APSAD Conference Highlights
The conference highlights from the 2012 Conference Convenor Lynda Berends
The conference theme, Culture of Change, reflected the shifting environment for alcohol and other drug policy, research and practice activities in Australia. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was a welcoming and efficient stage for a dynamic program.
Workshops focused on alcohol and other drug treatment needs of older people (60+ years) and managing co-morbid anxiety and depression in alcohol and drug treatment.
Keynote speakers challenged current thinking at policy and practice levels; Dr Alex Wodak encouraged delegates to pause and contemplate how taxed and regulated cannabis would look; Professor Alison Ritter highlighted motivations behind the pursuit of solutions to problems not necessarily well-defined; and Professor Robert West emphasised the benefits of offering alcohol and other drug clients’ assistance with tobacco use cessation.
CLICK HERE to view the full report
2012 APSAD AWARDS
Congratulations to the 2012 APSAD AWARDS WINNERS.
The annual APSAD Awards were held at the conference dinner at Etihad Stadium.
APSAD President Amanda Baker presented the Awards to the winners who are recognised as having made an outstanding contribution to reducing the harms associated with alcohol and other drug use in Australasia.
Senior Scientist Award - Prof Alison Ritter
Professor Alison Ritter is a leading drug policy researcher and Director of the Drug Policy Modelling Program (DPMP) at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at the University of New South Wales. She is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow (2012 to 2016) leading a collaborative, multi-disciplinary program of research on drug policy.
The Senior Scientist Award is in recognition of a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of substance use and misuse.
Early Career Award - Dr Adrian Carter Adrian
Dr Adrian Carter is a NHMRC Postdoctoral Fellow in Public Health investigating the way in which a neurobiological understanding of addiction affects how we think about and treat individuals with an addiction. He completed his doctoral dissertation on the ethical and public policy implications of addiction neuroscience - "Addiction neuroethics: The promises and perils of addiction neuroscience"
The Early Career Award is for excellence in research and practice relative to career opportunities.
First People's Award - Annalee Stearne
Annalee Stearne, a Nyungar from WA, has been working in the National Drug Research Institute’s Indigenous Australian Research Program since 2001. She has been involved in numerous evaluations of Indigenous Australian substance misuse interventions in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. Between September 2005 and November 2008, while located in Alice Springs she worked closely with Tangentyere Council’s Research Hub. In 2006, she was a member of the research team that won the National Drug and Alcohol Award for Excellence in Research, and a Curtin University Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence. Currently she sits on the board of Palmerston Association.
The First People's Award recognises an individual that has made an important contribution to the advancement of the health of Aboriginal, Islander or Māori people.
for further information on the APSAD AWARDS CLICK HERE
2012 APSAD Conference Poster Session
The calibre for this year’s Poster Session at the APSAD conference was outstanding with all disciplines from research to clinical being well represented.
APSAD would like to give thanks and acknowledge the Poster Tour Guides who generously gave up their time to take delegates on guided tours of the Posters.
Thank you to the Poster Session Tour Guides: Professor Jan Copeland; Professor Alison Ritter; Dr John Marsden, Professor Robert West, Dr Leanne Hides; A/Professor Kypros Kyri; Professor Robin Room;
Congratulations Nic Droste & Professor Peter Miller winning this year's Poster Prize!
Pre Drinking Increases Harm In The Night-Time Economy / But May Be Moderated By Restricted Trading Hours.
Findings from DANTE(1): Dealing with Alcohol-‐related Harm and the Night-Time Economy"
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Mr Nic Droste PhD Candidate Project Manager - POINTED Study, School of Psychology, Deakin University
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Professor Peter Miller Principal Research Fellow Commissioning Editor Addiction, School of Psychology, Deakin University
To view a copy of the winning poster CLICK HERE - and for further information regarding the Poster contact nic.droste@deakin.edu.au
Congratulations to the other nominees
Runner Up: Angela Rintoul
Hounourable Mentions: Rachel M Deacon; Alex Grove; Qian Wang; Kevin Foreman; David Allsop
Late Breakers Session Winner
Congratulations to Joseph Van Buskirk Research Officer - National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre | UNSW
  
Special mention and thank you to the Poster judges Alison Ritter, John Marsden, and Robert West
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Diane Forsyth 
Di is currently involved with Family Intervention Support Services with Uniting Care Community Qld, providing frontline support for families through periods of difficulty which adversely affect their functioning. In Di's spare time her major passion and distraction right now is her adorable grandson,Di's love of all things Latin, music and dancing; next on her 'to do-list' is learning the Tango, and perhaps a trip to Beunes Aires.
Di's training as a Psychotherapist has led her to take up careers in the non-government community services sector, firstly working with homeless and at risk young people, then in the drug and alcohol field and now in early intervention with families. Diane said "Being able to offer support and advocacy for vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society fits with my social justice principles and values".
CLICK HERE to read bio
Drug & Alcohol Review Update
The January issue of Drug and Alcohol Review includes an appreciation of Professor Griffith Edwards, who passed away on 13 September 2012. Professor Robin Room’s appreciation looks at Griffith’s strong emphasis on social factors and issues in his many contributions as a psychiatric scholar. Griffith’s final book review for the Journal is also included.
With strict packaging laws now in place for cigarettes sold in Australia, a commentary looks at Australia’s double standard in the discussion around Thailand’s proposal to have graphic warnings included on alcohol containers.
This issue also focuses on alcohol-related topics, with papers on international consensus in low risk drinking guidelines; on alcohol affordability worldwide; on increasing the price of alcohol to reduce high intensity drinking; on the relationship between sport, alcohol and violence; on the portrayal of alcohol in music videos; on outreach support in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services; and on the effect of increasing the minimum purchase age of alcohol in Thailand.
To sign up for Drug and Alcohol Review content alerts,CLICK HERE and follow the instructions.
On behalf of the Editorial Board, best wishes for the Holiday Season and New Year.
Other News....
Book discount offer from Wiley-Blackwell for APSAD Members 40% discount!
The publishers of Drug and Alcohol Review, Wiley-Blackwell are offering APSAD members a special 40% discount on print books (excluding higher education and school books) as a way of saying happy holidays.
Whether they are professional titles or summer reading books, you can find the perfect books for this holiday season.
CLICK HERE for info on how to register and purchase books
Do you have an Event coming up? Job opportunity? Research Information to share?
We encourage you to share your news with other APSAD Members in our Newsletter.
For all contributions and suggestions email: admin.officer@apsad.org.au
That's all for this month happy holidays and festive season!
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