine
ATODA will be attending a by-invitation ACT Government consultation forum about crystal methamphetamine. The ACT Government will use this forum to inform its response to crystal methamphetamine including informing the National Ice Taskforce with advice on the major issues, themes and make recommendations emerging from the ACT’s specific experience. This will assist in the development of a National Ice Action Strategy, due to be finalised by end of 2015.
For further information contact Trish Dinnerville on Trish.Dinnerville@act.gov.au.
 
Group 3 & 4: Accredited methamphetamine training for ATOD workers 
ATODA, Odyssey House Victoria, ACT Health
ATODA has partnered with Odyssey House Victoria to deliver the nationally recognised accredited course: ‘10524NAT Course In Working with Clients with Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Issues’ with workers from specialist alcohol, tobacco and other drug services in the ACT. The second and third groups of workers will be trained in July and August 2015.
ATODA acknowledges Minister for Health Mr Simon Corbell and ACT Health for providing resources to enable this workforce development initiative to occur. All specialist drug treatment and support services funded or delivered by ACT Health are participating in this training. This training is fully booked out.
For more information: Contact Amanda Bode at amanda@atoda.org.au, or call (02) 6255 4070
 
Part 2: Accredited methamphetamine training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ATOD workers 
ATODA, Odyssey House Victoria, ACT Health
This training is specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers based in specialist drug treatment and support services funded or delivered by ACT Health.
This training is fully booked out. ATODA acknowledges Minister for Health Mr Simon Corbell and ACT Health for providing resources to enable this workforce development initiative to occur.
For more information: Contact Amanda Bode at amanda@atoda.org.au, or call (02) 6255 4070
 
Standing-room only: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Methamphetamine Information Forum
Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation & ATODA
It was standing room only with over 110 people attending the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander methamphetamine community information forum on 17 June. The forum demonstrated the impact of, and interest in, alcohol and other drugs in the community. It also highlighted the need for factual, non-alarmist drug information and community capacity building. Discussions are currently taking place with regards to next steps.
For more information: Contact Carrie Fowlie at carrie@atoda.org.au or call (02) 6255 4070

Methamphetamine deaths in Australia have jumped ‘significantly’
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
“New reports released by NDARC show that the number of methamphetamine-related deaths in Australia increased from 2010 to 2011, and more injecting drug users turn to the drug's crystal form, known as 'ice'”, writes Helen Davidson.
The report by University of New South Wales (UNSW) researchers examined available data on drug-related deaths, hospital admissions, and treatment services, and also found that within methamphetamine related deaths, the drug was the underlying cause in 23%.
Accidental drug deaths involving methamphetamine jumped “significantly” from 2010 to 2011, according to a study by the national drug and alcohol research centre which also found ice usage has increased by more than 50% among injecting drug users.
For more information: Visit the NDARC website, or see the Guardian article 
 
Fiona Nash begins marathon tour gathering information on ice
Australian Government
Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, is set to travel nearly 20,000 kilometres across the length and breadth of Australia as she gathers information on all aspects of the ice issue.
For more information: See the media release or visit the National Ice Taskforce website
 
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Sector Development, Events and Activities
 
Launch of the Drug ARM’s National Prevention Resource Hub
Drug ARM Australasia
In 2012, Drug ARM was funded through the Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvements Grants Fund to develop a comprehensive and sustainable, targeted, online ATOD prevention and networking hub that:

• documents and promotes best-practice models and resources for primary, secondary and tertiary ATOD misuse prevention to increase the capacity to support national substance misuse prevention activity arising from the National Drug Strategy
• encourages partnership development and continuous service improvement with the emerging ATOD prevention workforce through documented partnership strategies, virtual networks and connectedness opportunities

Drug ARM Australasia will launch this exciting new online alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention and networking hub. The hub will be launched by Senator the Hon Fiona Nash Assistant Minister for Health. 
Date: 1 July 2015
Time: 10am – 12pm
Venue: National Library of Australia, Parkes
For more information and for RSVP: email marketing@healthyoptions.org.au or call (07) 3620 8850
To download the flyer, click here
 
Online Survey: Training and Support Needs of Practitioners who Work with Young People with Co-occurring Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Conditions
Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use
Mental health and substance use disorders often co-occur. There is a critical need to intervene early to prevent the long-term problems associated with this comorbidity. The co-occurrence of these problems unique challenges to service providers, but at the same time, little is known about the perspectives of people who work with young people experiencing these co-occurring problems. It is hoped that this survey will assist in the identification of training and support needs of people working in this very important area. The key findings from this survey will be delivered to the Australian Government Department of Health in a report, with a view to providing recommendations for workforce development.
The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
To complete the survey, click here. 
For more information: Contact Dr Rosemary Kingston (Project Co-ordinator) by email r.kingston@unsw.edu.au, or call (02) 9385 0303 
 
World Hepatitis Day Survey
Hepatitis Australia
For World Hepatitis Day (28 July 2015) people who are living with hepatitis are invited to talk about how it affects their life by completing a short survey before Tuesday 30 June.
These questions will help to develop a profile of people's lived experience of hepatitis C so they can frame some useful statistics to get media interest for World Hepatitis Day.
To complete the survey, click here.
For more information: Visit the Hepatitis Australia website, or call (02) 6232 4257

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Newsletters, Magazines and Updates

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.
For more information:  See the last issue

The Loop
National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
The Loop contains information about Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders such as National and New Zealand news, resources, latest research and up coming events.
For more information: See the last issue
 
Winnunga News
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service
The purpose of this monthly newsletter is to provide information on the happening at Winnunga, current topics and upcoming events.
For more information: See the last issue

ACT Population Health Bulletin
ACT Government
The Population Health eBulletin is published quarterly and each issue has a theme and highlight a particular body of work, a key function or an emerging topic of interest relating to population health in the ACT.
For more information: See the last issue

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Resources and Publications

New Tools to Reduce Harm from Substance Use
Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
The Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre has launched two portals and a free mobile phone app to support efforts to reduce harmful substance use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

• The Alcohol and other Drugs Workers’ portal(http://www.aodknowledgecentre.net.au/aodkc/aod-workers-portal): Each of the fifteen topic areas has had new sections added. ‘Tips for workers’ provides guidelines on how to approach challenges of AOD practice when working with clients, from information on specific drugs, general principles of counselling and case management, to how to recognise and respond to clients with substance use and mental health issues.
• The Community portal (http://www.aodknowledgecentre.net.au/aodkc/elders-and-community: is designed for community members and Elders working to reduce harms from AOD use in their communities. The portal provides plain language factsheets on the effects of alcohol and other drugs, as well as information on what communities can do and where to go for help. The ‘Your stories’ page allows community members to share their stories about what is working in their community.
• The new mobile phone app AODconnect (http://www.aodknowledgecentre.net.au/AODconnect): is a national directory of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AOD treatment services, designed for AOD workers or anyone who wants to find a culturally appropriate service. Services can be found through an interactive map by state/territory or region or by alphabetical listing, as well as by type of service.

 For more information: Visit the website, email aodknowledgecentre@helathinfonet.org.au, or call (08) 9370 6336
 
Syringe Coverage and Australian NSPs Policy Brief
Centre for Research Excellence into Injecting Drug Use (CREIDU)
CREIDU policy briefs are designed to highlight a real world problem related to injecting drug use and provide suggestions for improving policy. This policy brief explores current estimates of syringe coverage in Australia and provides suggestions for improving coverage rates.
Key messages include:

• Australia’s needle and syringe program (NSP) is a valuable, cost effective harm reduction service; NSPs have contributed to an overall HIV prevalence rate less than 1% amongst people who inject drugs, and reduced rates of syringe sharing from70-90% to around 17%.
• However, NSPs have not dramatically reduced the prevalence of hepatitis C, which remains steady at around 50-70% of people who inject drugs.
• Several contextual reasons are likely to contribute towards the prevalence of hepatitis C, including inadequate syringe coverage.
• Syringe coverage could be improved by increasing the quantity and quality of NSP services. Suggestions include improving the distribution of syringe vending machines, increasing the range of injecting equipment available at NSPs, easing restrictions on the amount of injecting equipment available per visit, implementing youth and cultural training for staff, and encouraging NSP partnerships with healthcare services offering hepatitis C testing and treatment.

For more information: See the Brief, email elise.carrotte@burnet.edu.au or call (03) 8506 2365
 
The Global Drug Survey 2015 Findings
Global Drug Survey
An overview of the key findings from the Global Drug Survey 2015 is now available.
For more information:  See the Overview, email info@globaldrugsurvey.com, or call +44 (0) 20 7324 3536
 
Helping Asylum Seekers and Refugee Background Communities with Problematic Alcohol and Other Drug Use: A Guide for Community Support and AOD Workers
Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (QNADA), Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC)
The motivation for creating this guide arose from conversations with staff from various health and community services around Queensland who were concerned about a perceived increase in problematic alcohol and other drug use amongst asylum seeker and refugee background communities. While this is what people were reporting on the ground, statistics on treatment for alcohol and other drug use told us that few people from these communities were seeking assistance from specialist alcohol and other drug treatment services.
The guide is divided into two sections:

• The first part is for workers supporting people from refugee backgrounds across the general health and community services sector (including migrant and refugee organisations, mental health services, Centrelink, local government, etc) who may not have specific training or experience in alcohol and other drugs service provision.
• The second part is for those working in the alcohol and other drugs sector and discusses issues that are relevant across the range of treatment settings.

For more information:  See the Guide, or visit the QNADA website 

May Quarterly Research Update from Institute of Child Protection Studies
Institute of Child Protection Studies (ICPS)
The Research Update aims to keep stakeholders informed about the projects ICPS is undertaking. The May 2015 update provides information on the following current research projects:

• Involving children in social research: Balancing the risks and benefits
• kContact: Keeping contact between parents and children in care
• Child protection Practitioner Study

For more information:  See the Update, or visit the ICPS website 

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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 8 July 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

June - July 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 June - July 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

Accidental Counsellor Training
Lifeline ACT
Accidental Counsellor is a two-day workshop that provides participants with fundamental skills in crisis support counselling and dealing with difficult situations.  The course also covers topics such as dealing with people who are angry, highly distressed, drug and alcohol affected or experiencing effects of a mental illness.
Date:  3 & 4 August 2015
Cost: $450 general, $400 not-for-profit organisations
For more information: See the brochure, visit the Lifeline ACT website, email training@actlifeline.org.au, or call (02) 6204 6402
 
Master of Addictive Behaviours
Turning Point, Monash University
The Master of Addictive Behaviours, delivered through Monash University, is suited to graduates who are seeking a course with a focus on academic career development or research. It provides a thorough exploration of the addiction area and the latest thinking and evidence from leading national and international researchers in the areas of neuroscience, policy, population health, prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug misuse, gambling and other process addictions. It is delivered entirely online and is suited to graduates and professionals from a range of disciplines and areas including health, research, policy, human resources, justice or education. Applicants must have a bachelor degree in a relevant discipline as well as a fourth year/honours year or equivalent and must apply through Monash University. The Masters Award is received from Monash University.
Closing date:  3 July
For more information: See the flyer, email masters@turningpoint.org.au or call (03) 8413 8700
 
Cultural Integrity Reflection Program
ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS)
Rod Little is of the Amangu-Wajuk peoples of Western Australia, and is a long term resident of Canberra. Rod has personal cultural knowledge and experiences, he is an experienced cultural trainer and has a long employment history in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs in community and governments. Among a number of roles, Rod is a Director with the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples and Chairperson of the ACT Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Elected body.
Rod has specifically developed and tailored this reflective program as an integral part to the Cultural Integrity Program held on 24 November 2014 and to be held on 22 May 2015. It aims to enable participants to:

• Reflect on their learning's from the Cultural Integrity workshop
• Reflect the sensitivities, knowledge and understandings of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultural values and their own
• Reflect on any protocols they explored/adopted for positive behavioural change, appropriate language use and communication within work environment
• Share positive experiences and/or benefits with others of processes and products that enhanced their cultural integrity; improved understandings and knowledge

Date: 31 July 2015
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Venue: ACTCOSS meeting room, 1/6 Gritten St, Weston creek
Cost: ACTCOSS Member $176, non-member $250, Government and Corporate $325
For more information: Visit the eventbrite webpage, email actcoss@actcoss.org. or call (02) 6202 7200

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Lifeline ACT
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop which aims to improve participants suicide awareness and prevention skills. The course is presented by LivingWorks-accredited facilitators, who use internationally standardised resources and materials. Participants are trained to recognise when a person may be at risk and how to respond to improve the immediate and long-term safety of the person at risk.
Date: 13 & 14 August 2015
Cost: $315 concession, $ 350 community organisations
For more information: See the brochure, visit the Lifeline ACT website, email training@actlifeline.org.au, or call (02) 6204 6402

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment and Retention
ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS)
This seminar will be presented by Keith Brandy. Topics will include:

• Recruit and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worker
• Provide culturally appropriate supervision
• Better understanding of cultural obligations and how to address those needs
• Provide a safe and culturally secure workplace
• Become an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers
• Advertising of activities to reach the target audience

Date: 14 August 2015
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Venue: ACTCOSS meeting room, 1/6 Gritten St, Weston creek
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit the eventbrite website, email actcoss@actcoss.org.au or call (02) 6202 7200

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Service Delivery

Compass Family Support Group
Directions
Compass is a support group for family members and friends of those where alcohol, tobacco and/or other drugs have impacted on their life. The group focuses on self-care, setting boundaries, understanding addiction, communication strategies, and how to access support when dealing with someone else's substance use.
Date: 1 July
Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm
Venue: Level 6, Cosmopolitan Centre Bowes St, Woden
For more information: Visit the Directions website, email reception@directionsact.com, or call (02) 6132 4800

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Conferences and Symposiums Australian Winter School Conference
Lives Lived Well
Unleash Potential is the theme of the 2015 Australian Winter School. With a focus on new ideas, change and advancement it is hoped to unlock inspiration and the best way of doing things.
Date: 22 - 24 July 2015
Venue: Sofitel Central Brisbane, Brisbane
Cost: $645 full registration
For more information: Visit the website, or email aws@liveslivedwell.org.au
 
Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use 2015 National Colloquium
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre or Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use (CREMS)
This one-day colloquium aims to provide attendees with an up-to-date understanding of innovative treatments for co-occurring substance use and mental disorders; particularly psychosis, depression and trauma. Presentations will introduce a broad range of treatment models for managing co-occurring disorders including:

• Treatment models for psychosis and substance use
• Online treatments for depression and substance use
• Trans-diagnostic approaches to co-occurring disorders
• Effective treatments for co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders in adults and young people
• Clinician perspectives on managing co-occurring disorders in practice

Date:  25 August 2015
Time: 8:45am – 4:30pm
For more information: See the flyer, or visit the colloquium webpage
 
Registrations now open: The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre’s Annual Symposium
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
The theme for this year’s Symposium is “Emerging issues in drug and alcohol use: Current problems and future solutions”.
The Symposium will focus on the biggest challenges facing the alcohol and other drug sector and the integration of research evidence into public policy and clinical practice.
Date: 15 September 2015
Venue: John Niland Scientia Building, University of New South Wales, Sydney
Cost: Before 18 August 2015 $220, after 18 August 2015 $250
For more information: Visit the NDARC website, or email ndarc.symposium@unsw.edu.au
 
Registrations now open: DPMP Symposium
Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP)
This year the annual Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP) symposium will be held in conjunction with the annual Drug Trends Conference. The DPMP Symposium will consider drug policy from multiple perspectives - treatment, harm reduction and law enforcement - with papers on policy evaluations and policy processes and examination of the effects of policy development, design and implementation on drug-related harms.
Date: 14 October 2015
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Venue: Customs House, Sydney
Cost: $220 DPMP Symposium, $320 both Drug Trends Conference and DPMP Symposium
For more information: See the flyer, visit the website, or call (02) 9385 0167

Registrations now open: The Annual National Drug Trends Conference 
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
The National Drug Trends Conference will present recent findings in illicit drug use, markets and related harms across Australia and internationally.
Convened by Australia’s largest drug monitoring systems, the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) and the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS), the one-day conference will include the first release of the 2015 findings. 
Date: 14 October 2015
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Venue: Customs House, Sydney
Cost: $220 DPMP Symposium (see above), $320 both Drug Trends Conference and DPMP Symposium
For more information: Visit the website, or call (02) 9385 0333

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Grants and Funding Opportunities

$1000 Reimbursements available for Mental Health Week
Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT)

Mental health promotion encompasses a range of activities that maximise the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and the wider ACT community. These reimbursements are not specifically tied to the mental health sector as many organisations outside of this sector also promote mental health.

Reimbursements will be provided to successful applications that can demonstrate that their project or activity will contribute to the objectives of Mental Health Week by meeting the following assessment criteria:

• Increase public understanding of mental illness
• Encourage the reduction of stigma and discrimination
• Promote positive mental health
• Celebrate the achievements and recovery of people who live with mental illness, their families and carers
• Emphasise the Mental Health Week 2015 themes of;
  • Act – keep mentally, physically, socially and spiritually active, take a walk, read a book, meet with friends.  
  • Belong - Join a club, take a class, volunteer, stay connected, get involved in your community, make new friends
  • Commit - take up a cause, help a neighbour, learn something new, take on a challenge.

Closing Date: 17 July 2015
For more information: See the MHCC ACT News Alert, visit the MHCC ACT Mental Health Week website, or call (02) 6249 7759

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Consumer Participation

Survey: Invitation to provide feedback, or share experiences with the ACT Health’s Smoke Free Environment
Health Care Consumers’ Association (HCCA)
In September 2014 the Canberra Hospital campus became a completely smoke free environment. This means that the Hospital does not have any designated smoking areas on the hospital campus.
They are looking for feedback and experiences from recent visits to the Canberra Hospital campus since the implementation of the free smoke environment policy.
The primary aim of this initiative was to foster a healthy environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle for patients, visitors, staff and contractors. An outcome of the initiative will be to support people who smoke to manage their nicotine use and if willing, be supported to quit.
ACT Health is evaluating the initiative and would like to gain further consumer feedback and we would be very grateful if you could answer this survey.
It should only take about 5-10 minutes to complete the survey.
The survey closes Tuesday 7 July 2015.
To complete the survey, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/smokefreetch
For more information: Visit the ATODA website, email yelinhung@hcca.org.au or call (02) 6230 7830.

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
 
Flipside
Association of Participating Service Users
Flipside is a quarterly published newsletter. It contains articles, stories, and poetry written by people who use or have used alcohol and other drug treatment services.
For more information: See the last issue
 
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 last issue

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Youth, Mental Health and Allied Sector
 
Mental Health Week Fact Sheet
Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT)
This factsheet lists the key themes for this year and summaries the main components of the week.
For more information: See the factsheet, visit the Mental Health Week ACT website, email zoe.davies@mhccact.org.au, or call (02) 6249 7756
 
Mental Health Sector Update
Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT)
In this update: there is an opportunity to apply for subsidised registrations for the TheMHs conference, participants are sought for a peer workforce survey as well as focus groups exploring the connection between physical health and mental illness. There is also an update from the Department of Social Services on the National Carer Gateway and details of a microfinance funding announcement as well as much more.
For more information: See the newsletter
 
2015 e-Mental Health Support Service Survey
National Institute for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University (ANU)
As part of an Australian Department of Health funded project (eMHPrac) they are seeking to understand Australian primary health care service providers' awareness and use of online mental health services.
They are seeking the views of a wide range of primary care allied health service providers and nurses including psychologists, social workers, practice nurses, mental health nurses, counsellors, occupational therapists, community health workers, pharmacists, peer support workers and other allied health workers.
The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
To complete the survey, click here. 
For more information: Visit the ANU website, or email karlene.dickens@anu.edu.au

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Employment

Project Manager (2 positions – 1 full-time, 1 part-time)
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association (ATODA)
The Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) is seeking applications for two Project Manager positions. ATODA is an evidence-informed peak body that is committed to the principles of reconciliation, population health, human rights and social justice. The positions will develop and implement a range of projects that seek to prevent and reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug related harms.
 
The salary range is $66,292.77 - $70,872.04 (per annum pro rata, plus 9.5% superannuation, salary packaging, professional development, flexible and above award work conditions).  The positions are for 12-months, with possibility of extension. For the application package visit: www.atoda.org.au or call Dave Corby on (02) 6255 4070.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and/or people with lived experience are actively encouraged to apply.
Closing date: Monday 13 July 2015 at 5pm
For more information: See the Position Description, or call (02) 6255 4070
 
Fixed Term, Part-Time Position – Reception Team
Directions
The position (Mon-Wed, 9am-5pm) is part of the Directions reception team providing general reception and administrative support to the organisation. The main focus of this position will be to provide medical reception support to the Althea Primary Care team which is made up of General Practitioners, a Psychologist and a Practice Nurse.
For more information: Visit the Directions website, email gill.tozer@directionsact.com or call (02) 6132 4800


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ACT Media
This section includes ATOD related media from or relevant to the ACT

Alcohol-related news

Theodore man arrested after being nabbed drink-driving twice in an hour
Canberra Times, 29 June 2015
A Theodore man, 56, has been charged after police allegedly caught him drink driving twice in an hour.
For more information: See the article
 
Alcohol research to lose Victorian Government funding as methamphetamine issues take priority
The Herald Sun, 24 June 2015
A leading alcohol research centre says it is set to lose vital State Government funding that could cripple its operations because a greater focus is being put on the drug ice.
For more information: See the article
 
Alcohol-related injuries in young women skyrocket, study finds
Canberra Times, 20 June 2015
The number of women presenting at emergency departments with alcohol-related injuries is increasing at an alarming rate, a new national study has found.
For more information: See the article
 
Fifty years on, time to call it a day for cheap wine casks
The Conversation, 18 June 2015
Mike Daube, Professor of Health Policy, Curtin University
According to a 2012 report from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), cask wine use is most popular among the youngest and oldest age groups and in less affluent neighbourhoods. Almost one-third (31.6%) of cask wine drinkers drink daily, compared with 7.9% of bottled wine drinkers.
For more information: See the article

Swift and certain sanctions: does Australia have room for HOPE?
The Conversation, 16 June 2015
Lorana Bartels, Associate Professor, school of Law and Justice, University of Canberra
At a time of increasing prison numbers, could swift and certain sanction (SAC) programmes be a desirable model for Australia?
For more information: See the article

I am fighting alcohol – and losing
Canberra Times, 16 June 2015
From me seemingly being in control of the grog a few months back, the grog is now controlling me.
For more information: See the article
 
Alcohol supply to young people banned, other than by a parent
Canberra Times, 5 June 2015
The ACT government has moved to ban the supply of alcohol to young people under 18, unless by a parent or guardian, or with the express permission of a parent or guardian.
For more information: See the article
 
No doubt’ man delivered Civic one-punch hit: prosecution
Canberra Times, 29 May 2015
Prosecutors say there is "no doubt" the man they put on trial after a drunken fight is responsible for the blow that left a Canberran with a skull fracture and brain injury.
For more information: See the article
 
Punch accused cannot remember drunken brawl, court hears
Canberra Times, 26 May 2015
A man accused of a drunken punch that left a young Canberran with serious brain injury had no memory of the fight 14 hours later, a court has heard. 
For more information: See the article
 

Drug-related news
Next step for tobacco control? Make cigarettes less palatable
The Conversation, 19 June 2015
Bill King, Senior Research Officer, Cancer Council Victoria
The problem is these tobacco control measures stop outside of the pack, while the cigarettes inside remain essentially the same. A logical next step is to regulate how companies engineer cigarettes to promote their use.
For more information: See the article
 
Wider smoking bans mooted for Canberra
Canberra Times, 18 June 2015
Bans on cigarette smoking around Canberra could be extended as the ACT government looks to strengthen exclusion zones in public places.
For more information: See the article
 
ACT Government seeks to extend smoking bans under proposed new powers
ABC News, 17 June 2015
The ACT Government is seeking to extend smoking bans in Canberra as it looks to implement tough new powers which would allow them to dictate where people can smoke on territory land.
For more information: See the article
 
We’ve reduced demand for cigarettes, next step is to target the supply
The Conversation, 12 June 2015
Becky Freeman, Research Fellow/Lecturer, University of Sydney
Australia has been hugely successful in reducing the number of people who smoke. Today, 12.8% of people over age 14 smoke on a daily basis, which is nearly half the daily smoking rate in 1991 (24.3%).
For more information: See the article
 
Making smoking history: the case for a smoker’s licence
The Conversation, 5 June 2015
Simon Chapman, Professor of Public Health, University of Sydney
I and many colleagues advocated for Australia’s pioneering plain tobacco packs and today I’m always asked, “So what’s next in tobacco control?” The best next step is a smoker’s licence, that would operate in some of the same ways that we limit access to prescribed drugs.
For more information: See the article
 
Don’t ban e-cigarettes, sell them under tight regulation
The Conversation, 5 June 2015
Wayne Hall, Professor and Director, Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, University of Queensland
Coral Gartner, Senior Research Fellow, School of Public Health, University of Queensland
Cynthia Forlini, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Queensland
Over the past ten years, a substantial minority of cigarette smokers in many countries have turned to electronic (e-) cigarettes in an attempt to quit smoking or as an alternative to smoking some or all of the time.
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We can cut Indigenous smoking and save lives – here’s how
The Conversation, 1 June 2015
David Thomas, Head, Tobacco Control Research Program, Menzies School of Health Research
In recent years, Indigenous families, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and governments have increased attention on tackling smoking. Most notably, in 2009, the previous federal government launched the four-year A$100.6 million Tackling Indigenous Smoking program.
For more information: See the article
 
What’s next for tobacco control? A smoke-free generation
The Conversation, 26 May 2015
Haydn Walters, Professional Fellow, University of Tasmania
Julia Walters, Senior Research Fellow, Primary Health Care/Cochrane Airways Australia Coordinator, University of Tasmania
Kathryn Barnsley, PhD Student and Tobacco Researcher, University of Tasmania
The tobacco-free generation is a key “endgame” reform, recognised internationally as part of a suite of measures to finally eliminate tobacco smoking. If legislation currently before the Tasmanian parliament passes, the state could be the first in the world to prohibit the sale of tobacco to people born after 2000.
For more information: See the article


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