CALL FOR PAPERS:

International Energy Drinks Conference: Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 6-7th November 2014.

The 1st International Energy Drinks Conference

Background

Caffeinated energy drinks are the focus of a new and rapidly progressing public health conversation in a number of countries. With most developed nations experiencing an exponential growth in energy drink sales, there are emergent fears amongst many health advocates about the health and behavioural effects of energy drink use. A developing interdisciplinary group of independent, government-supported and industry-funded researchers are working to investigate the: health and behavioural outcomes of consumption; consumption by young people; the consumption of energy drinks with alcohol; impacts of excessive consumption, and; the public health and policy issues surrounding availability and product labelling.

In this context, an international conference on Energy Drinks Research will be held in Geelong, Victoria, Australia on 6-7thNovember 2014.

The conference will be an interdisciplinary meeting of international non-beverage industry affiliated researchers at the forefront of energy drinks research.

Organisation and Program Committee

The conference will be hosted by the Deakin University Faculty of Health, at the Geelong Waterfront Campus. The Scientific committee is chaired by A/Prof Peter Miller (Deakin University) and includes Mr Nicolas Droste (Deakin University) Dr Raimondo Bruno and Ms Amy Peacock (University of Tasmania), Dr Amy Pennay (Turning Point) and Ms. Genevieve Cowie (Monash University).

A broader organising committee for the conference is chaired by Dr Beth Costa (Deakin University) and includes Dr Lucy Zinkiewicz, Dr Arlene Walker and Ms Alexa Hayley (Deakin University) Mr Sean O’Rourke (VicHealth), and Ms Helen Reddan (City of Greater Geelong).

Submissions

Papers are welcomed from a variety of methodological traditions, including controlled trials, case studies, chart audits, population survey analyses, time-series analyses, qualitative studies, program or policy evaluations, social psychology experimental studies and systematic reviews.

All abstracts relevant to the conference topic will be considered and subject to peer review.

All submissions must declare sources of funding for the research and the nature of any financial relationship with beverage industry stakeholders. Attendance is based on invitation only based upon your application to attend. People who are employed by energy drinks manufacturers, or have received research grants, travel expenses or other financial rewards will not be invited to attend.

Invited Speakers

The following international researchers will present keynotes on the primary themes of the conference:

• “Energy drinks mixed with alcohol: What are the risks?” (A/Prof Cecile Marczinski, USA)

• “The stimulating truth about energy drinks and the heart” (Professor Chris Semsarian, Australia)

• “Scientific evidence regarding the health effects and safety of energy drinks: What are the public policy responses?” (Professor Amelia Arria, USA)

• “These are for the cool people”: why you won’t see advertising for alcohol energy drinks (Professor Sandra Jones, Australia)

Size and Structure of the Meeting

We aim to have 80 or more attendants from various fields participating in the conference. Presentations will be 20 minutes. Poster submissions will also be considered.

Time and Venue

The conference will be held at the Deakin University Waterfront Campus in Geelong, located approximately 1-hour south west of Melbourne, serviced by rail (V-Line) and air (Melbourne Avalon).

The conference will be preceded by a waterfront cocktail party on the evening of Wednesday November 5th and will finish in the late afternoon of Friday November 7th. A conference dinner will be held in the evening of Thursday November 6th. International visitors may wish to combine travel to the conference with attendance at the 2014 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol & other Drugs conference, taking place in Adelaide from Monday 10th November.

Abstract Submissions

Scholars interested in presenting to the conference are invited to submit an informative abstract by May 31st 2014 by visiting:www.edconference.com.au and using the Abstract Submission Tool.

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words. The document should include all author and institution details as well as contact details of the corresponding author. Abstracts should cover the background to the paper, methodology, results and conclusion.

All submissions must sign the accompanying conflict of interest declaration.

Please send any enquiries you may have to: edconference-admin@deakin.edu.au

Conference registration fee

A registration fee of $250 will apply to all attendants at the conference, reduced to $200 for early-bird registration and $125 for current students. Early bird registration will close Monday 8th September. The organisers will suggest hotel and transport options at different price levels on the conference website.

www.edconference.com.au

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Operations Development Coordinator WASUA

OVERVIEW
The Western Australian Substance Users Association (WASUA) is a state-wide, peer based community organisation that aims to improve the health and social circumstances of people who use both licit and illicit substances in WA. Programs and services are delivered within a social health and community development framework underpinned by harm reduction and peer education. Services include a fixed site Needle Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) in Perth & Bunbury, mobile NSEP in the South West, Health Clinic, Treatment Referral Service, Safe Disposal, Community Education, Hepatitis C Resource Project, Opioid Pharmacotherapy Advocacy & Complaints Service (ORPACS), Outreach program, Peer Naloxone & Overdose Prevention and Management (OPAM), Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE) team etc

Operations Development Coordinator:
WASUA is seeking a part-time (30 hours per week – potential for full-time), Operations Development Coordinator to be part of the WASUA Management Team. This newly created position of Operations Development Coordinator will:

· Provide leadership and support to WASUA staff, students and volunteers and contribute to WASUA achieving its strategic purpose.

· Ensure effective and efficient operational management, planning and development for all WASUA programs and services

· Build WASUA’s capacity to respond effectively to the growing and changing demands that impact upon WASUA consumers and services

The successful candidate will have highly developed management skills and demonstrated leadership qualities, excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and a commitment to strive for organisational excellence. A sound understanding of the AOD sector, harm reduction and the issues that impact upon people who use drugs, is highly desirable.

Salary is in accordance with the Federal SCHCDS Industry Award Level 7/8 range, commensurate with experience (salary packaging is available).

For a copy of the application package please contact Gari-Emma Perry at WASUA on (08) 9321 2877 or email accreditation For more information regarding this position please contact Louise Grant at WASUA on (08) 9321 2877 or email manager@wasua.com.au Written applications will be administered by ANSON Recruitment Company (further information available in application package)

WASUA is prepared to negotiate hours with the right applicant.
Applications close on Monday 12th May 2014. WASUA is an equal opportunity employer.

Join the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) to work at the cutting edge of drug health services!

Are you passionate about social justice and working with marginalised drug users? Are you able to work flexibly and creatively with a diverse client group in a low threshold setting? Do you have two years’ experience working with people who inject drugs? Then come and join our team at the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) www.sydneymsic.com.

Sydney MSIC is currently recruiting suitably qualified people to join our Health Education team as casual and part time Health Education Officers in Kings Cross.

Applicants need to be able available to work some or all weekday shifts 9.30-13.30hrs; 13.30-18.00hrs on an as-needed basis (backfilling leave), with some limited opportunities to work evening (18.00-22.00hrs) and weekends (9.30-13.30hrs; 13.30-18.00hrs). People successfully recruited into these positions will also have an opportunity to back-fill some part time positions on a regular basis between June and Sept 2014.

To be considered for one of our Heath Education Officer roles you must meet the essential criteria below.

Essential Criteria:
• Qualifications in Welfare or Social Sciences, Psychology, Public Health or equivalent or working towards same.
• Understanding of and commitment to Harm Minimisation, Social Justice and the service delivery model of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre. • Ability to work in a demanding and changeable environment.
• Understanding of the health, social and legal issues related to injecting drug use and marginalised populations.
• Understanding of the legislative, policy framework and values underpinning MSIC’s operation.
• Computer competence including word processing and the use of clinical databases. • 2 years’ experience working with people who inject drugs.
• Experience working in needle syringe services, drug and alcohol services, crisis or accommodation services.
• Experience in psychosocial and drug use assessment and referral, supportive counselling and crisis management.

This is an opportunity for you to work in a supportive and friendly work environment, which provides you with continuing education opportunities, and a chance to progress your career.

Love Your Work. Join Our Team. Make a Difference. Apply Now.

To obtain a position description or to submit an application please go to: www.unitingcarenswact.org.au/careers

For Further Information Contact: Sarah Hiley – Health Education Team Manager – 02 9360 1191

If you require assistance with your application please contact HR Services on (02) 1300 797 358.

Closing Date: 5pm on 8th May, 2014

Please visit our careers page www.unitingcarenswact.org.au/careers to view additional opportunities with UnitingCare NSW.ACT.

Appointment will be conditional upon a satisfactory Federal Criminal Records check. UnitingCare is an EEO employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

A Launch Invitation

Sydney

Please find attached an invitation to the launch of an important new resource, Walking a Tightrope. The Hon. Kevin Humphries, MP will launch this new resource at

12.45pm, Monday 14 April, 2014 in the Parliament House Theatrette, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney.

Walking a Tightrope is a comprehensive resource for people who have a family member who uses both alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and violence in their relationships. The resource has been produced through a partnership between FDS and NCETA.

The launch will followed by a FREE Workshop from 2.00pm to 4.00pm covering:

• why the resource was developed
• the prevalence of co-occurring AOD use and family violence
• the challenges of working with AOD and family violence
• how the resource can be used in a range of situations
• strategies and guidance on working with clients with co-occurring AOD and family violence issues.

The workshop will be presented by Tony Trimingham and Michael White. Tony Trimingham OAM, is the CEO, Family Drug Support (FDS) an organisation he founded to assist families after the fatal overdose of his son Damien. FDS is primarily a volunteer organisation that supports families affected by AOD problems.  Michael White is Senior Project Manager – Workforce Development, at NCETA. Michael has more than 20 years’ experience in the community sector implementing workforce development strategies.

To book a place please RSVP by email to nceta@flinders.edu.au  indicating your interest in attending  the launch, workshop or both by 7 April, 2014. Include ‘Booking for Sydney Walking a Tightrope event’ in the subject line of your email. If making a group booking please include the name, organisation and phone number of all attendees. Please feel free to circulate this invitation to colleagues.

Following the launch, electronic copies of the resource may be downloaded from the NCETA website: www.nceta.flinders.edu.au.

Hard copies can be ordered from NCETA by:

• email from nceta@flinders.edu.au
• phone on 08 8201 7535 or fax 08 8201 7550
• visiting our website at http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/nceta/publications-and-presentations/order-publications/  where a number of resources on family and domestic violence and child and family sensitive practice are available for order.

You can also order copies from Family Drug Support at www.fds.org.au or admin@fds.org.au.

We hope to see you at this important national launch. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Michael White on 08 8201 7537 if you have any questions in relation to this matter.

Please distribute this invite to your networks.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Ann Roche

Director

National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction

Flinders University

GPO Box 2100

Adelaide SA 5001

www.nceta.flinders.edu.au

Deakin University & Turning Point are pleased to announce the following presentations on Friday 9th May, 2014 by Professor Beau Kilmer

1.00pm- Design considerations for legalizing cannabis: Starting with the Eight Ps

The cannabis policy landscape is changing rapidly. In November 2012 voters in Colorado and Washington State passed legalization initiatives to allow commercial production, distribution, and possession of cannabis for nonmedical purposes; not even the Netherlands goes that far. For-profit retail marijuana outlets opened in Colorado on January 1, 2014 and are scheduled to open in Washington later in the year. In December 2013, Uruguay made history by becoming the first country in the world to remove the prohibition on cannabis and begin experimenting with legalization. This presentation does not address whether cannabis should be legal; it instead focuses on eight design choices that will shape the consequences of cannabis legalization: Production, profit motive, promotion, prevention, potency, purity, price, and permanency.

2.30pm- A New approach to reducing drunk driving, domestic violence & other alcohol-related problems: Insights from South Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety Program

South Dakota has undertaken a radical policy experiment to reduce alcohol consumption among driving under the influence offenders (DUI) and other individuals in the criminal justice system with alcohol problems. South Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety Program (hereafter, 24/7) requires that offenders submit to breathalyzer tests twice per day or wear a continuous alcohol monitoring device. Those testing positive or missing a test face an immediate, but brief, jail term. From 2005 through mid-2012, more than 21,000 24/7 Sobriety participants racked up almost 3.4 million days without a detected alcohol violation. Perhaps more impressive is that the proportion of breath tests ordered and passed exceeded 99%, and this includes failures and no-shows in the denominator. 24/7 Sobriety is getting some of the most problematic drinkers in the state to sharply cut back on their alcohol consumption. Even if most individuals stay in the program for less than six months, 24/7 is having a noticeable effect on public health and public safety in South Dakota. RAND is conducting an independent evaluation of 24/7 and I will present findings from published and ongoing analyses. The presentation will also address the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting 24/7 in other jurisdictions.

Beau Kilmer is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, where he co-directs the RAND Drug Policy Research Center. He is also a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. His research lies at the intersection of public health and public safety, with a special emphasis on substance use, illicit markets, crime, and public policy. Some of his current projects include estimating the size of illegal drug markets, assessing the consequences of alternative marijuana policies, measuring the effect of South Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety Program on drunk driving and domestic violence outcomes, and evaluating other innovative programs intended to reduce violence. Kilmer’s research has appeared in leading journals such as Addiction, American Journal of Public Health, Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and his essays have been published by the BBC, CNN, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

The presentations will be held at Deakin Melbourne City Centre at 550 Bourke St, Level 3.

The event will begin at 1.00pm and each presentation will be approximately 60 minutes long, including questions, with a 30 minute tea and coffee break in between sessions.

The seminar is free, all welcome, bookings essential by calling 8413 8413 or by email: info.group

Are you looking to undertake research in the illicit drugs area?

The National Drug Research Institute is seeking a Research Associate to coordinate and undertake the Western Australian arm of the national Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) study recommencing in Perth in April 2014. The position is based at Curtin University’s Health Research Campus in Shenton Park.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 4th April 2014.

Further information and submit an application

The draft program for the 2014 NADA Conference is now available online.

The conference will feature a special keynote panel who will discuss ‘The future of the drug and alcohol sector in Australia’. Facilitated by Gino Vumbaca, Executive Director of the Australian National Council on Drugs, the directors of each of the national drug and alcohol research centres will discuss the strategic directions of their centre and where they see the future of the broader drug and alcohol sector.  The panel includes:

–          Professor Ann Roche, Director, National Centre for Education and Training in Addiction, Flinders University

–          Professor Michael Farrell, Director, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW

–          Professor Steve Allsop, Director, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University

Another keynote panel will focus on the rights and engagement of consumers in drug and alcohol services –  ‘Respect, Rights, and Reflection: consumer involvement in treatment’. The panel includes:

–          John Neville, Consumer Representative

–          Professor Carla Treloar, Deputy Director, Centre for Social Research in Health, University of NSW

–          Theresa Hinton, Researcher and Policy Officer, Social Action and Research Centre, AngliCare, Tasmania

Other keynote presenters at the conference include:

–          Associate Professor Ted Wilkes AO, Chair of the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee, and Associate Professor National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Western Australia.

–          Beau Kilmer, Co-director and Senior Policy Researcher, from the RAND Drug Policy Research Centre and Professor with Pardee RAND Graduate School in California, USA

–          Anneke van Wamel, Research Associate, Program Reintegration, Trimbos-institute at the Netherlands Institute for Mental Health and Addiction in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

–          Professor Anthony Shakeshaft, Deputy Director of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW

Click here to register.

Click here to download the draft program.

Opportunity to promote your service at the NADA conference close on the 31 March. Click here for details.

Enquiries to conference@nada.org.au

AUSTRALIAN INJECTING & ILLICIT DRUG USERS LEAGUE (AIVL)

ADMINISTRATION OFFICER P/T 22.5 HRS PER WEEK

Are you looking for an interesting and varied administration role in a busy, small office environment? Would you like to make a contribution in a leading health promotion charity dedicated to improving the health and human rights of people who use or have used illicit drugs? Are you possibly re-entering the workforce after a period of absence and looking for a fresh start? Or are you possibly just starting out in your administrative career and want the opportunity to challenge and stretch yourself? Then this role may be for you.

The Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) is the peak national organisation representing state and territory peer-based drug user organisations and issues of national significance for people who use illicit drugs. AIVL is recognised for both its national and regional work across a range of issues, including: blood borne virus (hepatitis C and B, HIV/AIDS) prevention, treatment and care; stigma and discrimination; peer education; participation in national research projects in relation to illicit drug use; and issues in relation to drug treatment and drugs policy.

AIVL has a vacancy for part-time (22.5 hours per week) Administration Officer based in the AIVL national office in Canberra. The commencement salary for this position is $45,000 per annum, pro-rata, plus superannuation (currently 9.25%), and with generous salary packaging available. The role involves general office duties including: office reception, making travel arrangements, ordering stationery, organising meetings, preparing and collating meeting papers and ensuring office systems, amenities and equipment are maintained. To be successful in the role you will need computer skills using Microsoft Office and good verbal communication skills as the first point of contact for the organisation. Flexible working arrangements and salary packaging are available by negotiation and training and skills development will be provided as appropriate. The position is for an initial period to 30 June 2014. Ongoing employment will be subject to funding and satisfactory progress in the role.

As a peer-based organisation, AIVL encourages people with personal experience of illicit drug use to apply for this position.

Applicants MUST obtain the position description and selection criteria before submitting an application. The Application Pack should be available on the AIVL website shortly but we have been experiencing difficulties with transitioning to a new site, so you can also email dayles to be sent the Application Pack. If you have any questions prior to applying, please call Dayle Stubbs on (02) 6279 1600.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE AT 5.30PM ON THURSDAY 10TH APRIL 2014.

Dear ADCA members and friends,
Thank you all for your words of encouragement and your efforts to try and overturn the Commonwealth Government’s decision to defund ADCA. While the decision and the process by which it occurred has come under great scrutiny, the decision remains, and your support has been much appreciated during this difficult time.

As ADCA Board Directors, we appreciate that members have received only very limited communication while the organisation has been in the hands of the Administrator. No doubt you would have recently received the report from the Administrator highlighting that full payments to all creditors will be made, and that control of ADCA will soon be handed back to Board Directors under a Deed of Company Arrangement. We expect this to occur in the coming week or so. The Administrator’s main remaining task will then be to sell the portion of the building owned by ADCA and return any surplus funds back to ADCA.

Once control of ADCA is handed back to the Board, it is our intention to hold a meeting of members to consult with you and to answer your questions. This will also give us the opportunity to provide you with an update on our efforts to ensure the long-term future of ADCA, and to gain an understanding of your views. At this stage we are looking to hold the meeting in Canberra, with dial in options for those of us who are interstate. We will circulate a date shortly.

In brief, the ADCA Board are looking to establish a short-term holding arrangement for ADCA with some basic activities that can be achieved without any financial resources or staff. This arrangement will be in place until ADCA’s surplus funds are returned (in approximately 6 to 12 months’ time). In the medium term, we would then be looking to re-secure our membership base, to further consult with you about the priorities for the sector in the next 12 months, and to identify the most appropriate role that ADCA can play on behalf of the AOD sector. In addition we would also seek to identify the most appropriate governance arrangements and constitution to achieve these goals with limited resources.

Our long-term aim is to seek and obtain a sustainable funding base to continue the ongoing mission of ADCA in a more substantial way. This may entail applying for grants through both government and non-government bodies, maintaining membership registrations, and conducting other income generation activities as recommended by our members.

We look forward to speaking with you shortly.