In the September 2015 Edition
ATODA News / Workers Group / ACT Policy / National Policy / Sector
Development / Newsletters / Resources / Training / Service
Delivery / Conferences / Funding Opportunities / Consumer Participation / Allied
Sector / Employment / Media
News from ATODA
ACT ATOD Qualification Strategy (QS) – Semester 2, 2015 (for registered participants only)
The QS aims to ensure the development and maintenance of a competent and professional ACT
alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) workforce. It also aims to ensure that all workers have a shared
minimum knowledge and skill base.
In Semester 2, 2015 the first two units of the 4 Core Competencies (4CC) will be offered:
 CHCAOD402B: Work effectively in the AOD sector to be held on 7 – 9 September 2015
 CHCAOD406E: Work with clients who are intoxicated to be held on 9 – 11 November 2015
Time: 9am – 5pm
Venue: Meeting Room 6, Griffin Centre, 20 Genge St, Canberra City
For further information: See the information package, or contact Julie Robert on julie@atoda.org.au,
call (02) 6255 4070, or visit the ATODA website
AOD Specialist First Aid Training
The ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services Online Directory is in the process of being updated
and Version 13 of the Directory will be available by the end of the year. This will also include an updated
quick reference guide of services, full Directory and map of the ACT ATOD programs and services.
For more information: Email Julie@atoda.org.au, call (02) 6255 4070, or visit the Directory website
(http://directory.atoda.org.au/).
See other ATODA news throughout the ebulletin.
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ATOD Workers Groups
The ACT ATOD Workers Group met on 3 September 2015, and are progressing work across a range of
areas. If you would like to get involved, please review the information below and liaise with the Workers
Group representative from your agency. Activities / discussions include:
 Hepatitis ACT provided an update on the bleach sachets currently available at the Alexander
Maconochie Centre. They drew attention to research demonstrating the effectiveness of bleach
(when used properly) at disinfecting syringes contaminated with hepatitis C.
Seehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4438897/ for more information.
 Toora Women Inc provided information on the WIREDD Day Program.
Seehttp://www.toora.org.au/#!wiredd/c1vyy for more information. The Workers Group
welcomed Rebecca Wood who has taken up the role of AOD Clinical Specialist at Toora
Women Inc.
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Rebecca Wood has been nominated by the Workers Group to be appointed to the ATODA
Board at the upcoming AGM.
ATODA will be offering in-services for members to provide an opportunity for the workers in
member agencies to receive an update on ATODA work and discuss and inform the work of
ATODA.
ATODA provided an update on the launch of the Independent Evaluation of the Implementing
Expanded Naloxone Availability in the ACT. For more information
seehttp://health.act.gov.au/sites/default/files//Naloxone%20Evaluation%20Report%20FINAL_A
ugust%202015.pdf
For further information about the ACT ATOD Workers Group visit the ATODA website or contact Julie
Robert, ATODA on Julie@atoda.org.au
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ACT Policy
Secondary Supply Laws Introduced in the ACT
ACT Government
The laws prohibit the supply of alcohol to children by anyone other than a parent or guardian or
someone authorised by a parent or guardian on private property or land. The laws also focus on
‘irresponsible’ supply of alcohol, with a fine of up to $3,000 for those who provide alcohol to young
people irresponsibly. Attorney-General Simon Corbell said the line between responsible and
irresponsible service of alcohol by parents was a clear one. “There is much evidence about the impact
of alcohol on brain development,” Mr Corbell said. The laws will come into effect within the next 12
months, allowing time for an education campaign to take place.
For more information: See the media release, the Canberra Times article or
emailAndrew.benson@act.gov.au
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National Policy
Federal cuts to drug and alcohol services hurting those in need
Simon Corbell MLA, Minister for Health
ACT Health Minister Simon Corbell has called on the Federal Government to consider the impact of cuts
to front line drug and alcohol services in Australia.
Mr Corbell raised the more than $790 million worth of Federal Government cuts to flexible health funds,
including essential drug and alcohol services at the COAG Health Council in Darwin today.
“The federal minster needs to explain what impacts the $793 million worth of cuts will have on the ACT
and the rest of Australia,” Mr Corbell said.
“In light of the Federal Government's $20 million media campaign highlighting the challenges with drugs
like ICE, the Federal Government needs to explain what impact the cuts to the flexible funding program
will have on front line drug treatment.
“I specifically raised my concerns following representations from both the Alcohol Tobacco and Other
Drug Association and the Public Health Association of Australia, who both are very concerned about
what these cuts mean to services.
Read the media release here
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Sector Development, Events and Activities
8th Annual Comorbidity Day
CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn
The Comorbidity Day enables Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug and Mental Health Services in the ACT
the opportunity to come together to showcase services and focus on strengthening interagency referrals
and collaboration. This year the format of the day has been changed. Between 11am-1pm interested
agencies are invited to present information about their service(s) and initiatives. This may be in the form
of a case-study or a short 5-15 minute presentation on successes or challenges faced in supporting
individuals with multiple needs and comorbid conditions. The aim of this activity is to promote
information sharing and learn from one another. This will be followed by lunch and networking in the
Blackfriars Rose Garden between 1-2pm where agencies are invited to bring information and marketing
materials to exchange with other service providers.
Organisations interested in presenting are asked to submit an expression of interest to Abbey Higginson
to abbey.higginson@catholiccare.cg.org.au by 25 September 2015.
For more information: See the flyer, or call (02) 6163 7625
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Newsletters, Magazines and Updates
The Loop
National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
The Loop contains information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders such as National and New
Zealand news, resources, latest research and up coming events.
For more information: See the latest issue (http://www.nofasd.org.au/the-loop-v2/issue-24-the-loopaugust-2015)
InTouch
Public Health Association Australia (PHAA)
Intouch is the monthly newsletter of the PHAA summarising public health news and events in Australia.
For more information: See the latest issue
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Resources and Publications
Women Want to Know
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE)
Women Want to Know was officially launched by FARE on 1 July 2014 in response to research which
indicated that many pregnant women weren’t receiving much information, or were hearing conflicted
messages, about alcohol consumption.
Women Want to Know aims to overcome these barriers by educating medical professionals about the
effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and encouraging them to relay this information to their
patients to ensure that women are fully informed.
For more information: Visit the FARE website, email info@fare.org.au or call (02) 6122 8600
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Training and Professional Development
ACT Comorbidity Bus Tours
ATODA, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and the Youth Coalition of the ACT
The Comorbidity Bus Tour seeks to increase the capacity of frontline workers to support people
experiencing co-occurring ATOD and mental health issues (comorbidity). The Comorbidity Bus Tour
visits a variety of services in the ACT from the alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD), mental health
and youth sectors.
The next Comorbidity Bus Tour for 2015 will be Tour C on 7 October 2015.
Cost: Members of the Youth Coalition, ATODA or MHCC ACT $50, $60 Non-member or nongovernment organisations, $70 Government workers
For more information: Visit ATODA's website, email bustours@youthcoalition.net or call (02) 6247
3540
August - September 2015 Training and Professional Development Calendar
ATODA, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and the Youth Coalition of the ACT
The ACT Training and Professional Development Calendar collates training and professional
development opportunities for workers in the alcohol, tobacco and other drug, youth, mental health,
family support and community sectors.
To get the August - September 2015 training calendar, click here.
To include your training in the next calendar, email info@youthcoalition.net or call the Youth Coalition
on (02) 6247 3540
Accidental Counsellor Training
Lifeline ACT
Accidental Counsellor is a two-day workshop that provides participants with fundamental skills in crisis
support counselling and dealing with difficult situations. The course also covers topics such as dealing
with people who are angry, highly distressed, drug and alcohol affected or experiencing effects of a
mental illness.
Date: 12 & 13 October, 3 & 4 November, 1 & 2 December 2015
Cost: $450 general, $400 not-for-profit organisations
For more information: See the brochure, visit the Lifeline ACT website,
email training@actlifeline.org.au, or call (02) 6204 6402
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Lifeline Canberra
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop which aims to improve participants suicide awareness and
prevention skills. The course is presented by LivingWorks-accredited facilitators, who use internationally
standardised resources and materials. Participants are trained to recognise when a person may be at
risk and how to respond to improve the immediate and long-term safety of the person at risk.
Date: 26 & 27 October, 7 & 8 December 2015
Time: 9am – 5pm
For more information: See the flyer, email training@act.lifeline.org.au, or call (02) 6204 6402
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Service Delivery
Kicking Goals Program
Directions
The Kicking Goals Program is a psycho-educational group for people who are pre-contemplative about
their substance use. It comprises of a 3-session program, aimed at providing education around the
impact of substance use and strategies to change. Date: Group runs on Fridays
Time: 10:30am – 12pm
Venue: Level 6, Cosmopolitan Centre Bowes St, Woden
For more information: Visit the Directions website, email reception@directionsact.com, or call (02)
6132 4800
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Conferences and Symposiums
2015 National Cannabis Conference
National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC)
The conference includes a one-day workshop, and two days of international and local speakers.The
event will include the latest research on emerging areas, and papers on various perspectives of
cannabis legalisation policy.
Date: 7 - 9 October 2015
Venue: Melbourne Rydges Hotel, Melbourne
Cost: by 6 September $499, Concession $250; after 6 September $599, Concession $350
For more information: See the program, visit the conference website
International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users 2015
International Network for Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU)
This symposium is the leading International conference focused on the management of hepatitis among
substance users. It attracts delegates including health professionals (including doctors, nurses and
allied health), researchers, community organisations, people who use drugs and policy makers.
This year’s conference will focus on issues related to:
1. HCV epidemiology, screening, assessment
2. HCV treatment and care
3. HCV treatment access and implementation
Date: 7 - 9 October 2015
Venue: Sydney Manly Novotel Pacific, Sydney
Cost: $570 by 1 October 2015, $620 after 1 Oct 2015
For more information: Visit the website, see the program
DPMP Symposium
Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP)
This year the annual Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP) symposium will be held in conjunction with
the annual Drug Trends Conference. The DPMP Symposium will consider drug policy from multiple
perspectives - treatment, harm reduction and law enforcement - with papers on policy evaluations and
policy processes and examination of the effects of policy development, design and implementation on
drug-related harms.
Date: 14 October 2015
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Venue: Customs House, Sydney
Cost: $220 DPMP Symposium, $320 both Drug Trends Conference and DPMP Symposium
For more information: Visit the website, or call (02) 9385 0167
The Annual National Drug Trends Conference
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
The National Drug Trends Conference will present recent findings in illicit drug use, markets and related
harms across Australia and internationally.
Convened by Australia’s largest drug monitoring systems, the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) and
the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS), the one-day conference will include the first
release of the 2015 findings.
Date: 14 October 2015
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Venue: Customs House, Sydney
Cost: $220 DPMP Symposium (see above), $320 both Drug Trends Conference and DPMP Symposium
For more information: Visit the website, or call (02) 9385 0333
24th International Harm Reduction Conference
Harm Reduction International, Malaysian AIDS Council
The four day event will bring together up to 1,000 people from 70 countries to participate in a diverse
and exciting program of panel discussions, training workshops, group discussions and film/video
presentations.
This year’s theme – ‘Call for Leadership’ – reflects the urgent need to address critical issues faced by
the harm reduction response.
Date: 18 – 21 October 2015
Venue: Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Cost: £495: Standard/low & middle income; £595 Standard/high income; after 1 October 2015: £899
For more information: Visit the Conference website, see the program, email nigel.kay@ihra.net
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Grants and Funding Opportunities
ACT Women’s Safety Grants
ACT Government
2015-16 ACT Women’s Safety Grants Program is an ACT Government initiative to advance the
objectives and priorities of the ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy 20112017 (the Strategy).
A total amount of $310,000 (GST exclusive) is available in the 2015-16 funding round across all funding
categories:
 Early Intervention Projects
 Engagement Projects
 Diverse Experiences of Violence Projects
Closing date: 18 September 2015
For more information: Visit the ACT Government website, email women@act.gov.au, or call (02) 6205
3614
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Consumer Participation
Consumer Participation in the Australian Alcohol and Other Drug Sector
Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD)
This is a background paper for an Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) roundtable on service
user participation in the Australian alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment sector. With a focus on
participation in the AOD treatment sector, the report covers principles, methods of participation,
organisational approaches, barriers and facilitators and ideas for discussion.
For more information: See the report
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Youth, Mental Health and Allied Sector
Mental Health Week & Wellbeing Expo
Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT)
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo is all about promoting positive mental health and wellbeing
within the community. It also brings service providers working in the health and community sectors
together to showcase their services, network and celebrate the work that we do. It's a great way to find
about services in your local area.
Date: 6 October 2015
Time: 10am – 2pm
Venue: Woden Southern Cross Club 92-96 Corinna St, Phillip
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit the website (http://www.mentalhealthweekact.org/), email mhccact.org.au or
call (02) 6249 7756
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Employment
CAHMA Naloxone Project Trainer
Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA)
The Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA) is looking for a part-time (30
hours per week, or 0.8 FTE) Naloxone Project Trainer.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. In 2011, CAHMA, ACT
Health, the Alcohol Tobacco & Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) and a multi-disciplinary group of
stakeholders initiated Australia’s first take-home naloxone program.
The ACT program involves comprehensive opioid overdose management training and the prescription
and supply of take-home naloxone to eligible participants – people at risk of opioid overdose.
The position of Naloxone trainer is responsible for furthering this innovative project, and the trainer will
work closely with the CAHMA manager and a worker responsible for undertaking strategic work to
embed the naloxone program across the ACT in a range of settings.
For more information: See the Naloxone Trainer Application Pack, or email amym@aivl.org.au
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ACT Media
This section includes ATOD related media from or relevant to the ACT
ATODA in the Media
Alcohol-related news
Drug-related news
Tobacco-related news
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