Drug Action Week 2009
It’s that time of year again:
Register now for Drug Action Week
28 May 2009Final registrations are now being taken for Drug Action Week 2009 which runs from June 21-27 focussing on the theme Alcohol is a drug – TOO!
Drug Action Week is coordinated by the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) and aims to highlight issues related to the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol and other drug issues, and to recognise those who work in frontline support services in the alcohol and other drugs sector.
Hundreds of activities have already been registered on the Drug Action Week website www.drugactionweek.org.au and promotional packs are being sent out across the nation to support events in local areas.
“We’ve had an enthusiastic response to this year’s Drug Action Week, and are pleased to see many creative activities organised to foster community debate about the harms that come from the misuse of alcohol and other drugs, “said ADCA Chief Executive Officer David Templeman.
Activity organisers are encouraged to register now, in order to take advantage of the free promotional packs. The website www.drugactionweek.org.au also has ideas for events, tips on organisation and community involvement, fact sheets and downloads which are all available free of charge.
Each day during Drug Action Week 09 will have a particular focus;
• Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Community (Monday June 22)
• Prevention and Treatment (Tuesday June 23)
• Indigenous People/Rural Australia (Wednesday June 24)
• Binge Drinking (Thursday June 25)
• Comorbidity (Friday June 26)Drug Action Week 2009 begins Sunday, 21 June and concludes on Saturday, 27 June – incorporating the National Drug and Alcohol Awards (NDAA) at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday 26 June.
www.drugactionweek.org.au
Smoking ‘Smarties’
I’ve run across a rather interesting video that shows a young person demonstrating how to ‘smoke’ what he calls ‘Smarties’. They’re not the chocolate variety Australians know, but this type known as a ‘candy wafer roll’.
The video:
Although it seems a fairly harmless thing, the mimicking of smoking behaviours can’t be desirable. Or could it be a great harm minimisation technique? 
The Role of Schools in Alcohol Education
“The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) at Flinders University has been commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to undertake a project to examine the role of schools in alcohol education.
This national project is part of the Government’s “Youth Binge Drinking Initiative”.
The project aims to:
1. Investigate existing research on alcohol education programs aimed at deterring and reducing alcohol use in secondary school students
2. Consult with experts and key stakeholders (e.g. school staff and students, parents of school students) about their experience with
school-based alcohol education programs
3. Provide practical recommendations to DEEWR.
The project comprises:
1. A Call for Submissions ***** [the call for submissions is now open]
Experts in education, alcohol research, law enforcement, policy advisors and health economists, as well as community stakeholders, such
as youth groups, students and parents, will be invited to submit their views on these issues. For details of the submissions process please visit the NCETA website
2. An On-line survey
The on-line survey will be active from Friday 27 February and can be accessed from the NCETA website.
3. A literature review
4. Stakeholder interviews
Face-to-face or telephone interviews will be conducted with school personnel and students from Government, Independent and Catholic schools in each state and territory.
For further details of the project go to www.nceta.flinders.edu.au
If you would like more information about this project please contact the NCETA office.”
Australian Drug Foundation: survey with prizes
“Help the Australian Drug Foundation by completing a survey about your drug information needs. Not only will this help ADF to develop and improve its services, but you can also enter the draw to win one of five double passes to Hoyts cinemas or one of five $100 vouchers for the ADF bookshop.
The ADF’s mission is to work together to prevent alcohol and other drug problems in communities. One way we try to achieve this is through providing evidence-based information to people who have a professional need for alcohol and other drug information.
During February we are running a survey. The information gained through this survey will help guide the development of ADF’s information services to ensure we are providing the best possible support to professionals who need alcohol and other drug information both now and in the future. We would like to invite anyone in Australia who has a professional need for alcohol and other drug information to complete this survey.
The survey takes approximately 10–20 minutes to complete and is anonymous and confidential. No person will be individually identified.
Everyone who completes the survey can enter the draw for one of the following prizes*:
- One of five double passes to Hoyts cinemas
- One of five $100 vouchers for the ADF bookshop
*Employees of the ADF and their immediate families are ineligible to enter. Limit one entry per person.
The survey will close on Sunday 1 March 2009. “
ANCD surveying NGOs – your chance to cut red tape
Today’s announcement by the ANCD of a survey to determine the level of pain being experienced by ATOD NGOs is welcome – the real challenge is the action points arising from the survey results. The ANCD quite rightly recognise the dual issues of the enormous work in doing the original funding submission and the ongoing reporting requirements. Having been involved in both, and good compromise that reduces the onerous side for NGOs whilst still ensuring transparency can only be a good thing. Feel free to post your funding experiences to share with others.
The announcement:
To CEOs of NGOs within the Drug and Alcohol Sector
At a number of recent community consultation meetings held by the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) the burden on drug and alcohol NGOs in complying with submission and reporting processes from funding bodies has been raised as a major concern. This concern has also been echoed in discussions with the Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA).
Given the ANCD will be launching some major research on the NGO sector in early 2009, the membership of the ANCD has requested that a short survey be undertaken by the ANCD Secretariat to gain a broader understanding of the extent and degree of the impact of this issue on services.
The survey specifically seeks information on a number of different aspects, including time spent on completing funding submissions and complying with reporting requirements once funding has been granted.
As the CEOs of these services we would value your input by having you complete this on line survey. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JJ_2feoEQVEOdexY3lZfcHiQ_3d_3d
The closing date for surveys to be submitted is 21st January 2009.
We appreciate your valuable time and input. Should you require further information or assistance in completing this survey please contact Janice Jones, Janice@atca.org.au or Denise Gilchrist, denise@ancd.org.au regarding this request.
Dr John Herron
Chairman
Australian National Council on Drugs
New hallucinogenics research
With thanks to Rob on ADCA update for the heads-up:
1. Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 22, No. 6, 603-620 (2008)
Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety
MW Johnson
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
WA Richards
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
RR Griffiths
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA, Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,
There has recently been a renewal of human research with classical hallucinogens (psychedelics). This paper first briefly discusses the unique history of human hallucinogen research, and then reviews the risks of hallucinogen administration and safeguards for minimizing these risks. Although hallucinogens are relatively safe physiologically and are not considered drugs of dependence, their administration involves unique psychological risks. The most likely risk is overwhelming distress during drug action (‘bad trip’), which could lead to potentially dangerous behaviour such as leaving the study site. Less common are prolonged psychoses triggered by hallucinogens. Safeguards against these risks include the exclusion of volunteers with personal or family history of psychotic disorders or other severe psychiatric disorders, establishing trust and rapport between session monitors and volunteer before the session, careful volunteer preparation, a safe physical session environment
and interpersonal support from at least two study monitors during the session. Investigators should probe for the relatively rare hallucinogen persisting perception disorder in follow-up contact. Persisting adverse reactions are rare when research is conducted along these guidelines. Incautious research may jeopardize participant safety and future research. However, carefully conducted research may inform the treatment of psychiatric disorders, and may lead to advances in basic science.
2. Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 22, No. 6, 621-632 (2008)
Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later
RR Griffiths
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,
WA Richards
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
MW Johnson
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
UD McCann
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
R. Jesse
Council on Spiritual Practices, San Francisco, CA, USA
Psilocybin has been used for centuries for religious purposes; however, little is known scientifically about its long-term effects. We previously reported the effects of a double-blind study evaluating the psychological effects of a high psilocybin dose. This report presents the 14-month follow-up and examines the relationship of the follow-up results to data obtained at screening and on drug session days. Participants were 36 hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious/ spiritual activities. Oral psilocybin (30 mg/70 kg) was administered on one of two or three sessions, with methylphenidate (40 mg/70 kg) administered on the other session(s). During sessions, volunteers were encouraged to close their eyes and direct their attention inward. At the 14-month follow-up, 58% and 67%, respectively, of volunteers rated the psilocybin-occasioned experience as being among the five most personally meaningful and among the five most spiritually significant experiences of their lives; 64% indicated that the experience increased well-being or life satisfaction; 58% met criteria for having had a ‘complete’ mystical experience. Correlation and regression analyses indicated a central role of the mystical experience assessed on the session day in the high ratings of personal meaning and spiritual significance at follow-up. Of the measures of personality, affect, quality of life and spirituality assessed across the study, only a scale measuring mystical experience showed a difference from screening. When administered under supportive conditions, psilocybin occasioned experiences similar to spontaneously occurring mystical experiences that, at 14-month follow-up, were considered by volunteers to be among the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant of their lives. ”
Is anyone aware of hallucinogen research going on in an Australian context?
Stimulant Treatment Program: NSW Health release evaluation
“NSW Health has recently released the preliminary evaluation of the Stimulant Treatment Program, which is now available on the NSW Health publications website.
The Stimulant Treatment Program (STP) commenced in New South Wales in 2006 with a trial of two standalone stimulant treatment clinics based in Darlinghurst, St Vincent*s Hospital and Newcastle, Hunter New England Area Health Service. The clinics provide treatment for stimulant users, primarily methamphetamine users including brief interventions, CBT and case management for people with mental health and substance use problems, using a stepped care approach to treatment.
NSW Health recently conducted a preliminary evaluation of the STP. The aim of the evaluation was to measure the effectiveness of the model of clinical intervention for stimulant users and identify key issues relating to service delivery, and to examine the feasibility of conducting the STP at the two clinics.
The preliminary evaluation was able to demonstrate that the STP has been successful in attracting and retaining people who need treatment but are often reluctant to present at mainstream drug and alcohol services.
The report can be found at:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2008/stimulant_treatment.html “
Call for participation – Australia: Healthiest Country by 2020
From the ANCD:
“AN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE CONSULTATIONS ON “AUSTRALIA: HEALTHIEST COUNTRY BY 2020″
EARLY NOTICE
The Preventative Health Taskforce appointed by Health Minister Nicola Roxon has just released a major discussion paper – Australia: the Healthiest Country by 2020 – with supporting technical reports, and is keen to consult with as many organisations, groups and individuals as possible on this and the National Preventative Health Strategy, which is the next stage in its work. This email is to provide the earliest possible notice of the dates and locations of the consultation meetings.
The Public Health Association of Australia has been asked to assist the Taskforce by working with as many partner organisations as possible to distribute this invitation and encourages the strongest participation in order to assist the Taskforce and to demonstrate to government a keen involvement in the issues.
The discussion paper was released on 10 October 2008 and is available at:
Details of the consultation
1. may be found at http://www.preventativehealth.org.au (This will be updated)
2. are set out below
Please RSVP to pht.secretariat@health.gov.au and pencil the date in your diary.
The following locations have been confirmed:
Hobart 22 Oct Morning
Hobart Function and Convention Centre, 1 Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart
Launceston 23 Oct Morning
Hotel Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron Street, Launceston
The following locations for 2008 are yet to be confirmed:
Darwin 31 Oct Morning
Dubbo 7 Nov
Sydney 24 Nov and 25 Nov
Brisbane 24 Nov
Canberra 17 Nov and 19 Nov
Cairns 25 Nov
The following locations for 2009 are yet to be confirmed:
Adelaide 29 Jan
Mt Gambier 30 Jan
Perth 5 Feb
Kalgoorlie 6 Feb
Melbourne 10 Feb and 11 Feb
Wodonga 13 Feb
Community Treasurers’ Awards launch
MESSAGE FROM SENATOR URSULA STEPHENS
Earlier this month the Treasurer Wayne Swan launched an exciting new initiative that recognises the efforts of the thousands of community treasurers across the country who volunteer their time to keep community groups financially healthy.
The Westpac Community Treasurers’ Awards recognise and reward the unpaid labour of the many thousands of treasurers toiling in our community groups. These Treasurers often go above and beyond the call of duty spending hours ensuring their groups meet financial obligations, formulating budgets, generating numerous spreadsheets and making sure there’s enough money in the kitty to keep things ticking.
Too often, though, their efforts have gone unnoticed – Until now. The Westpac Community Treasurers’ Awards will provide prizes of $5000 in the organisational categories of small, medium and large. Importantly, the awards provide the opportunity for groups to say publicly they recognise and appreciate the great work the treasurers do for them.
I encourage you to circulate information about these awards in your community and to consider nominating a community treasurer who services you think deserve recognition.
More information on these awards including nomination forms are available through the Our Community website at www.ourcommunity.com.au/treasurersawards
Nominations close September 10.
Youth Drug Support Australia
Thanks to ADCA:
“Youth Drug Support Australia
Description: Youth Drug Support, is a website for young people (12 – 25 years) when you’re looking for info, wanting to chat with others or need a question answered. Whether it’s about drugs or alcohol, sex or sexuality or if you’re just having a rough time; you’ll find honest answers to help you make some good choices. There’s news, fact sheets, an interactive poll, a forum, and your opportunity to ask a health professional a question and receive a confidential answer.
Address: www.yds.org.au