Prevention of Pharmaceutical drug misuse [pdf - 927.66Kb]
Issues paper number 7, by Suzanne Nielsen and Nicola Thompson, Turning Point. December 2008.

Alcohol and Drug Centre, reviews some of the prevention and intervention strategies that are being developed to address the harms associated with pharmaceutical drug misuse and abuse, with a focus on prescription opioids and benzodiazepines.

2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: detailed findings [webpage]
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Drug statistics series no. 22. December 2008.

This report extends the analysis presented in the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: first results by providing more detailed information on drug use prevalence, drug-related behaviours and incidents, and support for drug-related policy and legislation. This report, along with others in the Drug Statistics Series, will be a useful resource for policy-makers, planners and researchers interested in drug-related matters.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: a systematic review of the literature [pdf - 3.93Mb]
Lisa Elliott, Kristina Coleman, Arsupol Suebwongpat & Sarah Norris. Health Services Assessment Collaboration (HSAC) 2008.

This systematic review of the literature on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) evaluates the relative effectiveness of various prevention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of FASD. The document also provides a less detailed review of the diagnosis and management literature, and provides information on the economic burden of FASD. The review was commissioned by the Ministry of Health to inform development of an action plan to address FASD in New Zealand.

Future Service Directions : A five year plan 2008/09 – 2012/13 [pdf - 4.33Mb]
Alcohol and Other Drug Services Tasmania, December 2008.

The Future Service Directions – A five year plan provides a strategic focus for the alcohol, tobacco and other drugs service sector in Tasmania for the next five years. This plan identifies the areas where the Tasmanian Government will make significant investment in service delivery to ensure a quality and sustainable system designed to support people who have a substance abuse issue in the safest and most effective manner.

 A new blueprint for alcohol and other drug treatment services 2009-201 [pdf - 1.62Mb]
Victorian Government Department of Human Services, December 2008

A new blueprint for alcohol and other drug treatment services, 2009–2013 establishes a client-centred and service-focused reform agenda for Victoria’s alcohol and other drug treatment service system. Driving the need for change are the shifting patterns of harmful alcohol and other drug use in the community. Alcohol, cannabis and amphetamines are now the main drugs being used by people seeking treatment. Multiple health issues, the most prevalent being mental health problems, affect a substantial proportion of our clients. Families are increasingly seeking our help and young people are identifying a range of other health, welfare, housing, education and employment needs that impact upon the success of their treatment programs.

 A review of Australian public opinion surveys on illicit drugs  [pdf - 1.92Mb]
Francis Matthew-Simmons, Stephanie Love and Alison Ritter. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. December 2008

Public opinion can be an important determinant of social policy – governments are more likely to pursue policy options when they perceive public opinion to be supportive. In the illicit drugs area public opinion may be a more important factor in contributing to government policy because it is an area that often carries high emotional valence. The aims of this review are threefold:
• To identify the current state of public opinion in relation to illicit drugs in Australia by examining recent public opinion research.
• To determine how the public’s opinion has changed over time.
• To compare different public opinion surveys and to understand why the results may differ.

 Group Analysis of Aboriginal Child Death Review Cases in which Chronic Neglect is Present [pdf - 420.61Kb]
Katie Francis, Teresa Hutchins, Sherry Saggers, Dennis Gray. A report prepared for the Western Australian Child Death Review Committee. National Drug Research Institute June 2008

The purpose of this group analysis – which was commissioned by the Western Australian Child Death Review Committee (CDRC) – was to enhance the quality and
timeliness of intervention by the Western Australian child protection service system in future instances where chronic neglect is a major presenting risk factor.

 Data items and definitions: 2008 National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data (NOPSAD) collection data guide [webpage]
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 29 January 2009.

This Data Guide has been prepared as a reference for those involved in collecting and supplying data for the National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data (NOPSAD) collection. It should be particularly useful to staff in Australian government, state and territory departments and researchers. This collection is one of a number of data sources that provide a picture of alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia.

[Page updated: 8 December 2009]