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ACT ATOD Sector News eBulletin - March 2023

 
CEO's Message

ATODA was pleased to recently launch our updated ACT ATOD Program Directory, which provides information on over 40 specialist alcohol and other drug programs available in the ACT. Further detail is provided below, and I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the breadth of programs in offer in the ACT. The Directory along with our continuing monthly ATOD provider spotlight demonstrates well our nation-leading ATOD treatment and harm reduction sector.
 
This month ATODA made its submission to the ACT Budget 2023-24 Consultation Process. The ATOD sector is critical to achieving the ACT Government’s nation-leading ambition to genuinely respond to drug use as a health issue rather than a justice issue. The appropriate response to a health issue is to fund high quality health services. ATODA’s submission recommends increased investment in core funding for specialist ATOD providers and investment in evaluation in line with the ACT Government’s commitment to evidence-based policy. Further details are provided below, and I look forward to the ACT Government’s budget announcements.
 
ATODA has published two policy position statements this month, on e-cigarettes and supervised drug consumption rooms: further information is provided below. These are both topical issues in the ACT and nationally, and ATODA will continue to engage with both the ACT and Commonwealth governments as appropriate.
 
As was announced last week, I will be stepping down from ATODA on 21 April, and as such this will be my last CEO’s message. It has been a personal and professional privilege to work with the ACT ATOD sector over the past three years. Never have I worked in a sector more consistently or passionately focused on its clients. This focus on a shared aim facilitates potent collaboration within the sector – among service providers and between service providers and government. The high degree of cooperation and trust will be a touchstone as I move to ACTCOSS.
 
I extend my thanks to our partners in government for their willingness to earnestly listen to the sector and their skilful translation of the sector’s wisdom into policy. I have learned so much about policy from ATODA’s membership – the ACT would not be a national leader in this space without ATODA's members’ expertise. I have been truly grateful for opportunity to dialogue with people who use drugs, both those attending treatment and those who do not require or want treatment. They consistently showed patience and good humour as they educated me.  I especially want to thank the ATODA Board, which consistently gets to the heart of issues and whose wisdom is a great asset to the organisation and the sector. The Board Chair, Sharon Tuffin, is among the most capable leaders I have ever met, and I am thankful for our partnership. Finally, I thank the ATODA staff team, who gently and gracefully inducted me into the role. My colleagues at ATODA are what make it such a high-performing organisation. They have routinely astonished me with their great ideas and high-quality work, and I look forward to continued pleasant surprise.

Best regards, 
Dr Devin Bowles 

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Sector Update
ACT ATOD Program Directory - Official Redesign Launch 
The ACT ATOD Program Directory is a valuable local resource for anyone looking for up-to-date information on drug and alcohol services and programs available in the ACT. The ACT ATOD Program Directory provides details of over 40 specialist alcohol and other drug programs including an overview of each program, program requirements, treatment available and accessibility information. In addition to supporting the public in accessing this information, the Directory supports AOD workers and other professionals in making referrals and increases cross and intra-sectoral knowledge and collaborations between allied sectors. Included is an interactive geographical map of programs across the ACT and the organisations that provide these programs. To celebrate the redesign and relaunch of the ACT ATOD Program Directory ATODA recently shared cake with the members of the workforce. The redesign contains significant improvements to many elements of resource including search functionality.
 
This valuable resource is a central place for information about the ATOD sector and is available at this link.

Harm Reduction in Prisons Working Group Consensus Statement 'Strengthening injecting-related harm reduction in prisons'
The Harm Reduction in Prisons Working Group is a national cohort of health practitioners, researchers, sector representatives and advocates and is convened by the Social Policy Research Centre’s Drug Policy Modelling Program at UNSW Sydney. On 14 March 2023 the Working Group released a consensus statement that outlines an evidence-based approach to reducing the spread of blood borne viruses (BBVs) and other injecting-related harms in prisons.

Further information, including the media release and consensus statement, click here.
 
ATODA Submission to the ACT Budget 2023-24 Consultation Process
The ACT Government’s Budget consultation process is one of the ways that the Canberra community can inform how the ACT Government should invest in services and infrastructure. As the peak body for the ATOD sector in the ACT, ATODA’s submission to the 2023-24 Budget consultation process notes the ATOD sector’s important contribution to the wellbeing of the ACT community. It notes in particular the contribution to those vulnerable to lower levels of wellbeing in relation to health outcomes and inclusion and belonging outcomes, as described in the ACT Wellbeing Framework.

The submission details the urgent need to increase core funding for specialist ATOD treatment and harm reduction services in the ACT and the need to fund a thorough evaluation of the implementation of the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Act 2022. The need for increased funding for the ATOD sector has been highlighted by the ACT Government’s recent ATOD needs assessment, demand modelling for the ACT undertaken by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and multiple recommendations from ACT Legislative Assembly Committee inquiries.

ATODA’s submission can be read on the ACT Budget Consultation website at this link.
 
ATODA Policy Position Statements
ATODA has recently published two additional policy position statements on e-cigarettes and supervised consumption rooms. These statements were informed by engagement with specialist ATOD treatment and harm reduction services in the ACT, including the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA), and relevant experts. These statements will inform ATODA's ongoing advocacy on these issues, and can be read on the ATODA website at this link.
 
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CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn

 
CatholicCare's Specialist Alcohol and Other Drug Programs
The Sobering Up Shelter
The Sobering Up Shelter (SUS) provides a safe place for individuals over the age of 18 to recover from the effects of alcohol and other drugs. SUS operates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm to 11am. SUS is a licensed facility operating in accordance with the Intoxicated People (Care and Protection) Act 1994 and the Intoxicated People (Care and Protection) Standard 2004. Qualified ATOD workers provide close monitoring throughout the night and offer brief intervention, follow up, and referral to other services as required. Referrals are accepted from ACT Policing, ACT Ambulance, health and community services and the general community.

AOD Support Connections
CatholicCare’s AOD Support Connections program provides case management support to people engaging in alcohol and other drug use. The program supports people to identify and reach their goals through collaborative case planning, referrals, and harm reduction education. 

Case Managers provide holistic support so clients can make changes to their alcohol and other drug use, connect with physical and mental health services, address legal; financial or housing problems, safety plan around domestic and family violence, and build formal and informal support networks. This is a flexible outreach service, so staff meet clients in locations that suit them including in their home, or other community service.

Reaching Out
CatholicCare’s Reaching Out program provides specialist AOD counselling through an assertive outreach approach. Reaching Out is unique in this approach, providing services that are not location based, meeting clients at a place that is safe and comfortable for them. 

This model has proven to increase accessibility and enhance engagement by removing the stigma associated with accessing alcohol and other drug services that may have previously prevented engagement in in-centre counselling in identifiable settings. 

For referrals or more info, please contact CatholicCare’s AOD team via email:  info@catholiccare.cg.org.au or phone 6162 6100.
 
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Conferences
Harm Reduction International Conference - April 2023
Harm Reduction International is holding its 27th conference. This year it is in Australia, and the theme is "Strength in Solidarity". The conference will be held over 4 days and will also have an option to join online.

Date: 16 - 19 April 2023
Location: Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre

For more information, or to register, click here.

NADA Conference - May 2023
The Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) is the peak organisation for the non-government alcohol and other drugs sector in NSW. The theme for 2023 is "Creating safe spaces". The conference will be held over 3 days and will also have an option to join online.

Date: 11 - 12 May 2023
Location:  International Convention Centre, Sydney

For more information, or to register, click here.

3rd International Indigenous Health & Wellbeing Conference - June 2023
The Lowitja Institute works for the health and wellbeing of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through quality research, knowledge translation and by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers. They are hosting the 2023 conference on the lands of the Gimuy-walubarra Yidinji peoples in Cairns, Queensland.

Date: 14-16 June 2023
Location: Cairns Convention Centre, Queensland

For more information, or to register, click here.

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Training and Professional Development
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Information and Harm Reduction Training for Youth Workers 
ATODA will be hosting ATOD information & harm reduction training in collaboration with the Youth Coalition of the ACT. The training will be conducted face-to-face. 
 
The training will provide participants with:
  • Improved knowledge of ATOD use and trends in the ACT and Australia
  • Improved knowledge on ATOD and harm reduction strategies to share with clients
  • Improved confidence in working with people ATOD issues
  • New skills in harm reduction practice

Please note: This training is only open to workers in the ACT and numbers are limited to 20 participants to allow for discussion and small group activities. 

Dates:
  • Monday 26 June 2023 (for more information or to register, click here)
  • Tuesday 27 June 2023 (for more information or to register, click here
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Location: 46 Clianthus St, O'Connor ACT 2602
Cost*: $90 for NGOs ($80 for NGOs that are ATODA members) or $120 government agencies (includes lunch and refreshments)

*If this fee excludes your participation, please contact us at training@atoda.org.au to discuss an alternative arrangement or sponsored position.
 
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre - Webinars
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) conducts evidence-based webinars on alcohol and drug issues. Upcoming webinars include: 
  • Thursday 30 March 2023, 3:00pm: Informing and changing Australian parental alcohol supply practices. For more information or to register, click here.
  • Thursday 13 April 2023, 3:00pm: The International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders. For more information or to register, click here.
  • Thursday 20 April 2023, 3:00pm: Drug use at music festivals: Key findings and harm reduction recommendations. For more information or to register, click here.
     
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Employment Opportunities
Support Workers, Residential Therapeutic Community - Karralika Programs Inc
Applications are encouraged as soon as possible and will close as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. For more information, click here
 
Case Manager, Residential Therapeutic Community - Karralika Programs Inc
Applications are encouraged as soon as possible and will close as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. For more information, click here
 
Case Manager, Community Services - Karralika Programs Inc
Applications are encouraged as soon as possible and will close as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. For more information, click here
 
Case Worker - The Salvation Army
Applications close on Friday 7 April 2023. For more information, click here
 
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ATODA acknowledges and celebrates the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the land of the ACT. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. ATODA recognises and continues to learn from the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the alcohol, tobacco and other drug sector. 
Contact ATODA:

Phone: (02) 6249 6358
Email: info@atoda.org.au
Mail: PO Box 7009 Kaleen, ACT 2617
Visit: 159 Maribyrnong Ave, Kaleen ACT 2617

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The Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) is the peak body representing the non-government and government alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). ATODA seeks to promote health through the prevention and reduction of the harms associated with ATOD.

While the term AOD (alcohol and other drug) is commonly used to refer to the alcohol, tobacco and other drug sector, ATODA’s preference is to use the term ATOD. This acknowledges the role that specialist service providers in this sector play in providing tobacco cessation support, and because tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of the burden of disease in Australia, contributing far more than alcohol or all illicit drugs combined.
 

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Any personal information you provide to ATODA will be managed in line with ATODA’s Privacy Policy and in accordance with all relevant legislation. Your personal information will only be disclosed to third parties with your consent unless otherwise required or authorised by law.


Views expressed in the eBulletin do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT. Not all third-party events or information included in the eBulletin are endorsed by the ACT ATOD Sector or the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT. No responsibility is accepted by the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT or the editor for the accuracy of information contained in the eBulletin or the consequences of any person relying upon such information. To contact us please email ebulletin@atoda.org.au or call (02) 6249 6358.






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Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT · 159 Maribyrnong Avenue Kaleen · Canberra, ACT 2617 · Australia

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