Women need clear and accurate information on alcohol risk
Australian research has found that people who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding want health professionals to ask them about alcohol consumption, and want clear and accurate information about the risks. To support conversations between health professionals and patients, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) has launched new information resources for health
RACGP Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) GP Education Program grant payment closes soon
The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) GP Education Program aims to help GPs better support and treat patients experiencing AOD related problems. All members have access to the program’s online Essential Skills Training as well as the opportunity to discuss AOD patient cases with their peers on Thursday evenings at AOD Connect: Project ECHO. Treatment
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: An update on policy and practice in Australia
Published by Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) information exchange, this paper describes the key policy and practice initiatives implemented in Australia since 2016, and the effect these initiatives have had on workforce capacity in relation to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It provides practitioners with information on the principles of effective practice when working with
Lismore, Casino & Kyogle Clinical Society to talk drug and substance use
On Tuesday 1 March, the Lismore, Casino & Kyogle Clinical Society will meet online to discuss drug and substance use. As voted by Lismore, Casino & Kyogle Clinical Society members, drug and substance use is one of the most serious health concerns in the local region. This is consistent with the 2018 Local Health Needs
Seeking Aboriginal organisations and community groups to undertake drug and alcohol programs
Healthy North Coast is seeking proposals from Aboriginal organisations and community groups to undertake Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drug and alcohol programs across Birpai, Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl, Bundjalung, Arakwal and Githabul communities. The objective is to commission place-based strategies with Aboriginal community controlled or Aboriginal organisations, specific to the North Coast region, that aim to reduce the use
NSW Health warns about potent powder posing as ecstasy
A drug that users may mistakenly think is MDMA (ecstasy) powder resulted in a number of people being admitted to hospital in June. NSW Health has warned that the drug — known as 25C-NBOMe (N-Bomb) — is a potent hallucinogenic and in Sydney had been misrepresented as MDMA. A stimulant, 4-fluoroamphetamine, has also been detected
GPs reminded of requirements for prescribing psychostimulants
A pharmacist in NSW cannot legally dispense a prescription for psychostimulant medication unless the prescription bears an authority number issued by the NSW Ministry of Health. This requirement is regardless of which state or territory a prescription is issued in. Mid North Coast pharmacist David Craddock said he had received scripts from GPs without the
New Recovery App Helps People Overcome Substance Use Issues
A new, free recovery app has been developed for people facing mental health and substance use challenges. A team of mental health and substance treatment experts have developed The Buttery Wellbeing App. The app increases the range of treatment options for people who have not yet entered treatment and those who have recently completed a
NSW Health Drug Warning – Adulterated Cocaine and Ketamine Circulating
Dangerously adulterated batches of the drugs cocaine and ketamine are circulating in NSW. They have already caused multiple hospitalisations. NSW Health has issued a warning as acetylfentanyl and fentanyl may be being used as an adulterant in cocaine and ketamine – or be misrepresented as one of these drugs. Acetylfentanyl has a similar potency to
Expressions of Interest: Addiction Medicine Specialist
Healthy North Coast commissions local services through the North Coast PHN program. This is a new way of working together to design services that best meet our community’s needs. We advertise opportunities for providers on our website and via TenderLink. You can register with TenderLink for free. As part of Healthy North Coast’s commissioning role, requests
Support Your Patients to Stop Drinking in Pregnancy
Do you have patients who are pregnant and need support to stop drinking? According to a national survey, 97% of Australian women want to be asked about alcohol use during pregnancy. Women who find it a challenge to stop drinking during pregnancy, however, may feel shame about it or worry they will be judged. By
Do You Treat Patients Who Drink Heavily or Misuse Prescribed Drugs?
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has developed an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) education program to help GPs support patients experiencing AOD related problems. Treatment Skills Training is available for RACGP members who work in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, in rural and remote practice, or treat a number of identified at risk
