Oct 09 Vol 7. No. 4
Size: 3.9 MB Pages: 32
October 2009's feature articles include:
- From happy hour to hospital: alcohol's impact on emergency departments
- Violence and vomit: how alcohol accords can reclaim city streets
- Celebrating the sector: the 2009 National Drug and Alcohol Awards
- Special two-page interview: Professor Ian Webster
- Dramatic shift in drinking attitudes: latest public opinions from the AER Foundation
- Drowning in red tape: NGO's burden of compliance
- Research digest: the use and abuse of prescribed opioids
Ever since PM Kevin Rudd talked about binge drinking early in 2008, alcohol has rarely been off the public agenda. And the past three months have been no different. We have seen the passing of the controversial ‘alcopops tax’, and public concern about the harms caused by alcohol has escalated, according to a recent opinion survey by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (AER). Following public opinion surveys by both organisations in 2008, Of Substance has joined forces with the AER to bring you the results of this annual poll.
It’s hardly surprising this trend is taking place. Our article on page 12 looks at the ongoing battle over the night-time safety of city streets, especially around licensed premises. Visit the Emergency Department of any hospital and you will also quickly spot people affected by alcohol or who have been involved in an alcohol related incident (see page 8).
In this issue, we also celebrate the dedicated people who work with substance issues. Each year, the National Drug and Alcohol Awards celebrate the many success stories of this work. We bring you full coverage of all the winners, including a very special interview with one of the sector’s elder statesmen, Professor Ian Webster.
Readers will notice that in recent issues, Of Substance’s look has been evolving. We’ve tested a couple of different styles, and we hope you like the end result of our experimentation.
Our new jobs website for the sector also came online in the past couple of months. This provides a great opportunity for drug sector organisations to have a central forum to advertise vacant positions, and also gives jobseekers a one-stop site to access jobs from all over Australia. Visit www.jobsofsubstance.com.au to check it out. As always, we welcome your feedback. Please Contact Us.
