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

Position Vacant: Clinical Nurse Consultant - Drug and Alcohol Brief Intervention

Position Title: Clinical Nurse Consultant - Drug and Alcohol Brief Intervention (DABIT)

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

Remuneration: Permanent full time, $4933.10 - $5355.90 p.f., (Nurse Grade 7)

We are looking for Clinical Nurse Consultants to join our Alcohol and Other Drugs Service team in Toowoomba. You will be an advanced level clinician, with high level specialist knowledge in addiction treatment.

Working within our Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, you will provide consultation, assessment and treatment services for persons with alcohol and other drug use disorders across Darling Downs Health. As the Clinical Nurse Consultant, you will utilise your specialist knowledge and experience in addiction treatment to ensure best practice health outcomes for clients. You will be an expert at positively engaging, motivating and mentoring team members and be a critical thinker and problem solver.

Enquiries: Dan Spencer, (07) 4616 6100

Job Ad Reference: DD2311523038

Application Details: https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-DD2311523038

Closing Date: Thursday 7 December 2023

Open letter in support of the Voice to Parliament

APSAD has joined more than 125 leading health and medical organisations that have signed on to an Open Letter to the Australian Public in support of the Voice to Parliament (September 2023)

APSAD unequivocally supports the Voice to Parliament

The Uluru Statement from the Heart called for 'the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution' following extensive consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in 2017.

Now with the referendum to be held on 14 October 2023 to take action and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Nations Peoples of our nation, APSAD supports enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.

The APSAD Council acknowledges that different views exist within the community and that respectful informed debate and freedom of expression are actively encouraged. However, the Council unequivocally supports the Voice to Parliament and encourages all APSAD members to educate themselves before casting their vote.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart have put together an educational FAQ about the referendum.

 APSAD has joined more than 125 leading health and medical organisations that have signed on to an Open Letter to the Australian Public in support of the Voice to Parliament (September 2023)

2 x Positions - The Mental Health Commission (WA) is seeking to appoint candidates

The Mental Health Commission (WA) is seeking to appoint candidates to two exciting and important roles within
their Next Step Alcohol and Other Drug Services program in Perth.
1. Director Clinical Services - Next Step (Perth) (https://www.ccentricgroup.com/jobs/director-clinical-services-2/)
2. Consultant Addiction Medicine/Consultant Addiction Psychiatry - (Peel – Mandurah / Rockingham, WA) (https://www.ccentricgroup.com/jobs/consultant-addiction-medicine-consultant-addiction-psychiatrist/)

A generous relocation package is available to the successful candidates. This is a great opportunity to join an
organisation working to establish mental health, alcohol and other drug systems that meet the needs of Western
Australia’s population, at a pivotal time.
If you are ready for a change and looking to take the next step in your career, we'd be delighted to explore these
roles with you.

To obtain a detailed information pack and to explore these roles further, please contact;
Pam Lubrainschik, Managing Consultant at Ccentric Group, 0452 295 088 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or
Grant Jacobs, Senior Consultant at Ccentric Group, 0420 899 811 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Share your thoughts in a 20-minute online survey about attitudes towards psychedelic-assisted therapy

Drug and Alcohol Review - Call for Papers

2023 Annual APSAD Awards

The 2023 APSAD Awards for Excellence in Science, Research, & Practice

APSAD is pleased to announce that the 2023 Annual Awards for Excellence in Science, Research, & Practice is calling for nominations. The Awards will be presented in Adelaide at the 42nd APSAD Conference in November.

As Australia's leading multidisciplinary organisation for professionals involved in the drug and alcohol field, these prestigious Awards are our unique celebration of the outstanding efforts and achievements of individuals and teams who provide devoted and unstinting service to their communities in diverse fields and go unrecognised.

Acknowledging dedication and excellence in our sector is a key part of the APSAD Awards, as well as encouraging future generations of great researchers and clinicians.

The Awards are nominated by APSAD’s members and decided by the APSAD Awards Subcommittee. The recipient of the Early Career Award will be announced in September, with the Awardee being given the opporunity to present a keynote at the 2023 APSAD Adelaide Conference.

Head to the Awards page for more information.