No 10. June 2008
Workforce Development (WFD) is a multi-faceted, systemic approach to building the
capacity and sustainability of the alcohol and other drug (AOD) workforce. The AOD
workforce includes anyone who comes into contact with AOD issues as part of their role,
including medical specialists, nurses, police, teachers, bar staff, managers and health & safety
officers.
Welcome
Welcome to Edition Eight of the DASSA Workforce Development e-Newsletter.
Please feel free to distribute this newsletter to any colleagues. If they wish to receive this
newsletter there are details for joining the list at the bottom.
Note: Some government email addresses will be changing. Please let us know if yours is changed by
sending an email to: DASSA.WFDnewsletter@saugov.sa.gov.au
Conferences
The following conferences have been added to the DASSA website: www.dassa.sa.gov.au. If
you have not accessed the conference list previously there may be conferences of interest that
have previously been added. Local, national and international conferences are included on the
list with links to the conference website or contact details for further information. The
conference list is contained within a PDF but you can navigate by each month by using the
“bookmarks”. (If these are not visible click on the “Bookmark” tab on the LHS of the
document)
South Australian Conferences

National Conference – Making a Difference: Social Inclusion for New and Emerging
Communities, 25-27 June 2008, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, South Australia

31st Australian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy National
Conference: CBT for All? 17-21 September 2008, The Sebel Playford Hotel, Adelaide,
South Australia

Australian Association for Infant Mental Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Perinatal and Infant Mental Health: Angels in the Nursery, 5-8 November
2008, Adelaide Hilton Hotel, Adelaide, South Australia
Australian and New Zealand Conferences

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Annual Symposium, 31 July-1 August
2008, Citigate Central Hotel Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales

Social Inclusion and Exclusion of Culturally Diverse Groups: Strategies and
Experiences, 1-2 August 2008, Launceston Campus University of Tasmania,
Launceston, Tasmania

The 4Rs Conference: Rights  Reconciliation  Respect  Responsibility – Planning for
a socially inclusive future for Australia, 30 September-3 October 2008, University of
Technology Sydney Broadway Campus, Ultimo, New South Wales

International Conference Restoring Balance: Prison Reform, Restorative Justice &
Human Rights, 2-4 October 2008, South Street Campus of Murdoch University, Perth,
Western Australia

Partnerships for Social Inclusion, 15-16 October 2008, Grand Hyatt Melbourne Hotel,
Melbourne, Victoria

Annual Conference of the Australian Sociology Association 2008: Re-imagining
Sociology, 2-5 December 2008, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria,
Australiaruary 2009, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, New South Wales
Overseas Conferences

Future Challenges: Exploring Creative Ways for Mental Health Education and
Training to Bridge the Gap Between Legislation, Policy and Practice, 10-11 September
2008, Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

3rd National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery: Inspiring Leadership,
Changing Lives, Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, 15-17 September 2008,
Tampa, Florida, USA

International Association for Adolescent Health 9th World Congress, 28-30 October
2009, Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia
Events, Education and Training

Dual Diagnosis – Online Course
This national accredited Online Dual Diagnosis course is being offered at GippsTAFE –
Leongatha Campus throughout Australia. Upon successful completion, competencies
gained can be credited towards a Diploma in Mental Health or Alcohol and other Drugs.
For further information and to obtain a course package contact Bronwyn Beach
Ph: 03 5662 6821 or Email: bronwynb@gippstafe.vic.edu.au
Info: http://www.gippstafe.vic.edu.au

Vocational Graduate Diploma Relationship Counselling
This qualification is being offered by the Australian Institute of Social Relations which is
a division of Relationship Australia (SA). Topics include: Relationship counselling &
family domestic violence; Theories and approaches; Working with children &
adolescents; Supervision & self management and Placement.
Info: http://www.socialrelations.edu.au

Viral Hepatitis Conference – Hepatitis B&C At the Cross Roads 20-22 October 2008
Brisbane. For more information and registration www.hepatitis.org.au
DASSA and CMNER (FMC) Short Courses
Flyer and registration/tax invoice forms for the two courses below are available from Jill
Grove.
Email: grove.jill@saugov.sa.gov

Short Course: Introduction to Alcohol, Drugs & Mental Health Co-morbidity, 24
September 2008, Flinders Medical Centre
Aim: to promote awareness and increase understanding of mental health and alcohol and
other drug co-morbidity, and to foster networking and collaboration amongst a diverse
workforce.
Cost: $50.00 (GST included)

Short Course: Advanced Alcohol, Drugs & Mental Health Co-morbidity, 25-26 Sep
2008, Flinders Medical Centre
Competitions

National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre Poster Competition
The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) Poster Competition
gives secondary school students between the ages of 12 and 18 years the opportunity to
showcase their creative talent and express their thoughts and ideas about cannabis and its
impacts upon young people. Students from secondary schools across Australia are invited
to design a poster designed to increase young peoples' understanding of the harms
associated with cannabis and the importance of seeking help if someone they know is
experiencing problems with the drug
Closing date: All entries must be received by 28 July 2008.
http://ncpic.org.au/ncpic/news/ncpicnews/article/ncpic-poster-competition
http://ncpic.org.au/ncpic/news/ncpicnews/article/competitions

National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre NCPIC Short Film
Competition
The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) Short Film
Competition gives young people aged between the ages of 16 and 25 years the
opportunity to showcase their creative talent and express their thoughts and ideas about
cannabis and its impacts upon young people. The film can be in any style or genre (i.e.
drama, comedy, documentary, science-fiction, etc), but must creatively explore the issues
associated with the use of cannabis and the importance of seeking help if someone is
experiencing problems with the drug.
Closing date: All entries must be received by 20 October 2008 and be accompanied by an
entry form.
http://ncpic.org.au/ncpic/news/ncpicnews/article/ncpic-short-film-competition
http://ncpic.org.au/ncpic/news/ncpicnews/article/competitions
Publications
DASSA

Qualitative field study for users of performance and image enhancing drugs,
Dennington V, Finney-Lamb, C., Dillon, P., Larance, B., Vial R., Copeland, R.,
Newcombe D., Ali R. DASSA Monograph No. 25
This report presents findings from a collaborative research project undertaken in 2006 by
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA), National Drug and Alcohol
Research Centre (NDARC), and Streetwize Communications. The project consisted of a
qualitative field study of users and key informants on the use of performance and image
enhancing drugs (PIEDs) and was funded by the Australian Government Department of
Health and Ageing Drug Strategy Branch. The aim of the study was to explore the
motivations, behaviours, risks and physical and psychological harms associated with the
use of PIEDs.
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Monograph_25.pdf
Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD)

National Corrections Drug strategy 2006–2009, National Drugs Strategy 2008
The National Corrections Drug Strategy 2006–2009 is closely linked to, and seeks to
complement Australia’s current National Drug Strategy 2004–2009. This strategy has
been developed with the endorsement and support of the Ministerial Council on Drug
Strategy, Corrective Service Ministers’ Conference, Corrective Services Administrators’
Conference, Community and Disability Services Ministers’ Advisory Council,
Australasian Juvenile Justice Administrators, the Australian National Council on Drugs
and the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs to provide a framework for a
coordinated, integrated approach to addressing drug-related issues in Australian adult
correctional and juvenile justice facilities and related services.
The strategy can be downloaded at
http://www.ancd.org.au/publications/pdf/national_corrections_drug_strategy.pdf
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)

Australian Drug Trends 2007: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System
(IDRS), Australian Drug Trends Series No. 1 E. Black, A. Roxburgh, L. Degenhardt, R.
Bruno, G. Campbell, B. de Graaff, J. Fetherston, S. Kinner, C. Moon, B. Quinn, M.
Richardson, N. Sindicich & N. White
The IDRS monitors the price, purity, availability and patterns of use of heroin,
methamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis. It is designed to be sensitive to trends,
providing data in a timely manner, rather than describing issues in detail.
http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/NDARCWeb.nsf/resources/DRUG_TRENDS_1_NAT/$file/DT001
.PDF
The jurisdictional reports from each State and Territory can be found at
http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/NDARCWeb.nsf/page/EDRSJurisdictional

Australian Trends in Ecstasy and Related Drug Markets 2007: Findings from the
Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS), Australian Drug Trends Series
No. 10, E. Black, M. Dunn, L. Degenhardt, G. Campbell, J. George, S. Kinner, A.
Matthews, B. Quinn, A. Roxburgh, A. Urbancic-Kenny and N. White
The Australian Drug Trends in Ecstasy and Related Drug Markets 2007 report presents
the findings from the fifth year in which data have been collected in all states and
territories in Australia on the markets for ecstasy and related drugs (ERDs). The Ecstasy
and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS; formerly the Party Drugs Initiative, or
PDI) is the most comprehensive and detailed study of ERD markets in Australia.
http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/NDARCWeb.nsf/resources/DRUG_TRENDS_3/$file/DT010.pdf
The jurisdictional reports from each State and Territory can be found at
http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/NDARCWeb.nsf/page/EDRSJurisdictional
Others: Mixed

Global State of Harm Reduction 2008: Mapping the response to drug-related HIV and
hepatitis C epidemics
This major new report consolidates existing data on drug use, HIV and hepatitis C,
documents harm reduction policies and practices worldwide, and records the activities of
relevant multi-lateral agencies (such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime).
This report is designed to be an advocacy and reference tool for a wide range of
audiences – including international donor organisations, multilateral and bilateral
agencies, civil society and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), organisations of
people who use drugs, researchers and the media.
http://www.ihra.net/May2008#IHRALaunch%E2%80%98GlobalStateofHarmReduction2
008%E2%80%99Report

Mental health and adolescent cannabis use, Prepared by Susannah O'Brien and Wendy
Swift from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre for the New South Wales.
Dept. of Education and Training
This report summarises the research findings on the effects of cannabis use on mental
health. Its specific aims are to:

describe the patterns of cannabis use among young Australians

summarise the research on the association between cannabis use and mental health
problems

summarise the research on the most plausible explanations of the association
between cannabis use and mental health problems (e.g. does one cause the other?)

identify some of the implications of these research findings for intervention and
further research.
http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/schoolsdrug/learning/yrk12focusareas/
druged/mhcannabis_rpt.pdf
Resources and Websites

‘Amphetamines and your body’
This is the third in a series of brochures that show the effects of drugs on the body.
"Amphetamines and your body" is an easy to understand brochure with an illustrated
picture showing the effects of amphetamines on the human body. The easy to read design
makes it ideal for young people and low literacy audiences.
http://www.adf.org.au/store/article.asp?ContentID=Amphetandbody757
Copies can be ordered through the ADF resource catalogue or online at
http://www.bookshop.adf.org.au.

'The Oasis’
'The Oasis', a documentary about youth homelessness based around life at the Salvation
Army's Oasis youth refuge, which captured more than 1.1 million viewers across
Australia, is headed to every secondary school in the nation as part of a bold initiative to
place social issues on the school curriculum in a way that will make an impact with
teenagers. 'The Oasis' captures the human face of the crisis in teen homelessness and the
gritty reality of drugs, violence, criminality and uncertainty that is part of homelessness
for more than 46,000 young people every night. It will be accompanied by a study guide
for use in secondary school studies in media, social studies and health. DVDs of the
documentary are being distributed to every secondary school in the nation. It will be
accompanied by a study guide for use in secondary school studies in media, social studies
and health. Further information, including a study guide and obtaining a copy of this
documentary is available from the Oasis website.
http://www.theoasismovie.com.au/om/index.php

Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) Mental Health Website
New mental health website for veterans, current ADF members & their families. The
Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has a website dedicated to maximising mental
health. Targeting veterans, their partners, carers, sons and daughters, and current serving
Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. The website has information on common
mental health conditions, as well as information that takes into account the uniqueness of
the veteran experience; services that are available to help cope with a mental illness;
DVA mental health news and event information; and links to other mental health
resources.
http://at-ease.dva.gov.au/www/html/7-home-page.asp

Exploring the social history of drugs – legal and illicit – in Australia: Exhibition at
The Melbourne Museum
From smoking cannabis for asthma relief to using opium-laced syrups to calm teething
infants, this insightful exhibition examines Australia’s drug taking history. This
exhibition explores the social history of drug use in Australia, highlighting major drugrelated events that have impacted on its society. The exhibition uses images, objects and
film to highlight key episodes in Australia’s drug taking history and explores our lovehate relationship with drugs, revisiting pivotal moments in Australia's drug-taking
history. From sly-grog to safe injecting, Bex to the billboard group BUGAUP, opium
dens to the Aquarius Festival and rave nation.
A travelling exhibition from the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.
http://museumvictoria.com.au/Drugs-Social-History

Multilingual Fact Sheets on Mental Illness
Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) is funded by the Federal Department of
Health and Ageing in Australia to promote mental health awareness and suicide
prevention to people from non-English speaking backgrounds. Multicultural Mental
Health Australia has just released a new series of multilingual fact sheets on mental
illness called the 'What Is...' series. MMHA worked with Vision Australia to adapt these
for the blind and those with a vision impairment. The topics covered include depression,
anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They have translated these into over 20
languages such as Arabic, Farsi, Vietnamese and Greek.
http://www.mmha.org.au/mmha-products/fact-sheets

‘Drink too much, it gets ugly’
TV campaign DVD is available to borrow from the Library, Drug and Alcohol Services
South Australia , 161 Greenhill Road, Parkside Phone: 8274 3361 or Email:
libraryDASSA@saugov.sa.gov.au
The information in this newsletter is provided for the reader’s convenience and does
not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation of any third party program,
product or service. The views and opinions expressed by any third party do not
necessarily represent the views of DASSA.
If you wish to promote an education and training event through the newsletter please
send the information to the email address below. The information needs to be brief:
Title, date/time, venue, presenters, organisation hosting the event, short description
(one to two sentences) and website or contact details for further information. No
attachments. Events may not be able to be included due to space, timing of the event,
and relevance to AOD workers or not based on evidence/best practice.
Send an email to DASSA.WFDnewsletter@saugov.sa.gov.au
To remove your name from the list or to receive this newsletter send an email to the
address above and please include contact name, organisation and a contact telephone
number
Jill Grove
Senior Education Officer
DASSA
Ph: 08 8274 3306
grove.jill@saugov.sa.gov.au