Events

11th International Symposium on Substance Abuse Treatment

Organiser: European Working group on Drug Oriented Research and European Federation of Therapeutic Communities

Location:

Växjö, Sweden


Website: Stubstance Abuse Treatment Symposium

Start Date: 6 October 2008

End Date: 8 October 2008

The aim is to gather both researchers and practitioners within the field of substance abuse treatment in Europe. The symposium will provide opportunity to explore the obstacles and possibilities of knowledge development within this field.


National Alcohol Action Plan - Wellington Fourm

Organiser: New Zealand Drug Foundation

Location: St Johns in the City Chhurch, Willis Street, Wellington

Website: National Alcohol Action Plan

Start Date: 8 October 2008

End Date: 8 October 2008

Five years since the National Alcohol Strategy has expired, government agencies tasked with reducing alcohol and other drug related harm have presented their draft action plan on alcohol and they want your views.

The Interagency Committee on Drugs' (IACD) draft Alcohol Action Plan "presents a proposed plan of action to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm in New Zealand.  It articulates a strategic direction to draw together existing plans, policies, activities and interventions across many different settings in New Zealand, and to inform future work.  Most importantly, it outlines the actions proposed to reduce alcohol-related harm and identifies who is responsible for leading and contributing to their implementation."

The new draft plan does provide some clarity about the key pieces of work leading agencies, such as Health, Police, ALAC and ACC, have planned for the next 4-5 years. These agencies are seeking feedback on their proposals, specifically:

  • where efforts should be focused in the next five years to make the biggest difference in reducing alcohol-related harm

  • whether the actions currently identified should have the highest priority

  • what gaps you see in what is currently proposed and your ideas for addressing these gaps.

It's important that those interested in alcohol policy and plans provide feedback on this draft action plan.  Details for making submissions, which are due by 7 November 2008, are outlined on the National Drug Policy website.

To support the consultation process, the Drug Foundation is hosting an open forum for any interested group or individual to meet and discuss the action plan with IACD agencies. Our forum will be held on Wednesday 8 October, 10.00am-midday at St Johns in the City Church, Wellington (a light lunch will be provided).  For more information and to register for this forum please contact Catherine Milburn (04 802 6367, catherine.milburn@drugfoundation.org.nz). Please advise attendance asap as seats are limited.

Confirmed IACD agencies attending the Wellington consultation will be ALAC, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport and Te Puni Kokiri. We are hoping to get two more IACD agencies to attend. Please indicate which IACD agency is most relevant to your concerns.

Please note that for this forum to be successful interested groups or individuals should familiarise themselves with the draft document in order to stimulate robust discussion on relevant concerns. Electronic copies of the draft Action Alcohol Plan and submission form are available from the National Drug Policy Website. www.ndp.govt.nz.


The Journey Forward: Mental Health and Addictions Plan

Organiser: Capital and Coast District Health Board

Location: Pataka Museum of Arts and Cultures, Porirua City.

Website:

Start Date: 15 October 2008

End Date: 15 October 2008

Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards are working together to plan the delivery of addiction services across the region that will address and meet the needs of our communities.

The Addictions working group extends and invite to those interested to meet together to share progress and participate in the development of a regional addictions strategic plan.

Agenda:

  • History and progress to date

  • Presentation of draft strategic plan

  • Feedback and ideas on the plan

  • Where to from here

Please RSVP to 04 384 3303 or Journeyforward@kites.co.nz

Central Region Networks Addictions Forum

Organiser: Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand

Location: Convention Centre, Palmerston North

Website: Central Region Network Addictions Forum

Start Date: 3 November 2008

End Date: 4 November 2008

This is an opportunity to meet with colleagues working in the alcohol and other drugs scene and benefit from the following:

  • Network with all sectors of the addictions field

  • Learn about new services in the region

  • Participate with consumers in discussing addiction issues

  • Receive updates about changes and key issues in the region

  • Have opportunities to question and debate the current top issues around addiction


Adolescent Health 2008

Organiser: Centre for Adolescent Health

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Website: Centre for Adolescent Health

Start Date: 5 November 2008

End Date: 7 November 2008

The Centre for Adolescent Health presents the 7th annual Australian and New Zealand Adolescent Health conference.

This conference theme is “My space, your space, our space: exploring the future of adolescent health together” and will focus on examining new knowledge and understandings around young people, and how we work towards improving their health and wellbeing.

Whether it’s medical imaging, social networking or online learning, its time to share knowledge and experience across professions, disciplines and sectors.


Addiction Sector Leadership Days 2008

Organiser: -

Location: 6 November, Wellington

Website:

Start Date: 6 November 2008

End Date: 6 November 2008

An opportunity for managers, funders, planners and senior clinicians to debate and discuss important issues facing the addiction treatment sector.


Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2008

Organiser: APSAD

Location: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Australia.

Website: APSAD

Start Date: 23 November 2008

End Date: 26 November 2008

APSAD 2008 will feature an exciting program of international and national keynote speakers who will focus on new treatment prevention and policy approaches to the drug and alcohol field. A broad range of papers will be presented from renowned national and international experts in the latest cutting-edge drug and alcohol research.

The APSAD 2008 Conference will feature an exciting range of clinical workshops/master classes to enhance skills acquisition and knowledge transfer. There will also be a significant program of poster presentations to increase the ability of presenters and delegates to interact and discuss the research findings from those research projects of most relevance to them.


Dangerous Comsumptions Colloquium 2008: Manufacturing Consumptions

Organiser: University of Auckland

Location: School of Population Health, University of Auckland

Website: Manufacturing Consumptions

Start Date: 4 December 2008

End Date: 5 December 2008

The sixth international two-day colloquium Dangerous Consumptions (dcVI), will be focused on papers that explore the importance of industrial relationships across the areas of gambling, alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, body enhancements, fast foods, illegal drug use and other areas where consumption of pleasurable commodities creates harm.

A key theme of the colloquium will be to move beyond the traditional drug- and behaviour-specific areas of inquiry and to develop new questions about dangerous consumptions as a generic concept in fields that benefit from the application of contemporary social theory and reflexive social science approaches.