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Relevant news and information about upcoming events is collected here, including conference details when available.

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Conferences

Future conferences

Insights and solutions: The combined 2nd International Conference on Alcohol and Other Drug Related Brain Impairment and the Brain Injury Australia National Conference 2008
1 - 3 September 2008, Melbourne, Victoria

Leading acquired brain injury organisations, arbias and Brain Injury Australia, have joined forces for this informative three day event. This conference recognises the need for innovative approaches and improved practice in the field of acquired brain impairment and this will feature throughout the conference program.

The overarching theme, Insights and solutions, will provide a focal point for exploring all facets of acquired brain impairment and presents an opportunity for people with acquired brain impairment, their families and carers, clinicians, professional workers, researchers and policy makers to:

  • access cutting edge national and international research
  • drive education and prevention campaigns
  • build stronger treatment and support networks

For further information contact:
Australian Drug Foundation
Email: events@adf.org.au
Ph: (03) 9278 8137
Website: Brain Injury Australia
Website: arbias

Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2008
23 - 26 November 2008, Sydney, New South Wales

The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2008 will feature a program of international and national keynote speakers who will focus on new treatment prevention and policy approaches to the drug and alcohol field. A broad range of papers will be presented from renowned national and international experts in the latest cutting-edge drug and alcohol research.

Program overview:

The Scientific Program will focus on evidence, policy and practice and comprises the following:

  • Keynote presentations from National and International invited speakers
  • Symposia on selected topics
  • Concurrent oral sessions
  • Poster sessions
  • Clinicalworkshops/master classes
  • Social functions
  • Satellite meetings and launches

Keynote Speakers:

  • Dr Marina Davoli (Italy)
  • Associate Professor Greg Dore
  • Professor Ian Hickie
  • Professor Ross Homel
  • Dr Nick Lintzeris
  • Dr Rosalie Pacula (USA)
  • Professor Robin Room
  • Professor Rob Sanson-Fisher
  • Associate Professor Mark Tyndall (Canada)

The deadline for abstract submission is Friday 18 July 2008

View conference information


For further information contact:


Conference Organiser: ICMS Pty Ltd
3rd Floor, 379 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: (02) 9290 3366
Fax: (02) 9290 24444
Email: apsad2008@icms.com.au
Website: Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2008

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Past conferences

2007

4th Australasian Drug Strategy Conference
22-25 October, 2007, Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Meeting the Future - innovative and effective policy and practice. The Queensland Police Serviced hosted the Australasian Drug Strategy Conference. The conference was an information sharing forum to develop strategies aimed at reducing the negative effects of alcohol and other drug use. The conference attracted speakers and delegates from both Australia and overseas.
Website:http://www.police.qld.gov.au/news+and+alerts/campaigns/drugconf/default.htm

16th Western Australian Drug and Alcohol Symposium: Working Out What Works
18 - 19 September 2007, Fremantle, Western Australia

The symposium catered to a diverse range of professionals working in government and non government drug treatment agencies; tertiary and research settings; justice; diversion and law enforcement; education; health; mental health; youth; Indigenous; culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD); child protection and welfare; new researchers and graduates and individuals; and agencies representing drug consumers.

The symposium brought together a variety of speakers to present evidence based research in treatment, policy, prevention, harm reduction and law enforcement strategies. The event provided numerous opportunities for professional networking, collaboration, discussion and debate around “working out what works” in responding to alcohol and other drug-related harm across a diversity of settings.


For further information:
Symposium Secretariat
EventEdge International Management Group
Phone: 08 9389 1488
Email: info@eventedge.com.au
Website: http://www.woww2007.com/  

2007 Australian Winter School: The Way Forward
2 - 4 July 2007, Brisbane, Queensland

The Australian Winter School is an initiative of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Queensland (ADFQ). The programs of the Winter School covered prevention, education, treatment and rehabilitation. The 2007 Australian Winter School aimed to increase delegates' level of knowledge and professional skills, present the most recent research, and to demonstrate its relevance to those working in the alcohol and other drugs field. This year, each conference day was dedicated to a different theme:

•  Monday: sociology & policy
•  Tuesday: treatment
•  Wednesday: education & young people

One could select attending one day only, or all three.

Speakers included:

•  Scott Wilson, Director Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc (ADAC)
•  Dr Chris Sarra, Director of the Indigenous Education Leadership Institute
•  Dr John Roulston, Executive Director of Independent Schools Queensland.
•  Assoc. Prof. Simon Lenton, Deputy Director at the National Drug Research Institute
•  Prof. Steve Allsop, Director of the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI)

For further information:
Australian Winter School
PO Box 332
Spring Hill QLD 4004
Ph: (07) 3834 0214
Fax: (07) 3832 2527
Email: winterschool@adfq.org
Website: http://www.winterschool.info

2006

Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs (APSAD) Conference 2006
 5 - 8 November 2006, Cairns, Queensland

The event brought together international and Australian speakers to present the latest research in policy, prevention, treatment, law enforcement and harm reduction.

For further information:
ICMS Pty Ltd
88 Merivale Street, South Bank
Queensland 4101 Australia
Ph: (07) 3307 4000
Fax: (07) 3844 0909
Email: apsad2006@icms.com.au
Website: http://www.apsad.org.au/index.php?menu=conf

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Job vacancies


Position Vacant - Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Team Coordinator

Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia

Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services (Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia) is looking for a suitably qualified Coordinator for their Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Team.

Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services (NCHS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation servicing the Fitzroy Valley in the heart of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. NCHS is committed to delivering a range of holistic and culturally appropriate health promotion, disease prevention, environmental health and aged care services to an Indigenous population amongst whom traditional law, language and cultural practices remain strong.

The successful applicant for this position will;

  • play a pivotal role in the further development and implementation of the NCHS pilot ADMH program.
  • work closely with members of the ADMH Team, as well as other services and organizations within the region.
  • provide leadership and management to the ADMH Team while developing and delivering innovative and culturally appropriate ADMH Health Promotion strategies to the Fitzroy Valley Aboriginal Communities.
  • provide day-to-day administration, HR management, effective liaison with funding bodies and relevant key stakeholders and will play a key role in supporting and maintaining the Partnership with the State Health Services.
  • have a degree and leadership experience in, Alcohol and Drug health promotion, preferably in an Indigenous health setting.


All appointments are subject to satisfactory police and working with children clearances.

Excellent employment conditions apply including salary packaging and generous remuneration and leave. Relocation assistance and subsidised housing apply to appointments from outside the Fitzroy Valley.

Closing date: Saturday 9th August 2008

For an information package including position description and selection criteria please contact:
Patricia Muir
Director of Services
Ph: (08) 9193 0093
Email: nindilingarri@nindilingarri.org.au

Vibe Worker
Vibe Worker is a job search engine specifically for Indigenous Australian job seekers, and employers seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
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Other News

 

2008 - 2009 Budget: Closing The Gap in Indigenous Health

The Australian Government is investing $334.8 million towards closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.

Alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse are major issues of concern among some Indigenous communities, one Indigenous health budget initiative addresses a commitment of $49.3 million over four years, through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), to improve access to drug and alcohol services, including residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities. This measure doubles the 2006 COAG commitment for expanded drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services.

New AIHW report - The effectiveness of the Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative in rural and remote Australia

On the 10 April 2008 the AIHW released a report on The effectiveness of the Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative (IDDI) in rural and remote Australia. The IDDI provides a nationally consistent framework through which police and courts may refer eligible drug offenders towards appropriate assessment, education or drug treatment. This report presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of the IDDI in rural and remote Australia, drawing on quantitative and qualitative evidence to explore the extent to which the stated objectives of the IDDI have been achieved in rural and remote locations.

View report
View report (PDF - 735KB)
View website: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Centre for children with substance use problems opens in Alice Springs

The Bushmob Volatile Substance Abuse and Alcohol and Other Drugs Facility was officially opened in Alice Springs on the 10 April 2008. The residential service caters for up to 10 children suffering sniffing and other drug misuse problems.

James Cook University (Queensland) to report on the impact of the Opal fuel rollout on substance misuse in Indigenous communities

Researchers from James Cook University are investigating the impact of the Opal fuel rollout on substance abuse in Indigenous communities; specifically the impact on other substance use and population movement in those communities where Opal fuel has been introduced.

Petrol sniffing wanes in outback South Australia - Media release 26 February 2008

Latest survey figures from Nganampa Health show that sniffing in the SA outback has dropped from 222 people in 2004 to 38 in 2008; the drop is attributed to the introduction of non-sniffable Opal fuel, harsher penalties for petrol traffickers, extra policing and youth work. It is hoped continued efforts will eliminate sniffing in the APY lands.

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Last updated: 22 July 2008