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.

The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs 2011 Conference (13-16 November 2011, Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, Tasmania) will feature a rich program of national and international speakers sharing new insights in neuroscience, interventions, policy innovations and emerging challenges for our sector. For the first time, the conference will include a satellite program from our sister organisation, the European Opiate Addiction Treatment Association, which will bring extra opportunities to interact with our international colleagues.

In addition, it will offer a range of presentations and workshops that have international relevance.

For more information please visit the conference website, www.apsadconference.com.au or email. [email protected]

TRENDS IN AUSTRALIAN DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE: Information and challenges  The Illicit Drugs Reporting System (IDRS) and the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System

 The Illicit Drugs Reporting System (IDRS) and the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) are currently the most comprehensive and detailed Australian monitoring system of the illicit drug markets. Both systems monitor the price, purity and availability of the major drug classes including: heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis in respective samples of people who regularly inject drugs (PWID) and regular ecstasy users (REU). These sentinel sample groups have been chosen due to their knowledge and entrenchment in the drug market, they are seen as being most apt at reporting any changes that may be occurring in the drug market. The strategic nature of the systems also allows investigation into the use and harms associated with these drugs.

Due to the dynamic nature of the Australian market, users are often changing their preference to particular drugs being used, differing combinations as well as routes of administration. This poses a challenge for the differing service providers that deal with this group. This presentation will therefore aim to: inform treatment personnel of the changing patterns of drug use, report challenges that other stakeholders such as first aid officers, nightclub owners, clinicians have reported as well as discuss further anticipated challenges that may arise for example with the introduction of new emerging psychoactive substances known as Mephedrone.

Thursday 17th March 2011 …TIME: 1400 – 1600

VENUE: Education & Conference Centre Macquarie (Northern Sydney Education Centre)

PRESENTERS: Natasha Sindicich – B Psych (Hons) and Jenny Stafford – B Nursing, MPH

 Bookings: June – 988 75597 or via [email protected]

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released eight new reports :

These data bulletins summarise the main findings from the 2008-09 Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set (AODTS-NMDS) for states and territories. More detailed information about the 2008-09 collection and its national findings can be found in the publication Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia 2008-09: report on the National Minimum Data Set (AIHW 2010)…

http://www.aihw.gov.au/drugs/publications.cfm

·        Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Western Australia 2008-09: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) AIHW catalogue number (HSE95).

·        Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Victoria 2008-09: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) AIHW catalogue number (HSE104).

·        Alcohol and other drug treatment services in the Northern Territory 2008-09: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) AIHW catalogue number (HSE98).

·        Alcohol and other drug treatment services in the Australian Capital Territory 2008-09: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) AIHW catalogue number (HSE96).

·        Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Tasmania 2008-09: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) AIHW catalogue number (HSE103).

·        Alcohol and other drug treatment services in South Australia 2008-09: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) AIHW catalogue number (HSE102).

·        Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Queensland 2008-09: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) AIHW catalogue number (HSE99).

·        Alcohol and other drug treatment services in New South Wales 2008-09: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) AIHW catalogue number (HSE97).