National Projects

The Australian Government is undertaking or commissioning seven concurrent national projects from 1 July 2013 – 30 June 2014 (inclusively). ATODA is seeking to support ACT stakeholders to effectively and efficiently engage in these important national processes through several mechanisms, including:
 
1. A webpage for each national project, which includes current ACT specific information
2. Standing item in the monthly ATODA eBulletin, including profiling one project each month 
3. Monthly discussions through advisory groups and forums
4. National Projects ACT Updates 

Review of the Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Services Sector
The Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP) is currently carrying out a review, commissioned by the Australian Department of Health, which will clarify Australian drug and alcohol treatment and prevention funding; current and future service needs; the gap between met and unmet demand; and planning and funding processes for the future.
The project will deliver:

1. a shared understanding of current drug and alcohol treatment funding;
2. a set of planned and coordinated funding processes for future Commonwealth AOD funding rounds; and
3. documentation to assist future Commonwealth funding processes to articulate with state/territory approaches and respond to the needs of individuals, families and their communities.

 
Working Papers
The DPMP is releasing a series of working papers during the year to keep the AOD sector, and other stakeholders, informed of the review’s progress. Recently released papers include:

• Working Paper No. 1: Estimating need and demand for treatment – a background briefing 
• Working Paper No. 2: Planning alcohol and other drug services in rural and remote areas 
• Working Paper No. 3: Alcohol and other drug treatment financing in Australia: Funding flows
• Working Paper No. 4: The Non Government Organisation Treatment Grants Program (NGOTGP) and the Substance Misuse Service Delivery Grants Fund (SMSDGF) - a descriptive overview
• Working Paper No. 5: The potential role of pay-for-performance in alcohol and other drug treatment funding: A literature review
• Working Paper No. 6: "Hard to count" or unrecorded treatment utilisation for alcohol and other drugs 

The DPMP is seeking feedback from all stakeholders.
 
Australian Government Department of Health Communiqué
 On 8 March 2014 the Department of Health released Communiqué 3:

• the Advisory Committee has met and is contributing to the working papers
• Valuable support the project team has been received from the government and non-government alcohol and other drug treatment sector was noted

To provide comments or for more information please email dpmp@unsw.edu.au
For more information: Visit the DPMP website

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Update: Alcohol and other Drug Council of Australia (ADCA)  

The Alcohol and other Drug Council of Australia (ADCA) ceased funded and staffed operation on 28 February 2014. On 18 March 2014 the ADCA Board of Directors sent this message to members and friends:
 
“The ADCA Board is in place but its current capacity is limited while the organisation remains under administration. However, ADCA Board is looking to establish a short-term holding arrangement for ADCA with some basic activities that can be achieved without any financial resources or staff.
 
Thank you all for your words of encouragement and your efforts to try and overturn the Commonwealth Government's decision to defund ADCA. While the decision and the process by which it occurred has come under great scrutiny, the decision remains, and your support has been much appreciated during this difficult time. 


 
As ADCA Board Directors, we appreciate that members have received only very limited communication while the organisation has been in the hands of the Administrator. No doubt you would have recently received the report from the Administrator highlighting that full payments to all creditors will be made, and that control of ADCA will soon be handed back to Board Directors under a Deed of Company Arrangement. We expect this to occur in the coming week or so. The Administrator's main remaining task will then be to sell the portion of the building owned by ADCA and return any surplus funds back to ADCA.
 
Once control of ADCA is handed back to the Board, it is our intention to hold a meeting of members to consult with you and to answer your questions. This will also give us the opportunity to provide you with an update on our efforts to ensure the long-term future of ADCA, and to gain an understanding of your views. At this stage we are looking to hold the meeting in Canberra, with dial in options for those of us who are interstate. We will circulate a date shortly.


 
In brief, the ADCA Board are looking to establish a short-term holding arrangement for ADCA with some basic activities that can be achieved without any financial resources or staff. This arrangement will be in place until ADCA's surplus funds are returned (in approximately 6 to 12 months’ time).
 
In the medium term, we would then be looking to re-secure our membership base, to further consult with you about the priorities for the sector in the next 12 months, and to identify the most appropriate role that ADCA can play on behalf of the AOD sector. In addition we would also seek to identify the most appropriate governance arrangements and constitution to achieve these goals with limited resources.

 
Our long-term aim is to seek and obtain a sustainable funding base to continue the ongoing mission of ADCA in a more substantial way. This may entail applying for grants through both government and non-government bodies, maintaining membership registrations, and conducting other income generation activities as recommended by our members.
 
We look forward to speaking with you shortly.
 
ADCA Board of Directors”
 
ATODA has, on a voluntary-basis, taken over the management of both Update and Drugtalk mailing lists previously provided through ADCA's National Drug Sector Information Service.  ATODA will not act as a moderator, but will monitor daily postings sent to both lists.
Further information will be available soon.
 
ATODA is maintaining a webpage to archive recent developments related to ADCA, including media and public statements, which can be accessed here http://www.atoda.org.au/policy/adca-defunded. 

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National Policy

Draft Report on Alcohol Advertising – Consultation now open
Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA)
ANPHA was tasked with examining the current system of regulation around alcohol marketing and advertising.  The Draft Report describes this system, which consists of self-regulatory, co-regulatory and legislative elements, and evaluates its effectiveness. The key purpose of the Review is to assess whether the current mix of provisions is serving to adequately protect children and adolescents (14 – 17 year olds) from exposure to alcohol advertising. Considerable public concern exists that marketing and advertising of alcoholic beverages is influencing young Australians and contributing to patterns of harmful drinking. This Draft Report has been published to enable public comment on the draft recommendations to government. 
Submissions close: 21 March 2014
For more information: See the draft report, or visit the ANPHA website
 
Federal Inquiry into the Harmful Use of Alcohol in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Australian Government
On Thursday 13 February 2014 the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion, asked the Committee to inquire into and report on the harmful use of alcohol in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Committee invites interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference.
Submissions close:  17 April 2014
For more information: See the terms of reference, visit the House of Representatives website, and see the NACCHO News Alert 
 
Rescheduling of Alprazolam
ACT Health
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has announced that alprazolam will be classed as a Schedule 8 (‘controlled’) medicine from 1 February 2014 under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons.
From 1 February 2014, prescribers will need to seek approval from the Chief Health Officer before prescribing alprazolam. Prescriptions will need to annotate the relevant approval particulars before they can be dispensed in the ACT. Approval to prescribe alprazolam will only be given for its approved indications unless there is documented support from a specialist.
For more information: Visit the ACT Health website 

National Pharmaceutical Drug Misuse Framework for Action (2012-2015): a matter of balance
National Drug Strategy, Australian Government
Within the context of the National Drug Strategy 2010-15, the National Pharmaceutical Drug Misuse Framework for Action identifies national priorities and provides a guide for actions to minimise the harms to individuals, families and communities form pharmaceutical drug misuse.
The goals of the Framework are:

• To reduce the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs and associated harms in Australia
• To enhance the quality use of pharmaceutical drugs without stigmatisation or limiting their accessibility for therapeutic use

For more information:  See the publication, or visit the Australian Government website
 
Close the Gap - Progress and Priorities 2014
Australian Human Rights Commission
Since the first Australian Government report in 2009, the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee has provided an annual complementary ‘shadow’ report representing its assessment of progress, including against the COAG Closing the Gap Targets for health and life expectancy equality, and the commitments in the Close the Gap Statement Intent. This is done in the spirit of an open and constructive dialogue between government, the wider community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This progress report is this year’s contribution to this ongoing dialogue.
For more information: See the report, or visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website, the Australian Policy Online website

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Sector Development, Events and Activities
 
Karralika Programs - New Website
Karralika Programs Inc.
The new look and functionality of the Karralika Programs website is much more engaging and accessible, with loads of new information about the services and programs Karralika Programs offer to support adults and families address alcohol and other drug issues. The site includes pictures, testimonials, a Karralika Therapeutic Community video, an online fundraising portal and much more.
For more information: Visit the new Karralika Programs Inc. website at www.karralika.org.au
 
Forum for Parents: The Other Talk, Lets talk About Alcohol and Drugs
Australian Drug Foundation (ADF), supported by ACT Health
The Other Talk is about Australian families talking openly about alcohol and other drugs.  It’s an initial conversation and an ongoing understanding that when it comes to alcohol and other drugs, no question is too silly and no topic is off limits. It’s about letting children know that they can come to their parents to discuss not only drugs and alcohol, but also related issues such as peer pressure, health, parties, safety and expectations.
Date: 7 April 2014
Time: 7 – 8:30pm
Venue: Phillip Room, Woden Tradies Club, Launceston St, Phillip
For more information and to register: See the flyer, email Debbie.simms@adf.org.au, or call 0425 754 741
 
Seeking Volunteers: research on sibling bereavement when death is drug related
Julie Perrin, Charles Sturt University
Ms Perrin, who has been a counsellor in bereavement and in the drug and alcohol field for nearly 30 years, says sibling attachments were one of the four most significant relationships a person can have in a lifetime, yet sibling grief had been largely ignored by researchers for a long time. She is know undertaking a PhD about the experiences of sibling bereavement when death is drug related. Ms Perrin is looking for volunteers, 18 years old and over, who have had a brother or sister die for a drug related reason, over 5 years ago. Interviews are confidential and will take about 1 -2 hours. 
For more information: See the flyer, email Julie@karunacentre.com.au, or call 0402 262 168
 
National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Awards
National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC)
NIDAC is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Awards.  
These Awards provide an opportunity for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in the alcohol and other drug field and appreciation of their contribution in reducing the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Nominations close: 20 April 2014
For more information: See the Information and Nomination Form, visit the NIDAC website, or email nidac@ancd.org.au
 
NIDAC and NACCHO Survey on Amphetamine-type Substance Use
National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC), National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
NIDAC and NACCHO are working in partnership to gain more information about amphetamine-type substance use among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Workers in primary health, AOD and other health-related fields who have contact with Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander clients are invited to take part in a survey on the use of amphetamine-type substances (such as ‘speed’ and ‘ice’) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Closing date: 11 April 2014
For more information: Visit the survey website, visit the NIDAC website or visit the NACCHO website 
 
Presentation of the 2014 Annual Alcohol Poll: Attitudes and Behaviour
Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education (FARE)
The poll takes an in-depth look at Australians’ attitudes towards alcohol, their drinking behaviours, and their perspectives on key alcohol policies.
Date: 26 March 2014
Time: 6pm
Venue: House of Representatives, Alcove Parliament House, Canberra
For more information and to register: email Stefany.Spyropoulos@fare.org.au, or call (02) 6122 8600

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Service Delivery
 
Stepping Stones to Success 
Family Drug Support (FDS)
This session is for families and friends supporting someone with drug and/or alcohol problems. Stepping Stones is structured, interactive and experimental course that brings people together with similar challenges.
Date: 22-23 & 29-30 March 2014
Venue: Canberra Hospital, Building 5, Level 1, training Room 2, Garran
Cost: FDS Members $40, Non-members $60
For more information: See the flyer, visit the FDS website, or call (02) 4782 9222
 
Street Chops
Ted Noffs Foundation & Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)
Ted Noffs Foundation, in partnership with CIT, is looking for young people aged 15 to 24 who would like to participate in a 2-day (8 weeks duration) course where they would learn about the qualifications required for building and restoring a motorbike.
Date: course starts on 12 May 2014
For more information: See the flyer, email bennetta@noffs.org.au, or call (02) 6123 2413 

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Newsletters, Magazines and Updates

Of Substance eBulletin
Australian National Council on Drugs
In the March e-bulletin, Of Substance features ground-breaking research into alcohol-fueled violence, including the study that contributed t the NSW Government’s wide-ranging alcohol licensing and policing changes.
For more information: See the March issue 
 
Anex bulletin
The Anex Bulletin is the Australian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) sector’s magazine. The Anex Bulletin canvasses a range of NSP-related issues and keeps harm reduction workers up-to-date with new information, research findings and emerging issues for the sector.
For more information: See the latest issue
 
Prison Issues Update (PIU)
Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD)
The February 2014 PIU issue provides material from Australia and overseas related to substance use and rehabilitation in prisons and the criminal justice system.
For more information: See the February Issue 

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Resources and Publications

Respect: Best Practice Approaches for Working with Culturally Diverse Clients in AOD Treatment Settings
Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC)
The Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) has produced a simple set of tips for improving approaches to working with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. They have drawn on our previous research, evaluations and consultation processes to synthetise and present 10 key strategies for AOD workers.
For more information: See the broadsheet, visit the DAMEC website, or email research@damec.org.au
 
Hepatitis C and Ageing: a community brief
Jacqui Richmond and Jack Wallace, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, LaTrobe University
The report builds and reinforces the findings of previous work about ageing conducted by the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League. The report recommends:

1. A needs assessment specifically exploring the needs of older people with hepatitis C
2. Exploring how to support GPs and the aged care sector workforce to better manage older people with hepatitis C
3. Research to address whether “age” is a proxy for “severity of liver disease” or whether there are specific-aged related issues associated with hepatitis C-related mild liver disease
4. Epidemiological research to quantify the burden of hepatitis C in older Australians
5. Advocacy acknowledging hepatitis C and ageing as a significant national public health issue

For more information:  See the report, or email J.Wallace@latrobe.edu.au
 

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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 2014 will be Tour C on 26 March 2014.
For more information: Visit ATODA's website, email bustours@youthcoalition.net or call (02) 6247 3540

February - March 2014 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.
The February – March training calendar is currently being developed and will be made available on the ATODA website.
To include your training in the next calendar, email info@youthcoalition.net or call the Youth Coalition on (02) 6247 3540

Smoking Cessation Brief Intervention Training for Health/Community Workers
Cancer Council ACT
The Cancer Council ACT can provide tailored training for health/community workers if an organisation or workplace is interested in hosting or attending Smoking Cessation Brief Intervention training.
The training session will cover:

• The course leader will discuss the knowledge, skills and strategies needed to assist in helping clients to quit or cut down on their smoking
• The “5 A’s” framework as a brief intervention technique
• Smoking cessation for special population groups
• Quitting methods
• Supporting information/referral services available for people wishing to quit smoking in the ACT

This 2.5-3h course will be conducted by a certified educator, trained in smoking cessation, and who is regularly updated on the latest information about helping people quit smoking.
For more information or to book a course: Email Bernadette.urack@actcancer.org or call (02) 6257 9999

Also see the Free Smoking Care Training; Subsidised alcohol, tobacco and other drug training – May 2014; and ACT ATOD Qualification Strategy detailed in the ATODA News section

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Conferences and Symposiums

APSAD Conference 2014 
The Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD)
The 2014 APSAD Scientific Program Committee invites the submission of abstracts for original work in consideration for symposia at the APSAD 2014 Conference. Call for symposia abstracts closes on 24 March 2014.
Date: 9-12 November 2014
Venue: The Adelaide Convention Centre
For more information or to register: See the flyer, or visit the Conference website

Visions and Values: Setting the scene for the future 
Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council of Tasmania (ATDC)
Visions and Values: Setting the Scene for the Future will open debate on important alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues and provide conference delegates with the opportunity to focus upon the future of the ATOD sector in this time of change.
Date: 7 - 8 May 2014
Venue: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart
For more information: Visit the ATDC website, or call (03) 6231 5002

NADA Conference 2014
Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA)
NADA is inviting interested participants to submit an abstract to present at the 2014 NADA Conference: Diversity Driving Innovation in the non-government drug and alcohol sector. The conference will focus on service responses to people with problematic substance use, and complex health and social needs.
Date: 12-13 May 2014
Cost: NADA Members $385, Non-Members $430
Venue: The Grace Hotel, Sydney
For more information or to register: Visit the Conference website, see the Program, or email conference@nada.org.au

NIDAC Conference 2014
National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC)
This year's Conference theme is “What Works: Doing it our Way”. It will provide a platform for an inspiring program showcasing what is working within the AOD sector to address the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs and its associated harms among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Date: 4 – 6 June 2014
Venue: Grand Hyatt, Melbourne
Cost: Before 31 March 2014 Speaker Registration $600, Standard Registration $700; After 31 March 2014 Speaker Registration $600, Standard Registration $750; Day Registration $320
For more information or to register: See the program, the media release, or visit the Conference website

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Grants and Funding Opportunities

Healthy Canberra Grants
ACT Health, ACT Government
Healthy Canberra Grants is open for expressions of interest from community-based groups, school communities, not-for-profit organisations and government agencies. This funding opportunity will be for programs of up to three years duration, commencing from July 2014. Nearly $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 considered.
Closing date: 24 March 2014
For more information: See the Healthy Canberra Grants Funding Guidelines, visit the ACT Health website, email hpgrants@act.gov.au, or call (02) 6205 1325
 
ACT Health Promotion Innovation Grant
ACT Health, ACT Government
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. 
Closing date: 20 June 2014
For more information: See the Health Promotion Innovation Grants Guidelines, visit the ACT Health website, email hpgrants@act.gov.au, or call (02) 6205 1325
 
Primary Health Care Innovation Grant Fund
ACT Health, ACT Government
The ACT Government has established the Primary Health Care Innovation Grant Fund to support innovative projects that contribute to areas such as models of care, leadership and management, teaching, research, training and information technology. In addition, applications that show innovative approaches to improving access to primary health care services for population groups who are marginalised or disadvantaged will be encouraged, as well as projects that involve collaboration of multidisciplinary providers. They are providing up to $200,000 for those projects that have the potential to make a positive impact on primary health care service delivery in the ACT. 
Closing date: 21 March 2014
For more information: See the application guidelines, visit the ACT Health website, email Rachel.pickrell@act.gov.au, or call (02) 6205 2371
 
Certificate III in Population Health – Scholarship Assistance for Community Sector Workers
ACT Health
As part of ACT Health's commitment to increasing health promotion capacity in the ACT community, the Health Improvement Branch is offering scholarship assistance for community sector workers to complete a Certificate III in Population Health, at the Canberra Institute of Technology from April 2014. The Certificate III in Population Health provides an ideal introduction to health promotion and population health concepts and will offer a recognised qualification for workers in the sector. There is also the opportunity, through further coursework, to progress to a Certificate IV in Population Health.
Closing date: 21 March 2014
For more information: Visit the ACT Health website, or email margot.jensen@cit.edu.au

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Youth, Mental Health and Allied Sectors

National Youth Week 2014
Youth Coalition of the ACT
National Youth Week is an annual, weeklong celebration of young people (aged 12–25) throughout Australia. It is a joint initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments and Beyondblue. National Youth Week 2014 will be held from 4 – 13 April. Each year, all over Australia, events are planned and organised to celebrate and recognise the contribution of young people.
For more information: Visit the ACT Youth Coalition website, email youthweek@youthcoalition.net, or call (02) 6247 3540
 
Understanding and Managing your Depression and Anxiety
Mental Health Foundation ACT
Skills for Life Program would like to announce a new term for “Understanding and Managing your Depression and Anxiety”. The sessions will be coordinated by a Peer Educator and the Program Manager. The aim of the workshop is for participants to learn more about their condition not only from research-based material but from firsthand experience.
Date: Thursdays, from 13 March to 17 April 2014
Time: 10:30am – 12pm
Venue: Meeting Room 1, Level 1, Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub, 70 MacLaurin Cr, Chifley
For more information:  See the flyer, visit the Mental Health Foundation ACT website, or call 0406 377 512
 
Memberships of the 2014-16 ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Women
ACT Government
The Minister for Women, Joy Burch MLA recently announced that nominations are being sought for membership of the 2014-2016 ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Women.
The Council plays a key role in assisting the Government to develop and implement policies that advance the status of women.
Nominations are invited from individual women and representatives of women's organisations and peak bodies in the ACT who are able to demonstrate commitment to the advancement of women; a sound knowledge of the interests and concerns of ACT women and girls; and an ability to consult and represent on a wide range of women's issues.  
Nominations close: 31 March 2014
For more information: Visit the Women ACT website, email women@act.gov.au, or call (02) 6207 2552
  
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Consumer Participation

News from the Drug War Front Radio Show
Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy
News from the Drug War Front, is Australia’s only radio show that is produced by drug users for drug users. News from the Drug War Front is a weekly one-hour radio show that is scripted and presented by clients and staff from CAHMA and The Connection, Canberra’s drug user organisations. The show is broadcast on ACT community radio 2XX 98.3FM on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 3:00PM and covers stories and issues of interest to illicit drug users and people who work in the alcohol and other drug sector. News from the Drug War Front is also streamed live through the radio station website.
For more information: See the News from the Drug War Front facebook page
 
C the person, not the disease
Cmecommunityactiononhepc.tumblr.com
The “C the person, not the disease” campaign is to help combat stigma and discrimination for
For more information: Visit the website 
 
Consumer Representative Training Course
Health Care Consumers’ Association (HCCA) 
This course provides people with the opportunity to nominate as a Consumer Representative on a health service committee and make a valuable contribution to improve health services. Participants will learn more about the ACT Health system from a consumer perspective and how to use this knowledge to make effective system change.
Date: 21 March 2014
Time: 10am - 3pm
Venue: HCCA Meeting Room, ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland St, Hackett
Cost: Free
For more information and to register: email sandraavila@hcca.org.au, or call (02) 6230 7800
 
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Employment and Volunteering Opportunities

Note: employment opportunities in the sector are also promoted on the Jobs of Substance website

General Practitioner – Part time/sessional
Directions
The Althea Wellness Centre General Practitioner will provide excellence in clinical care and provide support to people with alcohol and other drug issues as an integrated response with the range of other services available at Directions. The General Practitioner will work closely with members of the clinical and allied health team to provide holistic health care in a primary care setting. The GP clinic is designed primarily for people who do not have a regular doctor.
No closing date.
For more information: See the position statement, or contact Wendy Armstrong by phone 0437 186 522 or email wendy.armstrong@directionsact.com

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ACT Media

Alcohol-related news

#neknomination: the internet has changed drinking games
The Conversation, 5 February 2014
Neknomination seems to have begun as a UK university phenomenon in 2012, but more recently burst into wider public consciousness in Australia, then South Africa and Canada. It has also been tragically linked to two deaths in Ireland.
For more information: See the article

Fringe Festival boss slams early liquor licensing laws
Canberra Times, 8 February 2014
Outspoken arts identity Jorian Gardner has struck out at the ACT's "nanny state" attitude towards liquor licensing.
For more information: See the article
 
Drunk drivers caught on Canberra roads
Canberra Times, 10 February 2014
Police breath testing saw more than 100 drivers per month caught on Canberra’s roads, with an additional 48 drivers found to be impaired by drugs.
For more information: See the article
 
Health Check: does alcohol cause cancer?
The Conversation, 10 February 2014
Ian Olver, Clinical Professor of Oncology, Cancer Council Australia
Alcohol and cancer is a topic that arouses a lot of controversy: many Australians like the odd drink but don’t want to make the connection to cancer, the world’s biggest killer.
For more information: See the article

Police praise Multicultural Festival crowd
Canberra Times, 10 February 2014
Police have praised the more than 250,000 people who attended the weekend's National Multicultural Festival in Civic after only a small number of offences were recorded.
For more information: See the article

Alcoholic liver disease on the increase in Young women
Canberra Times, 11 February 2014
More young women are being treated for advanced liver disease caused by steady and dangerous drinking starting in teenage years, doctors warn.
For more information: See the article

Man fined for one-punch assault in Queanbeyan
ABC News, 14 February 2014
A Queanbeyan man has been fined $750 for knocking a man unconscious with a single punch after he caught him talking to his girlfriend at the pub.
For more information: See the article                  
 
Detaining drivers a human rights’ breach: lawyer
Canberra Times, 17 February 2014
Proposed drink-drive laws that would allow police to detain motorists for 30 minutes invade basic human rights, lawyers say.
For more information: See the article                  
 
Lives and crimes: Kids who suffer fœtal alcohol Spectrum disorder
Canberra Times, 16 February 2014
Before Jack ever had a drink, alcohol permanently changed his brain. The 26-year-old's mother drank while pregnant and today Jack suffers from foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
For more information: See the article
 
Barry O’Farrell pressures Tony Abbott to hold national alcohol summit
The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 February 2014
The O'Farrell government will urge Prime Minister Tony Abbott to show leadership on the problem of alcohol abuse and has backed calls for a national alcohol summit.
For more information: See the article

Alcohol not linked to cognitive impairment in older men
The Conversation, 21 February 2014
University of Western Australia
Drinking alcohol, including regular heavy drinking and abuse, is not a direct cause of cognitive impairment in older men. Rather, indirect causes - such as poor diet and head injury - are more likely to be responsible for the previous association between alcohol abuse and cognitive impairment.
For more information : See the article

Exemption on alcohol ads on TV sports programs exposes young
Canberra Times, 25 February 2014
Existing rules on alcohol advertising are failing to protect children and must be tightened, the government agency charged with preventing disease says.
For more information: See the article
 
Report slams TV alcohol ads
Canberra Times, 25 February 2014
Current rules on alcohol advertising are failing to protect children and must be tightened, according to the government agency charged with preventing disease.
For more information: See the article

Victim robbed of $14k in jewellery after being labelled “so bling”
Canberra Times, 26 February 2014
A Watson man has made a mid-trial confession to the theft of more than $14,000 in gold jewellery after a night out drinking.
For more information: See the article

DrinkWise’s cynical campaign shouldn’t fool anyone
The Conversation, 28 February 2014
Adrian Carter, NHMRC Research Fellow, University of Queensland
Wayne Hall, Professor and Director, Centre for Youth Substance Abuse, University of Queensland
Alcohol industry-funded organisation DrinkWise has released a new advertising campaign titled ‘Drinking – Do it properly’ that will supposedly reduce the harmful effects of binge drinking among young Australians. Rather, these slicks ads will encourage young people to drink.
For more information: See the article
 
Earlier pub closing times key to reducing alcohol-fuelled assaults
The Conversation, 3 March 2014
Kypros Pypri, Professor, Public Health, Epidemiology & Prevention of Alcohol-related injury and Disease, University of Newcastle
Earlier pub closing times have a large impact on curbing alcohol-fuelled violence, according to a study published in the international peer-reviewed journal Drug & Alcohol Review.
For more information: See the article

Man arrested after drink-driving with baby in car
Canberra Times, 3 March 2014
A man has been charged with drink driving and speeding at more than 150km/h with his two-year-old in the car after allegedly crashing through a fence after a police chase.
For more information: See the article
 
Teachers deal with students’ drug and alcohol abuse, report says
Canberra Times, 6 March 2014
The binge drinking and drug taking culture among high school students is having a detrimental impact on schools, a survey of principals found, with teachers spending significant amounts of classroom time dealing with the fallout of weekend parties.
For more information: See the article 
 
Alleged assault on police
Canberra Times, 8 March 2014
ACT Policing has arrested a man after he allegedly assaulted a police officer.
For more information: See the article

New study reveals alcohol, not drugs, major factor in one-punch assaults
Canberra Times, 11 March 2014
Research suggesting the majority of fatal one-punch assaults are linked with alcohol and not illicit drugs will be presented at a forensic science seminar in Canberra.
For more information: See the article 
 
All in it together: why stopping alcohol’s harms needs everyone
The Conversation, 12 March 2014
Anthony Shakeshaft, Associate Professor and Deputy Director, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales
Attempts by communities to reduce binge drinking and the violence that often accompanies it are unlikely to succeed without a supportive legislative framework, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine.
For more information: See the article


Drug-related news
Indigenous anti-smoking project claims success
SBS News, 5 February 2014
A new anti-smoking program for Indigenous Australians highlights the importance of ongoing support and education to be successful.
For more information: See the article

US chain CVS stops tobacco sales: over to you, Coles and Woolworths
The Conversation, 7 February 2014
Craig Dalton, Conjoint Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle
The announcement by CVS, one of the largest drug store chains in the United States, that it will cease selling tobacco by October this year will have Coles' and Woolworths' public relations in a spin.
For more information: See the article

No butts about it: cigarettes are pick of the litter in the ACT
Canberra Times, 13 February 2014
Compared to the shopping trolleys and pushbikes hauled out of our lakes in their dozens each year, cigarette butts might seem a small problem.
For more information: See the article

Quitting smoking reduces stress, depression and anxiety
The Conversation, 14 February 2014                 
Fron Jackson-Webb, Section Editor, The Converation
Jayashri Kulkarni, Professor of Psychiatry, Monash University
Sharon Lawn, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University
Quitting smoking is associated with reduced depression and anxiety, and has a similar effect to antidepressant drugs for mood disorders, British researchers have found.
For more information: See the article                

Australia gets cigarette butt recycle scheme with TerraCycle
Canberra Times, 4 March 2014
For the first time in Australia, cigarette butts will be able to be recycled to become industrial plastic products, including shipping pallets, railway sleepers and even ashtrays.
For more information: See the article

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