The Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council

For those of you who are coming to #APSAD24, AADC's Policy and Projects Coordinator - James Dunne - will be presenting on Friday afternoon in Concurrent Session 6C. James' presentation on 'Challenging stigma: Best practices for AOD services in media engagement and lived and living experience storytelling' will showcase a much-needed new framework developed for the AOD sector over the last year to enhance the safety and wellbeing of those sharing their personal stories in the media. https://lnkd.in/gm4c8PHn

In other ACT-based news over the weekend, 'Drug overdose deaths double in ACT, pill-testing demand climbs' | The Canberra Times: https://lnkd.in/g9Se8gpX 

With #APSAD24 coming up in Canberra this week, it's time to orient yourself to all things AOD in the nation's capital 🙂. In the news today: 'It's been 12 months since small amounts of illicit drugs were decriminalised in the ACT' - ABC News - https://lnkd.in/guKD8R9Y 

Channel 7's Spotlight program made a strong case for proactive implementation of the National Quality Framework for Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services last night. AADC - supported by the recent report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement - has been calling on the Govt to prioritise the re-establishment of a national governance framework for the AOD sector in Australia to ensure coordination in the development, implementation & funding of National Strategy priorities. A national governance framework could oversee the implementation of the National Quality Framework across jurisdictions, which is clearly needed. Watch last night's Spotlight episode on Shalom House in full at: https://lnkd.in/gHsFu9Zf. Summary clip here: https://lnkd.in/gMJ3mxaq 

Minister Butler signals enhanced enforcement efforts for new legislation across multiple media outlets - 'Health minister warns retailers still selling illegal vapes could soon face prosecution, months after ban took force' - ABC News: https://lnkd.in/gCPTedzr

The need for a more proactive harm reduction response to increasing overdose deaths highlighted again today - 'Should cocaine and MDMA users carry naloxone, the medicine that prevents fatal opioid overdoses?' - The Guardian Aust: https://lnkd.in/gaG3tVTE

Today is R U OK? Day 2024. R U OK? has developed 4 conversation steps - & corresponding resources - to give you the skills & confidence to navigate a conversation with someone you're worried about. @ruokanyday #RUOKday

Today is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day - part of FASD Awareness Month - and we are showing our support by wearing red and sparking a conversation 👠. Diagnosis and intervention early can help people reach their full potential. To get involved and find out more visit: redshoesrock.org.au #FASDay #FASD #RedShoesRock 

& some disturbing news in the nation's capital on the eve of International Overdose Awareness Day 2024: 'ACT police warn Canberrans after multiple drug overdoses' | The Canberra Times - https://lnkd.in/gCgD5NCE #TogetherWeCan #EndOverdose #IOAD2024

Tomorrow (31 August) is International Overdose Awareness Day 2024. As we remember those we have lost - & stand with the friends and families left behind - it is also important to remember that every year in Australia, up to 500,000 people aren't able to access AOD treatment due to an ongoing lack of capacity & funding in the sector. & less than 2% of government funding allocated in responding to illicit drugs currently goes to harm reduction initiatives. There are some clear ways forward for governments - together, we can end the preventable tragedy of overdose. #TogetherWeCan #EndOverdose #IOAD2024