Media

Calls for ACT to again lead prison syringe program debate reignited after AMA urges such initiatives nationally
The Canberra Times, 9 January 2017
Calls for the ACT to return to leading the national debate on safe needle exchange programs in prisons have been reignited after the Australian Medical Association urged all governments to instigate such programs around the nation on Monday.
For more information: See the article

Families suffer in drug treatment crisis
Australian Therapeutic Communities Association, 12 September 2016
This week’s Four Corners program rightly highlighted the issues many Australian families are facing in their desperate search for drug rehabilitation beds.
For more information: See the article

Emergency department demand increasing at double the population growth

Canberra Times, 23 November 2015
Emergency department presentations are increasing by at least twice the rate of population growth, according to Australian National University research. Research by the college has found more than half a million patients are presenting with alcohol related injuries each year.
For more information: See the article

Winnunga Aboriginal Health Service questions ACT government approach on our of home care
Canberra Times, 29 October 2015
Canberra’s Winnunga Aboriginal Health Service has asked the ACT government to explain why interstate providers are winning contracts over local organisations in a new early intervention child protection scheme.
For more information: See the article

Alcohol-fuelled assaults prompt Canberra nightclub lockout call
Canberra Times, 16 September 2015 
Peak alcohol safety bodies have called on the ACT government to introduce a 1am lockout policy at bars and nightclubs in Canberra after a spate of alcohol-induced assaults.
For more information: See the article

Calls for trailblazing ACT drug overdose reversal program to be rolled out nation-wide
ABC News, 31 August 2015
A trailblazing ACT initiative to prevent drug overdoses has been given a ringing endorsement by an independent panel of experts.
For more information: See the article

Drug trial praised for saving more than 50 Canberrans from overdoses
Canberra Times, 30 August 2015
More than 50 Canberrans have been saved from fatal heroin and opioid overdoses thanks to an Australia-first trial that has equipped users with take-home naloxone kits.
For more information: See the article

Tackling Ice, calls for more drug treatment services in the ACT
CityNews, 4 May 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) has released a paper advising the ACT Government to strengthen its response to rising methamphetamine harms by giving Canberrans access to drug treatment when they need it.
For more information: See the article

Urgent need for $1.6 million to treat ice addiction in Canberra
Canberra Times, 4 May 2015
The scourge of ice has left Canberra’s drug treatment services needing urgent investment of $1.6 million from next month’s ACT budget, as users increasingly suffer from the effects of the higher-purity methamphetamine.
For more information: See the article

Unacceptable’ rehab wait robbing drug users of will to change
Canberra Times, 19 April 2015
The ACT has the lowest number of rehabilitation providers in Australia, according to the Productivity Commission, and many have spoken out to The Canberra Times and Sunday Canberra Times in recent months about the difficult situation they are trying to operate in.
For more information: See the article

Ice taskforce welcomed in the ACT despite concerns for treatment facilities
Canberra Times, 8 April 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body has welcomed the launch of a national taskforce to restrict the influence of ice in the territory, despite concerns about a diminished focus on harm minimisation.
For more information: See the article

Budget cuts to Health Flexible Funds threaten vital services
ATODA, PHAA, NACCHO, CATSINaM, ADCA, Australian Health Care Reform Alliance, ACOSS, NADA, QNADA, APSAD, National Rural Health Alliance Inc, 30 March 2015
A coalition of eleven peak organisations from the health and community sectors is calling on the Australian Government to scrap plans to cut nearly $200 million in funding to key health initiatives from the end of the financial year. The foreshadowed cuts would reduce the capacity of non-government organisations and peak bodies to deliver services across the country and to provide advice and support for reform in health.
For more information: See the media release

Prescription painkiller ‘silent epidemic’ demands cultural change
Canberra Times, 7 March 2015
A “silent epidemic” of prescription painkiller use across the nation will end only if doctors and patients make a cultural change, a Canberra toxicology expert has warned.
For more information: See the article

Drug body criticises ‘narrow-minded’ debate on medical marijuana
Canberra Times, 6 March 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body has called on the government to legalise medical marijuana and criticised some practitioners for being too narrow-minded about reform.
For more information: See the article

Canberra community services bow to reverse major Federal Government funding cuts
ABC News, 4 March 2015
Canberra’s peak community organisation says ACT services are in chaos following the Commonwealth’s move to slash more than $1 million from annual grants.
For more information: See the article

Call for ACT government to help disadvantaged Canberrans quit smoking
Canberra Times, 2 March 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body has called on the territory government to address a disparity in smoking rates among disadvantaged communities after the release of alarming research from the Australian National University.
For more information: See the article

Rise in drugged ACT motorists prompts calls for better education about drug driving
Canberra Times, 15 February 2015
The ACT’s peak drug body has renewed calls for greater awareness of drugged driving, after a jump in the number of motorists nabbed at roadside drug tests.
For more information: See the article

More health groups call for e-cigarettes ban despite objections from retailers
Canberra Times, 10 February 2015
The Cancer Council and the Australian Medical Association have called for the restricted sale of non-nicotine e-cigarettes and advertising bans consistent with tobacco regulations, despite objections from retailers.
For more information: See the article

E-cigarette reform ignites controversy with 242 submissions and accusations of bias
Canberra Times, 2 February 2015
The ACT Government has been swamped with submissions from health and industry groups regarding the potential changes to the use and sale of personal vaporisers or e-cigarettes.
For more information: See the article

ACT leads Australia on alcohol action but no territory passes 50 per cent
Canberra Times, 8 January 2015
The ACT has been ranked first in the country for its alcohol policies, drink driving laws, Liquor Act reviews and a risk-based licensing fee system for liquor outlets but the territory has still failed to receive a pass on a national alcohol policy scorecard.
For more information: See the article 

ACT leading way in alcohol policy, national scorecard says
ABC News, 8 January 2015
The ACT Government is leading the nation when it comes to alcohol policy according to a new national scorecard.
For more information: See the article

Chief Minister gonged for ACT alcohol policy
CityNews, 8 January 2015
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has expressed his joy at winning an Action on Alcohol award.
For more information: See the article

Health Minister Simon Corbell says ACT will further tighten alcohol laws
Canberra Times, 8 January 2015
Mr Corbell has revealed reforms to reduce alcohol-related harm in the ACT are being considered by the government and he anticipated a decision would be made later this year.
For more information: See the article

Ice Taskforce Report: Increased Commonwealth Investment in Specialist Treatment Sector Welcome (9 December 2015)

Alcohol and other drugs peak bodies’ role in building capacity producing a more effective, efficient and sustainable sector (9 September 2015)

First expert meeting of the National ‘Ice’ Taskforce: We know what to do: give communities help and the facts (5 May 2015)

Canberra leads the national conversation: World-leading USA researcher discusses therapeutic/medicinal cannabis (5 March 2015)

 ACT Government 48% grade on the National Alcohol Policy Scorecard (January 2015)

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