DANA Executive

Cairns turned on perfect conditions for its first DANA Meeting.  The above average rainfall and cyclones of recent times have gone for now leaving nothing but tropical splendour.

Some 26 members and guests gathered at the Novotel Oasis Resort for this inaugural meeting. Several had travelled a long way to attend: Tully, Innisfail and Mareeba to mention a few.

The topic for the evening was “Balancing Pain and Dependence:  Managing persistent pain, prescription opiate misuse and opiate dependence”. Guest speakers addressed this topic according to their clinical interests and expertise:

• Dr Clifton Timmins        – Anaesthetist and pain specialist           (Cairns)
• Dr Leann Mortimer       – Addiction specialist                (Cairns)
• Dr Sue Ballantyne         – Director Drugs Dependence Unit       (Brisbane)

Each of the presenters stimulated a very lively discussion which continued well past dessert and coffee!

Thank you to Morag Goodinson, one of our DANA members who works in Cairns, for getting the word out to everyone about the meeting and thank you to Jo McMaster from Reckit Benkiser for her support of the meeting.

The good folk from the Australian Pain Management Association (APMA) donated a few “Chronic Pain” DVDs for the Cairns meeting. Some were given out on the night but two remain. The first two people from North Queensland to contact DANA may have a copy. Send an email with you postal address to [email protected]. (These DVDs have been claimed 10.5.11)

Photographs of the evening are available by following this link.

Rebecca Munt is helping organise a drug and alcohol use in diabetes symposium for a National Australian Diabetes Educators Association conference in Perth this year. She is wondering if any DANA members may be aware of anyone around Australia who may be researching in the area of drug and alcohol use and its impact on diabetes management or drug and alcohol use and its precursor to diabetes. Any contacts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Rebecca on the details below if you are able to help…

Rebecca Munt RN, BN (Hons), PhD candidate, MRNCA
Lecturer…School of Nursing & Midwifery
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide, S.A. 5001
Phone – (08) 82015749
Email – [email protected]

The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses is pleased to invite you to participate in our Perinatal Mental Health for Nurses & Midwives online CPD program.

This is a 3 hour program covering issues such as:

– postnatal depression (and psychopharmacology in the perinatal period)

– grief and loss

– substance abuse

– domestic violence

– mental health problems

– difficult transition to parenthood and more

They also introduce a simple, non-directive, woman-centred approach to the care of women’s mental health in the perinatal period.

The program is just $33 (including GST) and you will receive a Certificate of Participation, which you can use towards your CPD requirement for national registration.

They are in the process of submitting the program for endorsement by the various colleges and will advise you when this process is completed.

Access the program through this link or via our home page.

The Strategy will cover both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Priority will be given to the drugs that cause the most harm.

Closing date for Submissions: Friday 27 May 2011

NCETA would like to invite interested parties to submit their views on the issue of pharmaceutical drug misuse.

DANA will be making a submission and would like to invite contributions from DANA members.

A Discussion Paper has been developed to provide background contextual information and to inform and guide the national consultation process.  A copy of the background Discussion Paper, and a detailed literature review, are downloadable from this link.

Should you wish to participate in this submission please use the “speak your mind” option below to leave your comment or alternatively email comments by May 1st 2011 to [email protected]

Anex invites you to discuss the complex issues surrounding illicit drug use, pregnancy and parenting. These free forums will be conducted by Anex and the Women’s Alcohol and Drug Services, Royal Women’s Hospital.

The forum will be held on the following dates and locations:

All forums commence at 1pm and conclude at 4pm. Please be aware that to secure your place at a forum you will need to register online as demand for places is expected to be high.

April
Shepparton: 20 April – Primary Care Connect

May
Warrnambool: 3 May – Warrnambool Community & Health Complex
Mildura: 5 May – Sunraysia Community Health Service
Whitehorse: 11 May – Whitehorse Community Health Service
Wodonga: 12 May – Gateway Community Health
Geelong: 17 May – City Hall
Bendigo: 18 May – Bendigo Community Health Services
Ballarat: 25 May – Ballarat Community Health
Melbourne: 26 May – Anex
June
Morwell: 2 June – Latrobe Community Health Service
Springvale: 8 June – Greater Dandenong Community Health Service

You can sign-up for the session by visiting this link:

Pregnancy and parenthood are major life events that create a wide range of emotions for women, their partners and family.

Illicit drug use can add further stress to an already challenging situation, giving rise to complex issues and experiences.

Research conducted by Anex shows that women who are pregnant or parenting and using illicit drugs are often isolated from mainstream health services and community support. They do not have ready access to accurate information, or know how to find and link with good pregnancy health care.

In addition, many women and their partners fear discrimination, judgement and the involvement of authorities. They may not access health services because of ignorance or fear.

Women using illicit drugs and/or alcohol have special physical and emotional health needs which must be carefully managed to ensure both mother and child are healthy.

A copy of our resource ‘Keeping mum and baby happy and healthy’ will be available at each forum.

Who should attend:

The forum is particularly relevant to service providers that engage with pregnant women who are at risk of, or might use illicit drugs.

In December 2010 we advised DANA members about  “Anex “ and the “With Convictions” paper.

John Ryan fro Anex has contacted DANA and writes “Your willingness to commit support for the establishment of a trial of controlled sterile needle and syringe provision in prisons is greatly appreciated.

Such a pilot program is under active consideration in the Australian Capital Territory. During the NSW election campaign the Liberal-National Coalition stated that it would also consider a trial. Being open-minded to such a program is to be commended.

…

On behalf of the Anex Board I again thank you very much for assisting with this important public health issue.

He also sent a media release to the Canberra Times. You can read it in full by clicking on the tab under ATODS in the media.