The December 2011 Illicit Drugs Reporting System (IDRS) and the Ecstasy and related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) quarterly Drug Trends bulletins are now available on the flash new NDARC website. Topics are as follows:

IDRS: Driving behaviours among people who inject drugs in South Australia, 2006-2011: http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/idrs-bulletin-december-2011-driving-behaviours-among-people-who-inject-drugs-south

EDRS: What consumers are using now: which drug is on top? Feasibility study of regular stimulant users: http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/edrs-bulletin-december-2011-what-consumers-are-using-now-which-drug-top-feasibility-study

Expression of interest:
Research Assistants required by Alcohol Policy Research Team,
National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth

The alcohol policy research team, at the National Drug Research Institute, is seeking expressions of interest from applicants with an interest in
public health to work in Perth as part of the Patron Offending and Intoxication in Night-Time Entertainment Districts (POINTED) research project.

For more details about the project and how to apply, view the flyer

Via NOSFASARD

A link to a Youtube video with Dr Phillip May discussing his latest research with general population studies in schools to determine the prevalence of FASD. His research shows that FAS affects between two to seven per one thousand and the full spectrum of FASD affects between two to seven percent of entire school populations, which is substantially higher than previous estimates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNSPVOzeRNc

Philip May , is Professor/Senior Research Scientist, Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions (CASAA) and Professor of Family and Community Medicine University New Mexico., He is a highly respected researcher in his field and was a keynote speaker at the 4th International Conference on FASD held in Vancouver in March this year.

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) are requesting support from as many community services and health groups as possible to help inform a project looking into the possibility of establishing an Australian National Register of Evidence Based Programs and Practices that will most effectively prevent child and youth problems and improve developmental outcomes.

The survey is primarily targeted at policy makers and practitioners testing the level of support for the proposed register and the likely content areas that would be most useful. Responses are directed through an anonymous online survey form and will take approximately 5-10 mins to complete. The survey and more information can be accessed via this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/evidence-register.

To enable the results to be considered at a planning workshop in mid November, the distribution and analysis timeframe is unfortunately very short.

If you could complete and submit the online survey by Friday 4 November it would be much appreciated.

The sixth annual conference of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP) will be held in Canterbury, UK between 30-31 May 2012 at the Cathedral Lodge. The event will be hosted by the University of Kent (School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research).

The invited keynote speakers are:
§ Professor Thomas McLellan, University of Pennsylvania (formerly Deputy Director of the US Office for National Drug Contol Policy)
§ Dr Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund and member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy.
§ Dr Fiona Measham, University of Lancaster and member of the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
§ Martin Jelsma, Transnational Institute
The conference will discuss a wide range of drug policy issues, with a particular focus on ‘how can and do empirical studies influence drug policy?. Areas of particular interest include:

· The research-policy interface: e.g. the impact of research evidence on drug policy; The impact of drug policy on the research that is carried out; The influence of empirical work on analytical models of drug use and problems.
· How do we/should we analyse drug policy? e.g. the mutual contribution of different disciplines in studying drug policy (e.g. sociology and economics); reflections on methods that are used in analysis of drug policy; the contribution of network approaches and models in analysing drug policy and its effects.
· Impacts and implications of international policies and events on domestic drug policy: e.g. analysis of the interaction between international policy instruments, and between international and national policies; the effects of international conflicts, treaties and precursor control in influencing drug policy effects; the impacts of drug/crime policy in national/international drug markets;

As per in previous years the conference will be followed (on 1 June 2012) by two half-day workshops on specific aspects of drug policy analysis.

Researchers and/or practitioners interested in contributing papers are encouraged to submit abstracts containing 200-400 words by 1 December 2011. For full details on the call for abstract please see http://www.issdp.org/conferences.php

CO-MORBIDITY – MENTAL HEALTH AND ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS

The training
The aim of this two-day workshop is to provide an overview of theories and practical issues for working with people living with mental health (MH) and alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues.

The workshop aims to provide information and skills for improving the clinical practice of the workshop participants in order to benefit the people they work with.

The outcomes
By the end of the two day workshop participants will be able to:

· Understand the complex relationships between MH and AOD
· Explain key terminology and explore the role of language
· Describe the concept of “dual recovery”
· Discuss the impact of substances on mental health
· Demonstrate skills and the use of tools for assessing MH and AOD
· Understand readiness for change within the MH and AOD context
· Discuss strategies for addressing MH and AOD concerns
· Explain the process of working collaboratively with specialist services
· Demonstrate skills for addressing relapse in the MH and AOD context
· Discuss the NSW and Federal Guidelines for working with co-morbidity.
Date – 31st October and the 1st November Times – 9.15 am – 5pm
VENUE – Wesley Conference centre – 220 Pitt Street SYDNEY

COST – full fee $330

This workshop has been endorsed for CPD hours with APS and AASW and The College of Nursing

For additional information and to register on-line – go to – http://mybookingmanager.com/comorbidity

SECOND EVENT

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING WORKSHOP

The training

Motivational interviewing is a therapeutic approach, originally developed in the alcohol and other drug field, which has application in a range of other behaviour change contexts. Motivational interviewing is an interpersonal style designed to assist clients to explore and resolve ambivalence, and to I increase motivation for change. This workshop utilises the principles and practices of client-centred counselling to encourage the client to move through the stages of change. Client resistance is viewed as evidence of conflict or ambivalence, and is met with reflection rather than a confrontational style.

The aim of the workshop is to provide an overview of the theory and practice of motivational interviewing with a particular focus on its application within the clinical reality of the workshop participants.

The outcomes

Participants will have the opportunity to:
· demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of motivation and ambivalence
· identify the stages of change
· define the principles of motivational interviewing
· identify and practice the skills and strategies involved in motivational interviewing
· demonstrate strategies for “Rolling with Resistance”
· Define strategies for working with clients who have relapsed

The presenter

Alison Bell has a background in Nursing and Psychology, and has worked in the alcohol and drugs field since 1987 and as a training consultant for the past 18 years. In 1989 in collaboration with Dr Stephen Rollnick, Alison participated in researching the clinical application of the motivational interviewing model at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. Alison has an ongoing consultancy role with the NSW Institute of Psychiatry, NSW Department of Education and Training, Juvenile Justice and the Mental Health Co-ordinating Council.

7th & 8th November, 2011
VENUE –Mental Health Association – Level 5/ 80 William Street SYDNEY

COST – full fee $330

This workshop has been endorsed for CPD hours with APS and AASW and The College of Nursing

For additional information and to register on-line – go to – http://mybookingmanager.com/motivational

For information on both courses and to be included on our database for future notification please contact Suzanne Wood – at Wesley Mission Mental Health Training Unit – 9857 2777 or email – Suzanne.wood@wesleymission.org.au

Hep C: Take Control
is a six week group program run by Hepatitis Victoria. In a supportive group environment, participants will work together to share skills and develop strategies to better manage their condition and improve their symptoms.

Some topics to be covered are:
· Better management of hepatitis C and liver-related health problems
· Treatment and dealing with side effects
· Working effectively with doctors and other health professionals
· Making healthy lifestyle changes

Hep C: Take Control is suitable for anyone with hepatitis C, or for those who have successfully cleared the virus, but are experiencing ongoing health effects. There will be an emphasis on respecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants.

Bookings are essential as the courses are very popular and fill up quickly!

Where: Hepatitis Victoria office, Suite 5, 200 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Date: Starting Wednesday November 2nd (final session Wednesday December 7th)
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
RSVP by 26th October

If you are interested in taking part in the six week program, would like to refer someone, or would like find out more about Hep C: Take Control, phone the Hepatitis Infoline on 1800 703 003 or email Louisa Walsh, Hep C: Take Control program coordinator – Louisa@hepvic.org.au

Another Turning Point seminar coming soon:

Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre and the Australian Drug Foundation

Invite you to

‘Developing an Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Treatment Strategy for Victoria: What do we need?’

When: Wednesday 21 September 2011,

Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Where: William Angliss Institute Conference Centre, 555 La Trobe Street, Melbourne

As the Victorian Government works on a whole-of-government Alcohol and Drug Strategy, it is timely to consider what the key issues are in terms of alcohol and drug use in our community. Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre and the Australian Drug Foundation will present a full-day symposium to consider the opportunities and challenges for a whole-of-government approach.

Speakers will explore what existing evidence does or does not tell us in terms of opportunities for prevention, treatment responses, system and service configurations, community engagement and population-based approaches.

The symposium will seek ideas and proposals from attendees, as well as identify key issues from across all sectors of government.

Registrations are now open.

Register for the Symposium by going to http://www.turningpoint.org.au/