Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs (APSAD) Conference 2008
23-26 November 2008
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia,

The Organising Committee is delighted to invite you to Sydney to participate in the 2008 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs (APSAD) Conference. APSAD 2008 will feature an exciting program of papers from renowned international and national keynote speakers focussing on cutting edge treatment, prevention and policy approaches to the drug and alcohol field.

The APSAD 2008 Conference will feature a diverse range of clinical workshops/master classes to enhance skills acquisition and knowledge transfer. There will also be a significant program of poster presentations to increase the ability of presenters and delegates to interact and discuss the findings from projects of most relevance to them.

The 2008 APSAD Conference location provides the opportunity for you to enjoy scenic Darling Harbour and the nearby Chinatown area. Darling Harbour is centrally located to the Sydney CBD and many other attractions. We look forward to seeing you in Sydney in 2008 for this important event.

Abstracts should be submitted no later than 11 July 2008.
Please see the website for futher information - http://www.apsad2008.com/

ShareThis

ShareThis

DANA is seeking Expressions of Interest from members wanting to be involved in the organising committee for the 2008 One Day Symposium and AGM to be held in Sydney on 27 June. In conjunction with the DANA Executive members, the role of the organising committee will be to assist in developing and organising this event.

If you are interesting in being involved please email Wade Norrie (wdnorrie@bigpond.com) or Louise Hawkins (louise.hawkins@defence.gov.au)

ShareThis

“This week’s website of interest: International conferences

Just a few of the international conferences coming up this year. ADCA maintains a list of upcoming conferences, seminars and workshops on the webpage below:

http://www.adca.org.au/conflinks/index.htm

23-25 June 2008
Club Health 2008: 5th International Conference on Substance Use, Nightlife and Related Health Issues

Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, Spain
www.clubhealth.org.uk/conference

7-9 July 2008
Beyond 2008 International NGO drug policy forum

Vienna

www.vngoc.org

10-12 July 2008
International Addiction Summit - A Climate for Change

Melbourne

www.addictionsummit.org

15-16 September 2008
1st global conference on methamphetamine: science, strategy and response

Prague, Czech Republic

www.globalmethconference.com

ShareThis

The Drug & Alcohol Consultation Liaison Nurse (D&A CLN) position promotes a patient centred approach to working with patients who are affected by drug and alcohol use and / or related conditions. The D&A CLN will be a member of the Wagga D&A Team, and the broader D&A area wide senior nurses team.

The D&A CLN will aim to build workforce capacity at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital emergency department, the acute care mental health service (i.e. Gissing House and the Mental Health Emergency Care Support Centre) and in the ward settings to effectively and efficiently respond to patients with co-morbid D&A and mental health conditions.

The D&A CLN will build productive relationships between D&A, hospital and mental health service staff to benefit patients accessing these services.

Enquiries: Gail Legg Senior Nurse Manager, 02 4474 1588, gail.legg@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Closing Date: 17/04/2008

To Apply Online: www.ezisuite.net/eziJob/GSAHS/HRRegistry/default.cfm?act=viewVacancy&type=W&vid=73990&src=6

ShareThis

52% of Australians support an additional levy on alcohol. National alcohol survey backs major changes to drinking laws

Of Substance, (www.ofsubstance.org.au) Australia’s leading magazine on alcohol, tobacco and drug issues, has today released findings from its comprehensive survey into Australian attitudes towards alcohol.

The survey revealed widespread concern about the effects of alcohol, specifically binge drinking, but also about the impact alcohol was now having on young people and communities.

Respondents expressed significant levels of concern (over 80%) about personal safety, the safety of property and the workload on police because of alcohol related behaviour.

While 84 per cent were concerned about alcohol’s impact on the community, there was widespread confusion about what constituted a session of ‘binge drinking’. Indeed 47% of people believed a ‘binge’ would mean more than 8 drinks at a time Worryingly, almost 10% of respondents believed that someone was not bingeing on alcohol until they had consumed 15 or more drinks.

Conversely, only 1 in 5 respondents could recall having knowledge of the National Drinking Guidelines, which suggest low-risk drinking levels.

In a significant blow to efforts in the drugs and alcohol field to address alcohol related problems– a third of respondents couldn’t name anyone who they could go to for help with an alcohol related problem. More alarming still, 42 per cent of 18-29 year olds did not know where to seek assistance for an alcohol related issue. Interestingly, not one respondent named a telephone help-line as a source of where to get help despite these services existing for many years around the country.

The survey also highlighted that a third of respondents didn’t classify alcohol as a drug.

Alcohol advertisers were also targeted, with the results indicating that 77 per cent of people believe advertising efforts should be reviewed by an independent non-industry body before release to the media. They also wanted advertising restricted to places and times where it was unlikely to be seen by people aged under 18.

Two thirds of respondents believed there isn’t enough public education about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. One in two people (52%) were willing to see a levy placed on alcohol to help fund alcohol treatment and prevention services.

Of Substance spokesperson and board member Dr John Herron said: “The survey results are indicative of a nation that is confused about alcohol. Whilst moves made in recent weeks by the Government are definitely in the right direction more needs to be done in prevention, education and treatment.

It is time to move onto the tougher issues such as advertising and marketing of alcohol, alcohol availability and more generally the way we tax alcohol. Basically, the higher the alcohol content of a drink the more it should be taxed. We know that some of these are unpopular measures with government and industry, but the Of Substance survey shows there is substantial public support for them. I think there is little doubt now that the community is not only ready to see change but is demanding change from our governments.”

The full survey findings will appear in the April issue of Of Substance.

For more details on the survey and Of Substance, including to receive a free copy of the magazine visit, ShareThis

Participants may be eligible for an NCETA Comorbidity Scholarship to cover costs associated with the workshop.  

For more  information, please see the attached flyer.  For more information please do not hesitate to contact  myself or Rachele Davies on 08 8404 2538.  

Cheers Gabby Sheppard 
Administration Assistant 
Mental Health Sciences Postgraduate Programs   
Flinders University” 

ShareThis

The first workshop will be held on 5 March 2008 at the Darlington Centre - Sydney University. The workshop commences at 6:30pm for a 7.00pm start.

DANA is pleased and fortunate to have Professor Ian Webster present at this first NSW educational evening. The topic will be Alcohol – no ordinary commodity.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP Louise Hawkins ( DANA National Vice President) on mudge2@bigpond.com by COB 3rd March 2008. This first event is limited to 20 seats and will be allocated on a first to apply basis. The next 10 to miss out will be offered preferential seating at the following event in April. The event is sponsored by Reckitt and Benckiser.

ShareThis

More information about the two days can be found here.

Booking for the conference can be found at the above link. Please let me know if you have any queries and we look forward to receiving your booking.

Kind Regards
Pauline Hennessy
Development Worker
UK Hepatitis C Resource Centre, Mainliners

0141 353 1308
0141 331 2552
www.hepccentre.org.uk

ShareThis

Expressions of interest are sort and applicants should address their EOI to Louise Hawkins (Vice President, National) along with a copy of your CV.

For information regarding the role, please contact Louise Hawkins on mudge2 AT bigpond.com

ShareThis