April PD

You can add to the professional development post by commenting below or emailing the library.

Read – professional reading

Available from the library database.

Chiou, W., & Wu, W. (2017). Episodic future thinking involving the nonsmoking self can induce lower discounting and cigarette consumption. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs, 78(1), 106-112.
 Gilchrist, E. A., Ireland, L., Forsyth, A., Godwin, J., & Laxton, T. (2017). Alcohol use, alcohol‐related aggression and intimate partner abuse: A cross‐sectional survey of convicted versus general population men in Scotland. Drug And Alcohol Review, 36(1), 20-23.
Knight, A., Shakeshaft, A., Havard, A., Maple, M., Foley, C., & Shakeshaft, B. (2017). The quality and effectiveness of interventions that target multiple risk factors among young people: a systematic review. Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Public Health, 41(1), 54-60.
Thompson, K., Davis-MacNevin, P., Teehan, M., & Stewart, S. (2017). The association between secondhand harms from alcohol and mental health outcomes among postsecondary students. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs, 78(1), 70-78.

Open Access

Frei, M.Y., Wodak, A.d. (2017). Beyond ice: rethinking Australia's approach to illicit drugs. Medical Journal of Australia. doi:10.5694/mja16.00108

Ross, S. (2017). Chronic pain, mental health and substance use disorders: how can we manage this triad in our healthcare system and in our communities?. Columbia Medical Review, 1(1).

Uhlhaas, P. J., Gajwani, R., Gross, J., Gumley, A. I., Lawrie, S. M., & Schwannauer, M. (2017). The Youth Mental Health Risk and Resilience Study (YouR-Study). BMC psychiatry, 17(1), 43.

Open access online journal

 Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation

Write - presentations and papers

AACBT 38TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Call for Abstracts!
The 2017 Committee are excited to announce the call for abstracts for the 38th National Conference of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT).  The conference is to take place from Thursday 26 October – Saturday 28 October, at the Crown Plaza Coogee Beach Hotel, Coogee, Sydney, NSW. ‘Innovations in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies across the Lifespan’ is this year’s conference theme.  Extending the very best traditions of previous Conferences, we plan to represent the cutting edge of evidence-based practice and science in both cognitive and behavioural therapies, as well as third wave approaches.  We are particularly pleased to offer exciting invited speakers with expertise across the lifespan from children to older adults

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Insight Queensland

Free training sessions at Biala Community Health Centre, 270 Roma, Street, Brisbane:
AOD Clinical Assessment: This interactive workshop introduces participants to clinical assessment for alcohol and other drug problems.
18/04/2017, 09:00-16:00
Quitting Cannabis, 1-6 Sessions: This workshop was developed by the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC). It is specifically designed for clinicians who treat people experiencing problematic cannabis use. The workshop covers a comprehensive, evidence-based intervention which the clinician may deliver over 1 – 6 sessions.
27/04/2017, 09:00-15:00
For more details and to register, click here

QCOSS: NDIS Workforce Forum

Metro Hotel Ipswich International Karalee Room 43 South Street, Ipswich

Cost: Free

Date: 05/04/2017, 10:00-14:00

This forum will bring a broad range of key stakeholders together to hear, explore and share insights and strategies to ensure that the Ipswich NDIS region (Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset LGAs) has the right NDIS workforce, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time to resource the full implementation of the NDIS.

For more details and to register click here

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only) Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting. Date: TBC

Attend – conferences 

Australian  and New Zealand Addiction Conference, 15-17 May 2017,

Mantra on View Hotel, Gold Coast.
Topics include:
Trauma informed counselling; navigating the system; training and support of AOD workers; issues within rural and remote communities; the lived experience and their supporters; emerging trends; cultural safety and sensitivity when working with specific population groups.
Cost from $590-$990
More details available here

Listen – podcasts, webinars

National Comorbidity Guidelines: An evidence-based resource for drug and alcohol workers.
This free webinar is offered by the NHRMC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use.
Date: 27/04/2017, 11:00.
For more details and to register click here
Previous webinars can be accessed on their Vimeo channel

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

Confronting Gender Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers
This course introduces participants from the healthcare sector to gender based violence (GBV), including global epidemiology of GBV; health outcomes; seminal research; and clinical best practices for GBV prevention, support, and management. It is a free online course over 4 weeks and is suitable for community health workers, social workers and counsellors. It is run by John Hopkins University and starts on 10/04/2017.

March PD

You can add to the professional development post by commenting below or emailing the library.

Read – professional reading

Available from the library database

Crossin, R., Cairney, S., Lawrence, A. J., & Duncan, J. R. (2017). Adolescent inhalant abuse leads to other drug use and impaired growth; implications for diagnosis. Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Public Health, 41(1), 99-104.

Madruga, C. S., Viana, M. C., Abdalla, R. R., Caetano, R., & Laranjeira, R. (2017). Pathways from witnessing parental violence during childhood to involvement in intimate partner violence in adult life: The roles of depression and substance use. Drug And Alcohol Review, 36(1), 107-114.

Thompson, K., Davis-MacNevin, P., Teehan, M., & Stewart, S. (2017). The Association Between Secondhand Harms From Alcohol and Mental Health Outcomes Among Postsecondary Students. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs, 78(1), 70-78.

Witkiewitz, K., Roos, C. R., Pearson, M. R., Hallgren, K. A., Maisto, S. A., Kirouac, M., & ... Heather, N. (2017). How Much Is Too Much? Patterns of Drinking During Alcohol Treatment and Associations With Post-Treatment Outcomes Across Three Alcohol Clinical Trials. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs, 78(1), 59-69.

Open Access Available from Google Scholar

LoSavio, S. T., Dillon, K. H., & Resick, P. A. (2017). Cognitive factors in the development, maintenance, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Current Opinion in Psychology, 14, 18-22.

Skelton, E., Bonevski, B., Tzelepis, F., Shakeshaft, A., Guillaumier, A., Dunlop, A., ... & Palazzi, K. (2017). Tobacco smoking policies in Australian alcohol and other drug treatment services, agreement between staff awareness and the written policy document. BMC Public Health, 17(1), 87.

Write - presentations and papers

The Australian Winter School are looking for speakers to present on a range of topics under their three breakout streams: Harm reduction; Prevention; Treatment. If you have exciting research, fantastic outcomes or ground-breaking new initiatives in AOD, they invite you to make a submission! Closing 28 February 2017.
Conference will be held in Brisbane on 27 and 28 July and registration to attend opens in March.
Click here for more details

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Insight Queensland

Free training sessions at Biala Community Health Centre in Brisbane including:
Culturally secure AOD practice: 09/03/2017
Crystal clear: responding to methamphetamine use: 16/03/2017
Understanding psychoactive drugs: 28/03/2017
Family inclusive practice in AOD treatment: 30/03/2017
Click here for details
Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only) Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting. Date: TBC

Attend – conferences 

Australian  and New Zealand Addiction Conference, 15-17 May 2017,

Mantra on View Hotel, Gold Coast.
Topics include:
Trauma informed counselling; navigating the system; training and support of AOD workers; issues within rural and remote communities; the lived experience and their supporters; emerging trends; cultural safety and sensitivity when working with specific population groups.
Cost from $590-$990
More details available here

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Insight Won’t be running any webinars until March but their 2016 archive can be viewed on  Vimeo and includes: PTSD. Are we missing it? AOD sector update and launch of Meth check Understanding domestic violence within the context of AOD The lowdown on AOD apps and websites Understanding treatment for personality disorders

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

Learning how to learn online.

Learn how online education differs from traditional classrooms while you explore and develop your own personal strategies for online learning success. You will be guided through an interactive investigation and self-reflection process to help you determine your learning preferences and create your own personal strategy for successful online learning. We will address common misconceptions, frustrations and fears about online learning and introduce techniques to help overcome such obstacles. Various models of online courses will be explored as well as the concept of a "personal learning space".
Starts 05/03/2017 for 5 weeks and will require 2 hours per week.
Free online course, enrol here

February PD

 

You can add to the professional development post by commenting below or emailing the library.

 Read – professional reading

Watson, Tara Marie, et al. "Developing national best practice recommendations for harm reduction programmes: Lessons learned from a community-based project." International Journal of Drug Policy 41 (2017): 14-18.

Starcevic, Vladan, and Vlasios Brakoulias. "Current understanding of the relationships between obsessive-compulsive disorder and personality disturbance." Current Opinion in Psychiatry 30.1 (2017): 50-55.
Marsh, Whitney, Heith Copes, and Travis Linnemann. "Creating visual differences: Methamphetamine users perceptions of anti-meth campaigns." International Journal of Drug Policy 39 (2017): 52-61.

Bhatt, Achal, and Aminder Gill. "Opiate addiction-current trends and treatment options." International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences 4.7 (2017): 2503-2507.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20161911

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

An Introduction to Youth AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs). This short online package is designed to give workers, services and communities who engage with young people an overview of the Youth AOD field. http://dovetail.org.au/youthaod.aspx

Ice Training for Frontline Workers. A free online resource enabling frontline workers to enhance their knowledge of methamphetaminehttps://nceta.androgogic.com.au/

Project gauge alcohol and other drugs client engagement and participation toolkit. Consists of 5 self-paced online modules taking 10-15 minutes each to complete which will enable AOD workers to create partnerships with clients.http://insightqld.org/project-gauge/

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only) Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting. Date:TBC

Attend - conferences

National Disability Services NSW Conference
Date: 23/02/2017-24/02/2017. Attendance at the conference provides information and insight into how organisations can operate within the NDIS
Cost: On website

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Insight Won't be running any webinars until March but their 2016 archive can be viewed on Vimeo and includes: PTSD. Are we missing it?, AOD sector update and launch of Meth check, Understanding domestic violence within the context of AOD, The lowdown on AOD apps and websites, Understanding treatment for personality disorders

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

The Addicted Brain: This MOOC covers addiction to drugs and how information in the brain helps individual overcome addiction. Starts 23/01/2017. Free for the online content but there is a fee for certificates and assessment. https://www.coursera.org/learn/addiction-and-the-brain

 

November PD

You can add to the professional development post by commenting below or emailing the library. 

Write – presentations and papers

 

The Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference

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

• Navigating the service system: how do we get the service system to meet the needs of the client.
• Training and Support of AOD Workers: this looks at the development of people working within the sector including the supervision of support staff. It also focuses on providing support for staff who identify as lived experience.
• Focus on issues within rural and remote communities – this involves multiple areas: Access to treatments; Continuity of service; Support needs; Workforce training; Treatment planning and strategies
• Cultural safety and sensitivity when working with specific population groups eg ATSI communities; maori; islander; multicultural; LGBTI; refugees etc
• Emerging trends of addiction eg internet, sex, video gaming, steroids, prescription medicines etc and innovative solutions in treatment services including public versus private responses and the role of physical help in the recovery process.
• Trauma informed services: working with people on their addiction treatment and recovery program who are experiencing or have experienced trauma – helping them to feel safe.
• The lived experienced and their supporters: this topic covers self-help options; support mechanisms and systems for family and friends; early intervention models; co-dependency; the multi-systemic system; intervention and support for families; addressing co-dependency in family systems. 

Submissions close: 6th February

  

 

Read – professional reading

  

Smirnov, A., Kemp, R., Ward, J., Henderson, S., Williams, S., Dev, A., and Najman, J. M. (2016) Patterns of drug dependence in a Queensland (Australia) sample of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who inject drugs. Drug and Alcohol Review, 35: 611–619. doi: 10.1111/dar.12392. 

 

Rash, C. J., Stitzer, M., & Weinstock, J. (2016). Contingency management: New directions and remaining challenges for an evidence-based intervention. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 

http://www.journalofsubstanceabusetreatment.com/article/S0740-5472(16)30339-7/pdf

 

Tracy, K., & Wallace, S. P. (2016). Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 7, 143–154. http://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S81535 

 

 

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

  

Meth Check

Developed by Insight, Meth Check is a package of free tools and resources designed for health and community service workers who engage with people who use methamphetamine. Although developed specifically for Queensland workers, the materials are applicable to most regions.

The package includes:

Introduction to methamphetamine;

Medical interventions;

Ultra-brief interventions;

Harm reduction materials;

and Factsheets for families

http://insightqld.org/meth-check/

 

Ice: Training for Frontline Workers

Module 7 for NCETA’s training has been uploaded. The module looks at organisational responses to Ice use.

http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/workforce/training-and-education-1/ice-training-package/

 

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting.

October’s journal club will be presented by SA team

Date: TBC

 

 

Attend - conferences

 

Australasian Sexual Health Conference/Australasian HIV and AIDS Conference

The annual conference is run by ASHM as a platform for the dissemination and presentation of new and innovative research findings across the Australasian HIV sector. The conference aims to strengthen bonds between specialists, GPs, nurses, researchers and other key contributors to the sexual health sector, through collaboration in sexual health education, policy-making and research. The conference encourages all disciplines involved in sexual health medicine and sexual health promotion to come together and share experiences, new research and discuss national and local responses to sexual health in Australasia.

When: 16-18th November

Where: Adelaide, SA

See website for registration fees

http://www.sexualhealthconference.com.au/ehome/sh2016/335042/

 

 

Listen – podcasts, webinars

MindOUT! Webinar

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for LGBTIQ People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds, presented by Dr Tony Mordini

When: 8th Nov, 1-2pm (AEDT)

http://lgbtihealth.org.au/mindout-webinars/

 

Insight Webinars - Wednesdays 10am (AEST)

http://insightqld.org/webinars/

 

Working with High-Risk Families: The Parents Under Pressure Program

Prof. Sharon Dawe School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University

The Parents Under Pressure (PUP) program is focused on improving the quality of the caregiving relationship between parents and children. The program has been undergoing evaluation in the UK and this seminar provides preliminary data on two studies. Both studies present encouraging results and also raise important issues about the utility of intensive parenting programs conducted in the real world.

When: 2nd November

 

The Lowdown on AOD Apps and Websites

 Assoc. Prof. Leanne Hides Deputy Director, Centre for Youth Substance Abuse (CYSAR), Queensland University of Technology

eHealth has the potential to increase access to AOD treatment as well as enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of current treatments. This seminar will review the key features and evidence base for current AOD apps and websites, as well as discuss models for how they can be implemented into routine clinical practice.

When: 9th November

  

Understanding Treatment for Personality Disorders

Nathan Pasieczny Team Leader, Mood Academic Clinical Unit, Metro South Addictions and Mental Health Service

Given the variable levels of severity and functioning, high comorbidity rates and variety of treatment options available for clients / patients with personality disorders, effective formulation and treatment planning remains complex. Nathan is a specialist in dialectical behaviour therapy and will discuss progress on the understanding and treatment of borderline personality disorder over the last five years.

When: 16th November

 

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Dr Jeremy Hayllar Clinical Director, Metro North Mental Health – Alcohol & Drug Service

Dr Hayllar concludes the semester with a review of fine cloth and bespoke tailoring in the field of alcohol and drugs. This talk is guaranteed to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the latest information and research in the field – as well as your appearance

When: 23rd November 

 

In Social Work Podcast: Multisystemic Therapy: A Strengths-Based, Collaborative Approach for Working with Negative Adolescent Behaviours

 Anyone working with the disruptive behaviours of a challenging adolescent understands just how difficult that work can be. When these problematic behaviours are present, successful resolution may require involvement from several of a child's networks. Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an intensive intervention that works with the adolescent and their family, while also engaging the other important systems in the child's life. In this episode, Dr. Steven Halady, Erin DeWolfe, and Jessica Bonczar describe what MST is and how its ecological foundation informs and directs its application.

 Duration: 42min

 http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=201

 

 

October PD opportunities

A list of some of the professional development opportunities available in October


Write – presentations and papers

8th Australasian Drug and Alcohol Strategy Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 2-5 May 2017.

Call for Abstracts
The overall theme of ADASC 2017 is Influencing Attitudes - how can thinking and behaviour towards alcohol and drug use be changed?
Both the Australian and New Zealand national drug policies recognise the critical importance of building partnerships between health and law enforcement sectors and engaging all levels and parts of government and non-government sectors and the community.
ADASC 2017 seeks to strengthen the partnerships between law enforcement, health practitioners, academics and policy makers at a local, national and international level; bringing people together to examine, review, assess, share and learn from each other.
Submission due: 7 October
http://event.icebergevents.com.au/adasc2017/call-for-abstracts
 

Read – professional reading

Nathan, S., Rawstorne, P., Hayen, A., Bryant, J., Baldry, E., Ferry, M., ... & Jayasinha, R. (2016). Examining the pathways for young people with drug and alcohol dependence: a mixed-method design to examine the role of a treatment programme. BMJ open, 6(5), e010824.

http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/5/e010824.full

Lee, K. K., Dawson, A. J., & Conigrave, K. M. (2016). Insights into the effective management of support groups for Aboriginal Australian women with substance use disorders. Society, Health & Vulnerability, 7.

http://www.societyhealthvulnerability.net/index.php/shv/article/view/29474

Degenhardt, L., Sara, G., McKetin, R., Roxburgh, A., Dobbins, T., Farrell, M., ... & Hall, W. D. (2016). Crystalline methamphetamine use and methamphetamine‐related harms in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12426/full
 

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.
October’s journal club will be presented by DAAR Brisbane.
The article we’ll be looking at is:
Femke T.A. Buisman-Pijlman, Nicole M. Sumracki, Jake J. Gordon, Philip R. Hull, C. Sue Carter, Mattie Tops. Individual differences underlying susceptibility to addiction: Role for the endogenous oxytocin system. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2014; 119: 22  DOI:10.1016/j.pbb.2013.09.005
Date: 10^th October, 12.30pm AEST
 

Attend - conferences

Mental Health Super Summit

Over 18 days from Thursday 6th October until Sunday 23rd October 2016, Australia’s leading mental health professional development provider in collaboration with the Act for Kids charity is hosting the 2016 Mental Health Super Summit.   The Summit will be delivered via 20 live webinar sessions from Thursday 6th October to Sunday 9th October, and will continue as an on-demand event (i.e. you can watch recorded versions of the live sessions) until Sunday 23rd October.
Date: 6^th – 23^rd October
Cost: You decide what to pay from as little as $50
https://www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/summit/2016/
 

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Dovetail Video: Universal Harm Reduction Advice

Harm reduction is a key underlying principle of working with young people who use alcohol and other drugs. While there are a range of substance specific harm reduction practices, there are also a number of standard pieces of harm reduction advice that is relevant for any young person, regardless of the substance they might be using.
This video highlights some key principles of providing good harm reduction advice, and some examples of harm reduction advice in practice
Duration – 5mins
https://youtu.be/CXwTDvqsbpA
 
The Science of Social Work
In this episode, Dr. Jeane Anastas and Dr. Cynthia Franklin discuss how the Social Work profession attempts to integrate practice and research. Framing the profession's commitment to evidence-based practice as an ethical and accountability issue, these long-term practitioners and academics look back and then forward at Social Work's response to the science of social work practice. Our guests comment on the factors that complicate practitioners' adoption of evidence-based practices, discuss the struggle for those in the trenches of practice, and acknowledge the professional dynamics that limit social work research and who gets to initiate the questions.
Duration – 40mins
http://www.insocialwork.org/episode.asp?ep=198

MindOUT Webinar: LGBTI People Alcohol and Drugs, and Mental Health

LGBTI people have specific experiences when it comes to alcohol and drug use and mental health.  This webinar will discuss the prevalence of alcohol and drug use amongst LGBTI communities and the vulnerabilities and risk factors leading to problematic use. This webinar will look closely at methamphetamine use among men who have sex with other men and the work VAC is doing to support these communities.
http://lgbtihealth.org.au/resources/mindout-webinar-lgbti-people-alcohol-drugs-mental-health/

Insight Webinars, Wednesdays, 10am AEST

http://insightqld.org/webinars/

Working with HIV in Queensland

Chris Howard, Life+ Program Manager, Queensland Positive People.
Queensland Positive People (QPP) is a peer-based advocacy organisation committed to promoting self-determination and empowerment for all people living with HIV (PLHIV) throughout Queensland. This seminar will provide a brief history of QPP and an outline of the service’s components followed by an overview of current global and local epidemiology of HIV, treatment as prevention and efforts to support attainment of UN targets.
Date: 5^th October

Emergency Department Frequent Presenter Response Project

Debra Harcourt’ Senior Project Officer, Patient Flow Unit, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Frequent attendance at hospital emergency departments may be highlighting a failure to effectively link patients with a range of supports. The ED Frequent Presenters Response Project is assessing which patients are more likely to present for treatment on more than five occasions in a month, with the aim of reducing repeated ED presentations in the future.
Date: 12 October

Understanding Domestic Violence Within the Context of AOD

Dr Deborah Walsh, School of Social Work & Human Services, The University of Queensland
This session will explore the diverse presentations of domestic violence in practice linking this to the problematic definitions that are frequently associated with this issue. The presentation will also discuss why victims stay with violent partners and explore practice opportunities when working with victims and perpetrators.
Date: 19 October

PTSD. Are We Missing It?

Jason Monk, Psychologist, Clinical Improvement Coordinator, Queensland Health
Can we miss seeing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and is it more prevalent than we think? Jason has worked in Mental Health in Bundaberg and Brisbane and has a particular interest PTSD. This presentation looks at how PTSD might occur and develop, what we should be looking for, and what can be done to treat and support people who present with symptoms.
Date: 25 October

September PD opportunities

Write – presentations and papers

8^th Australasian Drug and Alcohol Strategy Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 2-5 May 2017.
Call for Abstracts
The overall theme of ADASC 2017 is Influencing Attitudes - how can thinking and behaviour towards alcohol and drug use be changed?
Both the Australian and New Zealand national drug policies recognise the critical importance of building partnerships between health and law enforcement sectors and engaging all levels and parts of government and non-government sectors and the community.
ADASC 2017 seeks to strengthen the partnerships between law enforcement, health practitioners, academics and policy makers at a local, national and international level; bringing people together to examine, review, assess, share and learn from each other.
http://event.icebergevents.com.au/adasc2017/call-for-abstracts

Read – professional reading

Shakeshaft, A. (June 2016) Improving substance abuse treatment outcomes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in rural, community-based health settings
Evidence shows that rural/regional Australians experience disproportionately high rates of substance abuse, and that it is strongly associated with serious physical and mental health harms. To address these issues, we identified the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA), a version of cognitive-behaviour therapy, adapted to optimise its relevance and acceptability to Indigenous Australians.
http://www.connections.edu.au/researchfocus/improving-substance-abuse-treatment-outcomes-indigenous-and-non-indigenous-australians

Sheals, K., Tombor, I., McNeill, A., and Shahab, L. (2016) A mixed-method systematic review and meta-analysis of mental health professionals' attitudes toward smoking and smoking cessation among people with mental illnesses. Addiction, 111: 1536–1553. doi: 10.1111/add.13387.

People with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders are important targets for smoking cessation interventions. Mental health professionals (MHPs) are ideally placed to deliver interventions, but their attitudes may prevent this. This systematic review therefore aimed to identify and estimate quantitatively MHPs attitudes towards smoking and main barriers for providing smoking cessation support and to explore these attitudes in-depth through qualitative synthesis. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.13387/full

Salom, C. L., Kelly, A. B., Alati, R., Williams, G. M., Patton, G. C., and Williams, J. W. (2016) Individual, school-related and family characteristics distinguish co-occurrence of drinking and depressive symptoms in very young adolescents. Drug Alcohol Rev, 35: 387–396. doi: 10.1111/dar.12303.

Alcohol misuse and depressed mood are common during early adolescence, and comorbidity of these conditions in adulthood is associated with poorer health and social outcomes, yet little research has examined the co-occurrence of these problems at early adolescence. This study assessed risky and protective characteristics of pre-teens with concurrent depressed mood/early alcohol use in a large school-based sample. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12303/full

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.
September’s journal club will be presented by the SA team.
Date: TBC

Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
In this social science course, you will learn how social workers in the United States engage in creating change and supporting the resilience of individuals, families and communities in this new era.
 Learners will have an opportunity to explore the social worker profession, the different roles of social workers in a range of settings, the cross cutting themes that guide social work practice, the history of social work, and current challenges.
 Using a social justice lens, learners will reflect on current challenges facing the lives of individuals, families and communities and examine ways to advocate for needed changes. Duration: 5 weeks, 2-3hr/wk
Starts: 5^th September
https://www.edx.org/course/social-work-meeting-challenges-new-era-michiganx-sw101x
 
Attend – conferences
4^th National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference
The Conference will highlight the contributing role that harmful alcohol and other drugs use has on the health and life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the interventions that are required to close the life equality gap that exists.
Dates: 11/10/2016-14/10/2016
Cost: $825 for the 3 days
Location, Stamford Hotel, Adelaide
http://nidaconference.com.au/

Listen – podcasts, webinars

Dovetail Insight webinars
Free every Wednesday from 10am-11am.

AOD sector update and launch of ‘meth check’

Jeff Buckley, Director, Statewide Clinical Support Services
Jeff will provide an overview of the latest AOD policy and sector developments followed by the launch of a new suite of statewide methamphetamine clinical tools and resources called ‘Meth-Check’. This package includes clinical decision making flowcharts, an ultra-brief intervention tool, harm reduction resources and a free self-paced e-learning package
Date: 7^th September

Benzodiazepines. All the latest from home and abroad.

Dr Finn will be providing an overview of the latest information and research about benzodiazepines and their place in, or, perhaps out, of treatment. The presentation will include findings from across Europe as well local practice initiatives here in Queensland. No broadcasts on 21^st and 28^th September due to school holidays.
Date: 14^th September
http://insightqld.org/webinars/

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

Assessment of clients
Assessment of clients depends on the gathering of useful information so that suitable services can be identified. The information comes from a range of sources, both formal and informal
Venue: Online
Cost: $130 ACWA_CCWT members, $150 non-members
https://www.aasw.asn.au/events/event/assessment-of-clients
Other online courses can be accessed via their website: https://www.aasw.asn.au/events/category/all-events

International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day is approaching on Wednesday 31^st August

IOD is a global event held each year to raise awareness of overdose and reduce stigma of drug related death.  It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

IOD aims to spread the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.

Wear some Silver to show your support.

The IOD website has some excellent resources available for your information and for use with clients including:

• Overdose basics – including general stats and information on depressant, stimulant and alcohol overdose
• Printable factsheets on how overdose presents and how to respond to suspected overdose

                Fact Sheet – Alcohol

                Fact Sheet – Depressants

                Fact Sheet – Opioids

                Fact Sheet – Psychoactive Substances

                Fact Sheet – Stimulants

                Fact Sheet – Crystal Methamphetamine

• Access to the Overdose Aware app

You can also find out about the events taking place in your city here

www.overdoseday.com/get-involved/eventsfeed

 

* In an emergency go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department or call an Ambulance (dial 000)