May PD Opportunities

Some of the professional development opportunities available in May

Read – professional reading

Wray, T. B., et al. (2016) Systematic review of interventions to reduce problematic alcohol use in men who have sex with men. Drug Alcohol Rev, 35: 148–157.

doi: 10.1111/dar.12271.

Arjunan, P., Poder, N., Welsh, K., Bellear, L., Heathcote, J., Wright, D., ... & Wen, L. M. (2015). Smoking among Aboriginal adults in Sydney, Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia.

http://www.publish.csiro.au/index.cfm?act=view_file&file_id=HE15020.pdf

Wilkinson, C., Allsop, S., and Dare, J. (2016) Alcohol, ageing and Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev, 35: 232–235.

doi: 10.1111/dar.12301.

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting.
February’s journal club will be presented by the Creating Options team.
Date: 24^th May, 12.30pm AEST

Evaluating Social Programs

Learn why evaluations matter and how they can be used to rigorously measure the social impact of development programs. This practical course will provide a thorough understanding of randomized evaluations, with pragmatic step-by-step training for conducting one’s own evaluation. Through a combination of lectures and case studies from real randomized evaluations, the course will focus on the benefits and methods of randomization, choosing an appropriate sample size, and common threats and pitfalls to the validity of an experiment. While the course is centered around the why, how, and when of randomized evaluations, it will also impart insights on the importance of a needs assessment, measuring outcomes effectively, quality control, and monitoring methods that are useful for all kinds of evaluations. 
When: 2^nd May         
Duration: 5 weeks, 4hr/week
https://www.edx.org/course/evaluating-social-programs-mitx-jpal101x-3#!

Attend - conferences

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Conference

This inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Conference gathers together experts and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the wider community from across the country to Alice Springs, the heart of the Aboriginal nations.  Over two days those gathered will exchange learnings, share lived experiences, build knowledge and inspire one another as to how we can best strengthen communities to tackle this entrenched tragedy.
When: 5 – 6 May 2016
Time: Welcome Reception - Wednesday 4 May 2016 5:00pm – Friday 6 May 2016 4:30pm
Where: Alice Springs Convention Centre, Alice Springs NT
Cost: $770
http://www.atsispep.sis.uwa.edu.au/natsispc-2016

Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference

The Conference, hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, will include workshops, presentations and forums dedicated to sharing skills and understanding in the treatment of all addictive disorders, including alcohol and other drugs, behavioural addictions, and the emerging field of online compulsive behaviour in both adults and children.
When: 19-20^th May
Where: Gold Coast
Cost: $475 - $975.  See website for details
http://addictionaustralia.org.au/

2016 National Hepatitis Health Promotion Conference

The conference will explore the future health promotion response to viral hepatitis in Australia and look at how the sector workforce can maximise engagement and support people affected by viral hepatitis.  The primary aim of the National Hepatitis Health Promotion Conference is to support the community-based viral hepatitis sector workforce to increase their knowledge and skills in order to effectively reach and engage with identified priority populations, and to plan, implement and evaluate successful viral hepatitis health promotion projects.
When: 19^th – 20^th May
Where: Melbourne
Cost: $250
http://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/health-promotion-conference-2016/

Listen – podcasts, webinars

MindOUT! Webinar

This series of webinars critically engages participants on topics of LGBTI+ mental health and suicide prevention.  Topic for May is to be announced.  In the meantime, catch-up on the seminars held earlier this year
When: 10^th May
http://lgbtihealth.org.au/mindout-webinars/

Insight Webinars

Wednesdays at 10am
http://insightqld.org/webinars/

Mass Media for Preventing Illicit Drug Use

Cameron Francis Social Worker, Dovetail 
Have you met Stoner Sloth?  Seen Faces of Meth?  Lost your standards?  This talk will focus on the effectiveness of mass media campaigns for preventing illicit drug use by providing an overview of the research and some of the potential harms they cause.  The presentation will conclude by providing an overview of ‘what really works’ in preventing illicit substance use.
When: 4^th May

Hep C: Opportunities and Challenges for Treatment 

Dr Paul Clark Staff Gastroenterologist, P.A. Hospital 
Dr Paul Clark is a hepatologist providing in- and outpatient care for patients with liver disease.  In this presentation Dr Clark will provide an update on the rollout of daclatasvir and sofosbuvir regimens for Hep C including practical information and advice for AOD practitioners on how to best assess, communicate, advocate and plan for clients’ access to this new treatment.
When: 11^th May

Managing Persistent Pain 

Joyce McSwan Persistent Pain Program Manager / Clinical Pharmacist Gold Coast Primary Health Network 
This presentation will provide an update on how collaborative partnerships with primary healthcare professionals can significantly improve patient outcomes in relation to persistent pain management.  The session will also explore some case studies to demonstrate practical information on how to best assess, support and navigate a client’s persistent pain condition with the focus of achieving sustainable care.
When: 18^th May

Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorders (SIPD) 

Assoc. Prof Leanne Hides Deputy Director - Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research (CYSAR), QUT 
Substance-induced psychotic disorders (SIPD) are an under-recognised disorder that occurs in 30-50% of individuals presenting to mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services.   This presentation will review the research evidence for SIPD and discuss the clinical implications for identifying and treating SIPD in mental health and AOD settings
When: 25^th May

New(ish) tools for AOD workers

Some new tools that may be of use to AOD workers

Slots and shots: Gambling resources for AOD workers
Launched in November last year, Slots and Shots is a much needed suite of gambling resource for alcohol and other drug workers. It contains a tri-fold client handout, waiting room poster, a report, and a wallet sized quick reference reminder for clinicians.
The resource was developed to help AOD workers address the complex problems often experienced by their clients, and highlights the similarities between problem gambling and substance misuse.
Many AOD clients present with co-occurring substance and gambling problems. For every client with a serious gambling problem, 5 to 10 other people are affected. As such, there is a pressing need to strengthen AOD workers’ skills and understanding of gambling, so they may respond appropriately to client needs and improve client outcomes.
NCETA are currently working on an online training package for clinicians due for roll out 2017.
http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/?cID=647


ReachOut - The Toolbox
ReachOut have collected a range of apps for health and wellbeing that have been endorsed by professionals and reviewed by under 25y/o (their target group).
Apps are sorted into catagories including:

• Health and Fitness
• Being independent
• Relationships and helping others
• Thoughts and emotions
• Dealing with tough times

http://au.reachout.com/sites/thetoolbox

Buckinghamshire Mephedrone Handbook 
This pack is intended as a guide for drug workers and other professionals working with mephedrone (Mcat, Meph, Meow Meow) users. It also includes a section that focuses on novel psychoactive substances (NPS), the chemical families these compounds belong to, and the appropriate treatment response that could be tailored for people who experience problems with these drugs.  This handbook has been published in the UK, but is still applicable to Australia.
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/3523884/Bucks-Mephedrone-Handbook.pdf


Working with substance use: Manchester Metropolitan University
A UK website providing online resources for health and social care professionals. The aim is to provide you with a basic understanding of a number of substance-related topics to inform and develop your practice.  They include presentations, film clips from experts (both service users and professionals), animations, individual and group exercises, and practice scenarios to help apply your learning. They also offer suggestions for future study and personal development.
These resources can be explored in one go or dipped into for information on specific areas. They can be used for individual or group self-study and continuing professional development, and they can be used in teaching or learning by academics and trainers.
Resources are included for working with significant others, working with comorbidity, approaches for working with substance use, assessment tools, and more.
https://workingwithsubstanceuse.wordpress.com/

March PD opportunities

A few PD opportunities for February.  If you'd like to add something be sure to comment or email the library

Write – presentations and papers

17th International Mental Health Conference

Authors or organisations interested in submitting a paper at the 17^th International Mental Health Conference in Gold Coast, QLD from 10 – 12 August 2016 are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words. “Guiding the Change” is the theme and direction for the 2016 Conference.

Conference topics include:

- Indigenous Wellbeing

- Creating Workplaces that are Healthy, Productive and Enhance Recovery

- The Importance of Mental Health Carers

- e-health, Innovative Uses of Technology and Social Media

- Research, Education and Case Studies

- Self-Harm, Suicide and Survival

- Clinical Disorder Updates

- From Childhood to Adolescents to Adulthood – The Journey of Life

Submissions due: 22^nd April

http://anzmh.asn.au/conference/  

Read – professional reading

Lee, N. K., Cameron, J. and Jenner, L. (2015), A systematic review of interventions for co-occurring substance use and borderline personality disorders. Drug and Alcohol Review, 34: 663–672.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12267/abstract

Wilson, A. J., Bonevski, B., Dunlop, A., Shakeshaft, A., Tzelepis, F., Walsberger, S., Farrell, M., Kelly, P. J., and Guillaumier, A. (2016) ‘The lesser of two evils’: A qualitative study of staff and client experiences and beliefs about addressing tobacco in addiction treatment settings. Drug Alcohol Rev, 35: 92–101. doi: 10.1111/dar.12322.

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting.
February’s journal club will be presented by the CAFSS Annerley
Date: 21^st March, 12.30pm AEST

Working in teams: A practical guide – online course

Free online course from the University of Queensland. Teamwork is an essential component of most professional activities in the modern world. But what makes an effective team? This course is an introduction to teamwork skills for all disciplines that will help you improve your own performance and that of your team. It covers why teams are important, the roles of individuals in a team, systems and processes for effective teamwork and communication, and methods for addressing team conflict. Throughout the course you will be provided with a range of tools and templates that you will be able to use with any team.
When: starts 15^th March
Duration: Self-paced, 5-6hr/wk
https://www.edx.org/course/working-teams-practical-guide-uqx-teams101x#!

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Podcast - Nancy Roget: Around the Next Curve: Using Technology in Addiction Social Work Practice

The literature on the use of tele-mental health is more than 50 years old, yet its integration into clinical social work practice has lagged. In this episode, Nancy Roget illustrates how technology can be incorporated into clinical social work by using applications being developed to address the treatment and recovery needs of substance addicted individuals. Additionally, Ms. Roget explores the of use of technology in clinical supervision.
Duration: 38mins
http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=184

Sexuality, Gender, Spirituality, and Mental Health – webinar recording

An overview of the importance of spirituality when addressing the mental health concerns of the LGBTI community. Matt will look at some different ways of understanding spirituality, the difference between spirituality and religion, the impact of spiritual abuse on the LGBTI community, and how to incorporate spirituality into the helping professions.
Duration: 1hr
http://bit.ly/20YrWRB

InSight seminar series

Wednesdays, 10am – 11am AEST - Topics lists below

http://insightqld.org/webinars/

The Queensland AOD Landscape 2016

Jeff Buckley, Insight; Rebecca MacBean, QNADA; and Linda Hipper, AOD SIG
Finding it hard to keep track of all of the recent AOD strategies, action plans, policy developments and funding announcements?  This presentation will provide you with a simple overview of the currently AOD landscape in Queensland and beyond including key policy directions, funding streams and upcoming workforce and sector events for 2016.
When: 2^nd March

Impacts of Meth/amphetamine Use in Rural and Remote Queensland

Dr Jan Robertson, Research Fellow, James Cook University
This seminar will focus on the impacts and implications for practice in relation to meth/amphetamine use in rural and remote Queensland using results of recent interviews and surveys with front-line service providers, community members and stakeholders undertaken across northern and north-east Queensland.
When: 9^th March

Working with Families

Tony Trimingham, CEO Family Drug Support
This talk will provide an overview of the key principles underpinning good practice with family members of people who use substances including methamphetamine. What can practitioners do to better understand and support the partners, parents, siblings and loved ones living the “day-to-day” with someone experiencing substance dependence?
When: 16^th March

What is drug checking?

Jeff Buckley, Insight
There have been renewed calls for the introduction of drug-checking (aka ‘pill-testing’) at music following a spate of drug related deaths in Australia over the past 12 months.  This presentation will provide a brief overview of the different drug checking programs operating around the world, and the pros and cons of each testing technology available.  
When: 23^rd March

February PD Post

A few PD opportunities for February.  If you'd like to add something be sure to comment or email the library

Write – presentations and papers

The Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference

Abstract submissions are now open for the Addiction 2016 conference. Oral presentations, poster presentations and workshops are available as presentation options.  Authors or organisations interested in submitting a paper or presenting a workshop are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words outlining the aims, contents and conclusions of their paper or presentation; or about their intended role in a workshop.
Topics include:
Prevention & early intervention
Treatment approaches
Recovery
Research and policy
Working with vulnerable groups: Indigenous, youth, rural populations
Mental Health Impacts: decision making and drug use
Methamphetamine: Impact of ICE
Drug Addictions: trends and misuse
Custodial and forensic settings: programs and services
Addiction professional: support and training
Addictive disorders and attachment
Behavioural addictions: gaming, gambling, sex, online
Submissions due: 5^th February, 2016
http://addictionaustralia.org.au/

Read – professional reading

Kelley, M. L., Bravo, A. J., Braitman, A. L., Lawless, A. K., & Lawrence, H. R. (2016). Behavioral couples treatment for substance use disorder: secondary effects on the reduction of risk for child abuse. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 62, 10-19.

http://www.journalofsubstanceabusetreatment.com/article/S0740-5472(15)00292-5/pdf

 Wilson, A. J., Bonevski, B., Dunlop, A., Shakeshaft, A., Tzelepis, F., Walsberger, S., Farrell, M., Kelly, P. J., and Guillaumier, A. (2016) ‘The lesser of two evils’: A qualitative study of staff and client experiences and beliefs about addressing tobacco in addiction treatment settings. Drug Alcohol Rev, 35: 92–101.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12322/epdf 

 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Ice training for frontline workers

This online package has been developed by NCETA and contains 7 modules.  You are able to sign up and log in, and the modules are self-paced
Topics covered include:
Information about crystal methamphetamine and its use and harms
How crystal methamphetamine use affects people and communities
Worker safety and preventing, managing and recovering from crystal methamphetamine-related critical incidents
Legal issues
Using crystal methamphetamine with alcohol and other drugs
Communicating with and supporting people who use crystal methamphetamine
Preventing and intervening in crystal methamphetamine use
Organisational responses to crystal methamphetamine.
https://nceta.androgogic.com.au/index.php

Understanding Drugs and Addiction

King’s College London is offering this free online course again this year.  The course explores how addiction develops and includes materials from some of the key experts in this field
Duration: 6 weeks – 4hr/wk
Enrol by: 7^th March
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/understanding-drugs-and-addiction

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting.
February’s journal club will be presented by the library
Date: 23rd Feb, 12.30pm AEST


Listen – podcasts, webinars

Everyone is watching – podcast

Radio National’s “All in the mind” program. Joel Werner discusses with psychiatrist Dr Joel Gold the “Truman show delusion” and the impact of popular culture on mental health
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/the-truman-show/6740292

E-Mental Health in Practice

Readings, webinars and resources for allied health professionals about using e-mental health resources. Members of professional bodies can accrue CPD points for attendance  
Includes:
Decisional charts
Practice models
Navigating e-mental health online
The evidence behind e-mental health
Duration: Webinars are 30mins
http://www.emhprac.org.au/resources/allied-health-professionals/

January PD post

Find below some of the great PD opportunities available in January.  Comment or email the library if you have anything to add.

Write – presentations and papers

The Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference

Abstract submissions are now open for the Addiction 2016 conference. Oral presentations, poster presentations and workshops are available as presentation options.  Authors or organisations interested in submitting a paper or presenting a workshop are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words outlining the aims, contents and conclusions of their paper or presentation; or about their intended role in a workshop.
Topics include:

• Prevention & early intervention
• Treatment approaches
• Recovery
• Research and policy
• Working with vulnerable groups: Indigenous, youth, rural populations
• Mental Health Impacts: decision making and drug use
• Methamphetamine: Impact of ICE
• Drug Addictions: trends and misuse
• Custodial and forensic settings: programs and services
• Addiction professional: support and training
• Addictive disorders and attachment
• Behavioural addictions: gaming, gambling, sex, online

Submissions due: 5^th February, 2016
http://addictionaustralia.org.au/

10^th Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Drug policy

Abstract submissions are now open for the ISSDP conference.  Presentation options include oral presentations, panel sessions, and workshops.  Abstracts on all aspects of drug policy are welcome but there is particular interest on items addressing the conference themes. The conference themes this year include:

• Harm reduction: old, new and emerging forms of harm reduction;
• Drugs policy and its intersection with human rights and development;
• Indigenous peoples and illicit drug policy;
• Drug markets and policy responses in Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific;
• Drug user groups and drug policy: the role of consumers and other stakeholders;
• UNGASS 2016, and the international drug control system.

Submissions due: 15^th January, 2016
http://www.issdp2016.com/

No2Bullying conference

Abstract submissions are now open for the No2Bullying conference. Oral presentations, poster presentations and workshops are available as presentation options.  Authors or organisations interested in submitting a paper or presenting a workshop are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words outlining the aims, contents and conclusions of their paper or presentation; or about their intended role in a workshop.
Conference streams include:

• Schools
• Workplace
• Cyberbullying
• Higher Education
• Principle and Practice
• Prevention Strategies
• Lessons Learnt
• Open

Submissions due: 18^th January, 2016
http://no2bullying.org.au/submit-abstract/

Read – professional reading

 

Nambiar, D., Agius, P. A., Stoové, M., Hickman, M., & Dietze, P. (2015). Mortality in the Melbourne injecting drug user cohort study (MIX). Harm Reduction Journal, 12(1), 55.
http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/12/1/55

Zinkiewicz, L., Smith, G., Burn, M., Litherland, S., Wells, S., Graham, K., and Miller, P. (2015) Aggression-related alcohol expectancies and barroom aggression among construction tradespeople. Drug and Alcohol Review.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12360/abstract?campaign=wolearlyview

Gomersall, J. S., Canuto, K., Aromataris, E., Braunack-Mayer, A. and Brown, A. (2015), Systematic review to inform prevention and management of chronic disease for Indigenous Australians: overview and priorities. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1753-6405.12476/abstract?campaign=wolearlyview
 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

This month’s journal club will be presented by the NSW team.  They will be looking at the use of nonviolent communication as an intervention, article to be confirmed.
When: Thursday, 28^th January, TBC

January Seminar series (available to Healthy Options workers only)

In January we will have Dr Amy Mullens, Clinical and Health Psychologist and Senior Lecturer from the University of Southern Queensland, presenting on getting the most out of peer and clinical supervision
When: Friday, 22^nd January, 12.30pm (AEST)

Computer skills

Microsoft Office 2013 skills
Need to brush up on your Office skills? The following online courses offer free to access, self-paced modules.
Microsoft Word 2013 - http://www.gcflearnfree.org/word2013
Microsoft Excel 2013 - http://www.gcflearnfree.org/excel2013
Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 - http://www.gcflearnfree.org/powerpoint2013
Internet skills
Get a few basics about Internet Explorer under your belt
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/internetexplorer
 

Listen – podcasts, webinars

24^th International Harm Reduction conference

Some of the key presentations from this year’s conference are now available online to view.  There are presentations from representatives around the world with discussions on international policy.  Particularly recommend the moving presentation by Annie Madden from the Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) on involving consumers in policy discussions. 
http://drogriporter.hu/en/kualalumpursessions

Insight webinars

Catch up on any of the Insight Webinars you may have missed during 2015 on the Dovetail Vimeo site.  This year’s topics included:
Resilience based practice in AOD services
Trauma, substance use and well-being in a young population
Barriers to treatment for amphetamine use
Working with families and significant others
And many more…
https://vimeo.com/insightqld

Podcast: Distorted Love

From the ABC “All in the Mind” radio program. Psychological abuse is part and parcel of the unacceptable level of family violence—it’s particularly challenging to recognise and often hidden behind closed doors. In this podcast a family therapist casts light on the manipulative narcissistic techniques used by some perpetrators to weave a 'web of distorted love'. And, there’s the story of a woman who eventually emerged from a deceptive marriage.
Duration: 30mins
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/distorted-love/6966188

Podcast: Leadership in social work

The idea of leadership is finding its way more often into the discussions of professional social work, but what is meant by "leadership"? And, what does being a "leader" mean? In this episode, Chad Allee describes what leadership is, argues for the importance of leadership in social work, and points to the need to cultivate more social work leaders
Duration: 22 minutes
http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=181

Podcast: Alternative identities – Vampires

DJ Williams addresses some of the personal and professional issues social workers and other professionals face when working with people who have alternative identities, in this case people who identify as vampires. Social workers work with many people defined by dominant discourses as deviant. When identities are so outside the norm, judgements can prevent people disclosing important aspects of themselves and the fear of being misunderstood can be a hindrance in working with them.
Duration: Approx. 30 mins
http://www.podsocs.com/podcast/alternative-identities-vampires/
 

Assessed learning – short courses, certificates, diplomas, bachelors, post-grad

Master of Addictive Behaviours

The Master of Addictive Behaviours is offered through Turning Point, Eastern Health Clinical School.  This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of addiction science, policy and practice. It is a multi-disciplinary, modular post-graduate degree that is delivered online but which retains a strongly interactive and dynamic focus.

Covering key contemporary issues such as problem drinking and gambling, and misuse of prescribed and illicit drugs, the course is delivered by a team of national and international experts from Monash University, Turning Point and other leading universities. This master's program is built on a strong conceptual and theoretical foundation and covers key topics in epidemiology, public health and policy, prevention and treatment and research methods.

The course is suitable for graduates in psychology, criminology, nursing, medicine and social work, and for professionals engaged in criminal justice, mental health, community health and public policy. It enables students to enhance their career development, improve their academic skills and gain a rewarding and satisfying educational experience.

All units in this course are delivered online. Contact with teaching staff is available via forum discussions, announcements, email and telephone.

Final closing date applications: 5^th February
http://www.turningpoint.org.au/Education/Graduate-Programs/masteraddictivebehavious.aspx

Graduate Course in Alcohol and other Drugs Studies

Turning Point offers the Graduate Course in Alcohol and other Drugs Studies, leading to either a Graduate Diploma or a Graduate Certificate.  For further details on each of these courses visit their respective websites.
Final closing date for applications:  5^th February
Graduate Certificate http://www.turningpoint.org.au/Education/Graduate-Programs/GradCert.aspx
Graduate Diploma http://www.turningpoint.org.au/Education/Graduate-Programs/Graduate_Diploma.aspx

New LGBTIQ website, checking drug interactions and more...

A few new (and not so new) online resources for you to be aware of

*****

 

Launched recently, TouchBase is a website designed to provide information and resources to members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer/Questioning community on substance use, mental health and sexual health.  TouchBase is a collaboration between the Victorian AIDS Council, the Australian Drug Foundation, and the Australian Federation of AIDS Councils.  There is a good range of information presented in a clear and easy to navigate format.  Great information on the effect of substances on people using HIV medication or those who are taking some form of hormone therapy.

http://touchbase.org.au/

*****

 The Penington Institute have just released two new video resources about the use of Naloxone to prevent overdose.  The videos are aimed at people using substances, their friends and family, as well as frontline workers.

http://www.penington.org.au/overdose-prevention-resources/

                                                                            *****

Penington Institute also launched the mobile optimised version of its COPE website. COPE (Community Overdose Prevention and Education) is a community-based opioid overdose prevention initiative run by Penington Institute. The COPE mobile site provides access to critical life-saving information to doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, and other health workers, as well as people at risk of overdose.

http://www.copeaustralia.com.au/


                                                                           *****

A framework for working safely and effectively with men who perpetrate intimate partner violence in substance use treatment settings is a new set of guidelines released by Kings College. Although some of the material has a UK focus, most of the information is applicable to an Australian setting.

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/addictions/research/drugs/Capabilities-Framework-Final.pdf


                                                                          *****

Knowledge Circle, is a new resource to support workers in their efforts to help keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children safe and happy in their communities. This resource includes practice profiles, discussion boards and webinars

https://www2.aifs.gov.au/cfca/knowledgecircle

 

                                                                          *****
And finally,

Looking for a resource for drug interactions?  Try Drug Interactions Checker.  It's quite straight forward to use and the information provided is clear and written for laypersons (i.e. not medical jargon).  Naturally this resource comes with a disclaimer around not being able to predict all drug interactions and that it should be used as a guide only.  This is particularly relevant to illicit substances as the actual content of the substance may vary significantly.

 

http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php

 

New resources for your AOD toolkit

These are some of the great new resources being released both nationally and internationally for clinicians working in alcohol and other drugs.

YouthAOD Toolbox

http://youthaodtoolbox.org.au/

Previously only available if you registered, this online resource from the Youth Support and Advocacy Service is now accessible to all.

The toolbox includes outlines of frameworks, theories, therapeutic models, and training modules.


Youth & Health Worker Support Kit

http://issuu.com/hepatitisnsw/docs/youthworkerkit

The "Youth and health worker support kit: working with young people and viral hepatitis - Risks, consequences and choices of body art and drug use" online brochure has been produced by Hepatitis NSW. It has a range of session plans, strategy worksheets and activities to use when discussing viral hepatitis.


Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: Pocket Guide

http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA15-4907POCKETGUID?WT.mc_id=EB_20151102_PocketGuide

Produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, in the US, this pocketbook outlines some of the medications used for alcohol use.


Medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) have released two new resources:

Medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence: Your questions answered 

https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/ndarc/resources/MATOD%20Your%20Questions%20Answered.pdf

Medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence: A review of the evidence

https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/medication-assisted-treatment-opioid-dependence-review-evidence