2024 NDARC Annual Research Symposium

2024 NDARC Annual Research Symposium

NDARC is delighted to announce we are partnering with the Wesley Mission for this year’s Annual Research Symposium.

The 2024 NDARC Annual Research Symposium will be held at Wesley Mission’s Conference Centre on Friday, 20 September. Situated in the heart of Sydney CBD, Wesley Mission is renowned for helping those struggling with addiction, mental health, homelessness, and financial and domestic challenges. As our mission is to see a world without alcohol and drug-related harm, we are proud to partner with such an incredible organisation as we showcase the foremost research in the alcohol and other drugs sector and related fields.

This venue is perfect for our one-day face-to-face event, with easy-to-access transport and accommodation options nearby. We will soon announce our dynamic program, including international and national keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and a networking event. Please stay tuned for more updates.

  Friday, 20 September

  Wesley Mission’s Conference Centre

Drug Policy Modelling Program Sympsium 2024

Join us the Drug Policy Modelling Program Symposium 2024

Save the date for the DPMP symposium where we will share recent research and evidence on all aspects of alcohol and other drug policy. The symposium will open with the launch of our new report The Australian Drug Budget 2021/2022, detailing government investment across drug prevention, treatment, harm reduction and law enforcement.

Registration and program details to follow.

  Tuesday 04 June 2024

  9.30am–3.30pm

  Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia Building

  UNSW Sydney, Kensington campus

About the Drug Policy Modelling Program

The aim of the DPMP is to create valuable new drug policy insights, ideas and interventions that will allow Australia and other nations to respond with alacrity and success. DPMP addresses drug policy using a comprehensive approach that includes consideration of law enforcement, prevention, treatment, and harm reduction, and we take a multidisciplinary approach.

DPMP conducts rigorous research that provides independent, balanced, non-partisan policy analysis. The areas of work include developing the evidence-base for policy; developing, implementing, and evaluating dynamic policy-relevant models of drug issues; and studying policy-making processes.

Visit us →

Position Vacant: Clinical Nurse, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service

Position Title: Clinical Nurse

Location: Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, Mental Health Division, Cherbourg, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service

Remuneration: Permanent full time, $104,816 - $112,236 per annum, (NG6 (1))

We have an opportunity for a Clinical Nurse – Alcohol and Other Drugs Service to join our multidisciplinary team in Cherbourg. Working within our Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, you will deliver comprehensive nursing care to recipients in the local community. Approaching clients with integrity you will develop effective partnerships to ensure a high quality of service delivery. You will also have a commitment to continuous quality and service improvement and provide guidance and support to less experienced team members. If you enjoy working in a rural area, please apply!

Enquiries: Collette Ramsay, (07) 4162 0487

Job Ad Reference: DD2403554658

Application Details: https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-DD2403554658

Closing Date: Thursday, 2 May 2024

Hydromorphone for Opioid Use Disorder: Insights from the Feasibility of Opioid Injecting Trial

Date & Time: 01:00 pm Wed. 03 Apr 2024

Penington Institute invites you to join us for a discussion featuring an expert panel on the trial of short-acting injectable opioid treatment – IV hydromorphone.

Supervised Injectable Opioid Treatment is a proven intervention designed for individuals with opioid dependence when conventional treatments have not been effective. Research highlights its success in reducing illicit opioid use, curbing crime rates, and enhancing overall health and wellbeing.

Despite its benefits, injectable hydromorphone treatment remains a topic of controversy.

Uniting NSW. ACT, UNSW, and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, partnered on this initiative to evaluate the acceptability of injectable hydromorphone within an Australian context.

Do the results pave the way for a significant shift? Our expert panel will discuss various aspects of the trial, including its unique features, feasibility challenges, and potential pathways for future expansion.

Expert panel:

• Dr Craig Rogers, Senior Staff Specialist, Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincents Hospital (Sydney)
• Maureen Steel, Consumer participation worker, St Vincents Hospital (Sydney)
• Anna McVinish, Clinical Nurse Consultant, St Vincents Hospital (Sydney)
• Dr Jake Rance, Research Fellow, University of New South Wales

The panel discussion will be facilitated by our Senior Research Officer, Dr Jake Dizard. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover more about this unique trial.

Register now to secure your spot.

Position Vacant: Clinical Nurse, Kingaroy, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service

Position Title: Clinical Nurse

Location: Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, Mental Health Division, Kingaroy, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service

Remuneration: Temporary full time, up to 08 December 2024, 104,816 - $112,236 per annum, (plus superannuation and leave loading benefits), (Nurse Grade 6 (1))

We are seeking a supportive and understanding Clinical Nurse to join our Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, based in Kingaroy.

 About the Role

Working within our Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, you will deliver comprehensive nursing care to recipients in the local community. Approaching clients with open, honest communication you will develop effective partnerships to ensure a high quality of service delivery. You will also have a commitment to continuous quality and service improvement and provide guidance and support to less experienced team members.

Enquiries: Collette Ramsay, (07) 4162 0487

Job Ad Reference: DD2403554579

Application Details: Job search | Employment and jobs | Queensland Government (smartjobs.qld.gov.au)

Closing Date: Wednesday 24 April 2024

Developing an online Community of Practice for practitioners working in the alcohol and other drugs sector

The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney is excited to let APSAD members know that the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care have funded the development of an online Community of Practice for practitioners working in the Australian alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector.

Our objective is to establish a dynamic platform where professionals from multiple disciplines across health and social services can exchange knowledge, resources, and ideas regarding the management of co-occurring AOD and mental health conditions.    

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from professionals from multiple disciplines across health and social services (such as, AOD workers, general practitioners, addiction medicine specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, social workers, peer workers, pharmacists, residential support workers, nurses, other allied health professionals and people with lived or living experience of AOD use, or caring for someone experiencing problems related to their AOD use) to provide input on the development of this

Online Community of Practice via focus groups. Your valuable insights will play a pivotal role in shaping the development and refinement of this resource to ensure that it best meets practitioners needs. If you are interested, please complete the survey provided below and the project team will be in touch.

Expression of interest: https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3yHtAIoWsBxXdY2

For more information: Email Kathleen Palmer (Research Assistant, Matilda Centre) on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2024 NCETA Symposium

NCETA Symposium

10am - 4pm (ACDT) Thursday 7 March 2024 

In-person & online

Register to attend at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nceta-symposium-tickets-799058574707

NCETA Symposium program

The Global Drug Survey

The Global Drug Survey 2024 will run until 30 April. Your voice matters; complete the Global Drug Survey today! globaldrugsurvey.com  

The Global Drug Survey 2024 has officially launched! Be a part of the world's largest survey of drug use. Our aim is to ensure that the voices of those who use drugs are heard and considered in government decision-making processes. We want to make drug use safer for everyone.

Researchers from The University of Queensland are launching the world’s biggest drug survey, to gain insight into drug use around the globe. The Global Drug Survey was founded by Professor Adam Winstock from University College London and has been running annually since 2012.

This year the survey is led by Dr Cheneal Puljevic from UQ’s School of Public Health. “The aim of the Global Drug Survey is to make drug use safer for people, regardless of the drug’s legality,” Dr Puljevic said.

“We hope to gain insight into drug use across the world, so we can inform individuals and organisations about what’s going on in their communities and how best to reduce harms from drug use.”This year respondents will be asked about drug prices, decriminalisation, tobacco endgame policies, performance and image enhancing drugs, nitrous oxide use and drug use in nightlife and festival settings.

It will also be the first Global Drug Survey to ask questions about the use of illicit tobacco. Dr Puljevic said there had been very little international research into the tobacco black market. “Illegal tobacco use has exploded in the past year, with some tobacconists in Australia selling packets of cigarettes for as little as $5,” she said. “But we don’t really know much about who’s using illicit tobacco or where they're getting it from.”

The 2024 survey also includes questions about how peoples’ drug use would change if drugs like MDMA and cocaine were decriminalised. The anonymous online survey has been translated into 9 different languages and will be circulated worldwide.

It takes between 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

“The Global Drug Survey usually gets more than 100,000 respondents from more than 25 countries, so our goal is to exceed that this year,” Dr Puljevic said.

“We want as many diverse perspectives as possible, with respondents of all ages, genders and sexual orientations and from rural and urban areas.”

The Global Drug Survey 2024 will run until 30 April. Your voice matters; complete the Global Drug Survey today! globaldrugsurvey.com  

Media: UQ Faculty of Medicine, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +61 436 368 746.

Position Vacant - Occupational Therapist/ Psychologist/Social Worker

Position Title: Occupational Therapist/ Psychologist/Social Worker (Child and Youth Mental Health Access Team)

Location: Robina and Southport

Closing Date: Friday, 2 February 2024

Remuneration: $52.86 - $56.89 p.h

The Role

An opportunity has become available for an Occupational Therapist/Psychologist/Social Worker (Child and Youth Mental Health Services - Access Team) to join Gold Coast Health (GCH) where the focus of our 12 000-strong team is on providing world-class health care to people living in the Gold Coast, and northern New South Wales region of Australia.

You will

· Apply professional knowledge and skills in clinical decision making

· Contribute to the clinical education of students and other staff

· Provide comprehensive care to consumers with an acute mental health issue

· Coordinate the treatment planning, interventions, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic programs and support services

About you

To be successful in this position you will require:

· Possession of a tertiary degree in Occupational Therapy, Psychology or Social Work

· AHPRA Registration (Occupational Therapist/Psychologist only)

· Working with children check (Social Worker only)

· Drive Licence

· Evidence of vaccination, or be able to be vaccinated against and remain vaccinated against - Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and Hepatitis B

· Tuberculosis screening, to identify if the tuberculosis vaccination may be required

· Declaration of serious discipline history must be disclosed

· Criminal History Screening will be required for new employees (GCH will cover cost)

Benefits

· Flexible work options

· Career Development

· Salary Packaging

· Modern Facilities

· Diverse Work Culture

· Research Opportunities

· Up to 12.75% super

· 17.5% leave loading

Salary

· Permanent part time (53.2 hrs p.f)

· Base salary ranging from $52.86 - $56.89 per hour

About Us

The Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) is a free, confidential and voluntary service provided by Gold Coast Health. Our service is available to children and young people from birth to 25 years and their families who live in the Gold Coast region. Our clinics offer multi-disciplinary teams who are experienced in understanding and working with the emotional and behavioural problems facing children, young people and their families. Based in Robina and Southport.

Enquiries: Ashley Sturm

Job Ad Reference: GC538213

Application Details: Job search | Employment and jobs | Queensland Government (smartjobs.qld.gov.au)

Position Vacant: Psychologist - Advanced

Position Title: Psychologist - Advanced

Location: Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, Mental Health Division, Toowoomba, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service

Remuneration: Temporary full time for 12 months, $5395.60 - $5630.00 p.f., (HP5)

Darling Downs Health is seeking an Advanced Psychologist to join our dedicated Alcohol and Other Drugs Service (AODS) in Toowoomba. If you have a passion for leading the design and conduct of scientifically sound, ethical service evaluation and service improvement projects, please apply!

About the Role: As a member of a multidisciplinary team, you will deliver specialist psychology services to clients of AODS through the use of evidence based group and individual psychological therapy to complex co-morbid addiction and mental health clients. You will have advanced level interpersonal skills evidenced through your ability to negotiate, manage conflict and consult effectively with key stakeholders to achieve quality outcomes for clients.

Enquiries: Dan Spencer, (07) 4616 6100

Job Ad Reference: DD2311528991

Application Details: https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-DD2311528991

Closing Date: Thursday, 21 December 2023