The Federal Health Minister has launched an Illicit Drug Campign to go along with its Tobacco and Alcohol campaigns. It’s a campaign that involves lots of information around the dangers of illicit drug use, that aims to “decrease motivation” of young people to commence use.

I’m all for education and knowledge, but I just get the feel this is just more of the same. There doesn’t seem to be any real differentiation from the decades of previous information and it just doesn’t seem that engaging. Again, campaigns like this probably do help but I’m interested in your thoughts: if you had the same budget, what would you do to ensure an effective and engaging campaign for young people and illicit drugs?

Here’s the text of the full press release:

Ad Campaign launched to confront Illicit Drug Use

The Rudd Government today launched the next stage of its hard-hitting $17 million advertising campaign to combat illicit drug use in Australia.

The campaign presents the ugly facts of illicit substance use including confronting and graphic images of young people addicted to drugs and the reality of underground production
labs.

This campaign aims to tackle drug use by presenting the physical and psychological impacts of illicit drug use.

It urges young people to decide against drug use and directs users to support, counselling and treatment services.

This campaign is about young people understanding the consequences of illicit drug use, asking them to ‘face facts’ and emphasising the damaging effects drugs have.

Too many young Australians don’t understand the very real and dangerous impacts of taking or using illegal drugs.

Ecstasy is made in filthy, makeshift labs, using toxic ingredients like battery acid and bleach. The toxicity of each pill varies and the potential for overdose is in every single pill.
There is no ‘quality control’ over the manufacture of drugs such as ecstasy.

In 2007 more than one third of the people aged over 14 had used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime.

The proportion of recent regular ecstasy users who use weekly or more often has risen from 0.8 per cent in 1998 to 17.3 per cent in 2007. There is also a disturbing trend in the
increased ecstasy use by young females aged between 14-19 which is up from 4.7 per cent in 2004 to 6 per cent in 2007.

The campaign features print, outdoor, radio and in-venue advertisements depict real-life situations.

The advertisements, which will appear from this Sunday, were developed with the advice of clinicians, law enforcement officers and young people.

Further information, fact sheets and advice is available at www.australia.gov.au/drugs or by calling the free national hotline: 1800 250 015.

The Drug Policy Modelling Program at the University of New South Wales has been funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to conduct a study into Australian media reporting on illicit drugs. As part of the study we have developed a short online survey to examine youth attitudes to media reporting.

The survey is completely anonymous and we are targeting anyone aged 16-24 who lives in Australia. Our goal is to hear from a broad spectrum of youth: people from cities and rural Australia, from NT, WA, NSW etc and drug users and non-users. We’d appreciate your help to promote the survey in anyway you can: through blogs, email alerts, links on websites or word of mouth. This is the first major study of its kind in Australia and indeed it is also unique internationally and so we are seeking as broad and representative sample as possible.

The survey is available at www.drugmediasurvey.com.

As you would be aware there is currently a consultation process in place regarding the development of the next National Drug Strategy, with details on the consultation located at:

http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/

To assist in any submission you may be developing I would also like to draw your attention to this new page on the ANCD website that provides a single point for easy access to all current and past national strategies and evaluation.

http://www.ancd.org.au/government-policy/government-policy.html

Celebrate Your Success at the National Drug and Alcohol Awards 2010 in Brisbane:
Pencil Friday, 25 June 2010 in Your diary

The Ted Noffs Foundation is pleased to advise that arrangements are well advanced for the staging of the National Drug and Alcohol Awards (NDAA) 2010 in Brisbane on Friday, 25 June 2010. Ted Noffs Foundation will be working with Drug Arm Australasia in hosting the awards.

Hosting the 2010 Awards on behalf of the Coordinating Committee comprising the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD), and the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF), Ted Noffs has secured The Sebel & Citigate Hotel in King George Square in Brisbane as the venue.

Now in its seventh year, the Awards not only honour the dedication and innovation within the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector, but also recognise excellence in a range of areas. In addition to the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence, and the NDAA Honour Roll that recognises eminent Australians who have dedicated their lives to reducing harms caused by AOD misuse, a new Award Category “Excellence in Creating Healthy Sporting Communities” has been included for 2010, and is proudly sponsored by the Australian Drug Foundation.

This Award seeks to recognise best practice across the community sporting and recreation sector for the responsible management and prevention of harm relating to alcohol and other drugs. The Award is open to all community sports clubs, codes or associations.

Professionals and researchers will also be able to apply for recognition in the following AOD categories:

Excellence in treatment and support
Excellence in prevention and community education
Excellence in research
Excellence in services for young people
Excellence in law enforcement,
Excellence in alcohol and drug media reporting
Excellence in school drug education

Follow-up information regarding the updating of the NDAA website at www.drugawards.org.au will be advised in mid-January 2010. This will focus on the various Award Categories, a web-based nomination form, opening/ closing dates for entries, table reservations/ tickets for the Awards Dinner, accommodation options in Brisbane, and strategic sponsorship partnerships.

For more information contact either Jagdish Dua at Ted Noffs, Phone 02 8383 6621, Email duaj@noffs.org.au; or Brian Flanagan, Phone 02 6215 9802, Email brian.flanagan@adca.org.au.

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research in collaboration with the Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has today released the following report:

How do methamphetamine users respond to changes in methamphetamine price?

One of the core objectives of supply-side drug law enforcement is to reduce drug use by raising the cost of buying drugs.
The effectiveness of this strategy depends on how illicit drug users respond to the rise in costs. The aim of the current study was to estimate how methamphetamine users would respond to changes in the price of methamphetamine and heroin
using a scenario-based research design.

Link to PDF report

For those working at the NSEP coalface the Commonwealth report doesn’t contain any great surprises: the program has saved hundreds of millions of dollars overs its lifetime (Alex Wodak has a спалниnice piece over at Crikey on the report). The challenge now falls to both the Commonwealth and State governments to follow-through and further entrench the validity of NSEP. Hell, they could even expand its reach. There’s a chance for some governmental innovation.

The Health Minister Nicola Roxon is enthused by the passage of the legislation supporting the formation of a preventative health agency. Not surprisingly, the pressure is already being applied to Senators in regards to its passage through that chamber. The press release in full:

Australia’s first ever Preventive Health Agency will soon be established following the passage of important legislation in the House of Representatives today. The Agency is a key part of the Rudd Government’s decision to invest more in preventative health measures than any other government in Australia’s history.

The legislation is now with the Senate for consideration. It is essential that this Bill be passed without delay so that the agency can commence work on 1 January 2010.

The creation of this agency responds to calls from health professionals for Australia to establish – as many other countries have done – a dedicated agency to focus exclusively on driving the prevention agenda and combat the complex challenges of preventable chronic disease.

The agency will guide health ministers in their task of curbing the growth of lifestyle risks driving chronic disease. It is a role requiring national leadership, capacity to work across sectors and portfolios, and an oversight role for surveillance and monitoring.

The agency will bring together the best expertise in the country and play a key role in gathering, analysing and disseminating the best available evidence and evidence-based programs.

Its prevention activities will engage all Australian governments as well as employers, businesses and other sectors, to benefit every community in the nation.

The new preventive health agency will concentrate on reducing the burden that preventable health problems are already placing on the workforce, and ensure Australia’s productive capacity is maintained.

The agency will receive $133 million over four years, from the Government’s record $872 million COAG Prevention Partnership funding.

Strong support for the agency has been expressed by key players in the preventive health field such as the Public Health Association of Australia, and this is important in ensuring the agency’s success in forging cohesiveness in national preventive health efforts.

The preventative health agency legislation holds some promise and it’ll be interesting to see how much ideology enters the debate. You can expect the AMA to go in hard on the issue of medical funding not beign sacrificed on the altar of prevention. There may also be some argy bargy over the taskforce being another incremental step toward Commonwealth takeover of health. Beyond that, it’s really hard to see any Senator taking a strong stand unless it’s to claim the model is wrong or that there’s not enough funding for it to work effectively.

Over to you: are you encouraged by the NSEP report and the taskforce legislation? Do you see it as a positive step toward better health services delivery?

Director, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
Faculty of Medicine
REF. 6753

UNSW is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities, with a particular commitment to fundamental and applied research, social engagement and an international perspective. The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, located in the Faculty of Medicine is committed to providing a stimulating research environment that promotes excellence and innovation in drug and alcohol research. NDARC is a Commonwealth funded National Research Centre with an outstanding record of success in obtaining peer-reviewed research funding and an international reputation as a leading research centre in drug and alcohol related issues.

The Faculty is now seeking to appoint a new Director (at the academic level of Professor or Associate Professor) who will build on the impressive growth of the Centre over the past 5 years and raise its profile even higher on the National and International stage.

As an internationally recognized academic with an established research profile in drug and alcohol studies, you will bring the following to the role:
A breadth of vision that encompasses the diverse range of drug and alcohol research within the Centre;
A profile in the field that will attract outstanding talent to the Centre and inspire new approaches to drug and alcohol research;
Leadership and change management expertise to further develop what is already a dynamic and productive culture in the Centre, and to continue its growth trajectory;
Willingness and ability to actively promote the best interests of the Centre, Faculty and University; and
The communication and management skills necessary to take the Centre forward and to represent it and give it a prominent voice in domestic and international forums.

The appointment will be for a full-time five year, potentially renewable term. The Director appointment attracts a salary supplement, and additional benefits may be negotiable.

EEO groups are encouraged to apply. The University reserves the right to fill the position by invitation. Applicants should systematically address the selection criteria contained in the Position Statement.

Membership of an approved University superannuation scheme is a condition of employment for this position. The successful applicant may be required to undertake a criminal record check.

Having read all the documentation you may then direct any enquiries regarding this position to Mr Wayne Bruce, Ccentric Health Executive Search on (612) 9232 8148; wayneb@ccentrichealth.com

Applications close : 30 October 2009

More info on applying here.

Today 9/9/09 is the 10th Anniversary of International FASD Awareness Day – The 9/9 was first choosen because 9 is the number of months of pregnancy when alcohol consumption can cause permanent brian damage. .

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is an umbrella term used to describe a range of adverse effects caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Partial FAS (PFAS), Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ARND) or Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD)

FASD is not a label – it is a medical condition and a serious lifelong disability. Prevention, diagnosis and intervention are critical public health issues that require a high degree of planned action at a policy and service delivery level in order to reduce harm.

While International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day is recognised throughout the world NOFASARD would like to reflect on the current situation in Australia:

- Children, adolescents and adults with FASD have multiple and complex needs that are currently not being met and this is resulting in poor life outcomes including social exclusion
- FASD rarely appears in Australian research or policy documents where it should be receiving attention.
- FASD does not appear on the government list of registered disabilities?
- There are no Australian Clinical Guidelines for diagnosing FASD and there are no Government funded specially trained interdisciplinary diagnostic teams.
- There is no Medicare number for rebate for the diagnosis of FASD
- Despite having very similar needs, individuals with FASD do not receive the same level of care and funding as those with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Individuals with FASD will be over-represented amongst those with drug and alcohol dependency issues yet most treatment programmes offered by service providers are not appropriate for this population.
- There is no national standard of care for individuals of any age with FASD – they are seldom treated effectively or fairly and they are seldom connected to service dollars.
- FASD is NOT just an Indigenous issue – FASD will be find wherever alcohol is part of the culture and exists across all social groups – the majority of individuals with FASD who are on NOFASARD’S data base are non-Indigenous.

Families with affected children have waited long enough – they are desperate and their children are suffering. Families are tired of their pleas falling on deaf ears and they are tired – they need action and they need it now.

- At a minimum there needs to be at least one specially trained interdisciplinary diagnostic team in each state of Australia
- Families want to see collaboration and a greater understanding of FASD in the education, disability, drug and alcohol, health, mental health and justice systems and they want these systems to work with them, instead of against them or separate from them.
- Families who have FASD want to be consulted – they have the benefit of the wisdom that comes from practice and they are the experts when it comes to knowing what are the current gaps and inadequacies in the systems and so if we are to have any chance of addressing the best interests of those who are directly impacted, there needs to be a government sponsored forum that enables wide consultation at the grass roots level.
- Families need policy makers to understand that their children with FASD don’t grow out of their disability as they get older – they grow up to be adults with FASD who will need targeted integrated support services throughout their whole life if they are to achieve any level of sustained function.
- Families need an immediate commitment from government to provide the same level of funding as has already been provided to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to enable children, adolescents and adults with FASD to have access to specifically targeted service delivery.
- FASD must be included under the Commonwealth list of registered disabilities so that families don’t have to continually fight for services from the education, health, disability, social service and justice sectors.

Whatever you think of Della Boscas personal indescretions I want to record my thanks and appreciation for all the good work he did as Special Minister of State and then Health Minister especially in regard to the problems of drugs and alcohol. Here was a man who took a deep personal interest in these issues and who was always open to listen to the concerns of those affected. No other Minister in this portfolio showed the same interest and concern as he did over his years involved. ‘He also made real and effectective changes. This is a loss that all my colleagues in the sector are now feeling. I also feel that at the moment he must be feeling friendless and isolated and just want him to know that many in the field are feeling sadness at his going in this way.

I tend to agree with the line former premier Bob Carr and many others took this week: a minister’s personal issues aren’t necessarily a hanging offence from a ministerial or policy perspective. That said, the NSW Labor government is so past its use-by date that nothing surprises anymore. Unless they parachute Barrie Unsworth into the premiership – then I’d be truly gobsmacked.