It’s incredible to think we’re almost one quarter of the way through 2019! Over the past month, pill testing continues to dominate the national media, particularly in Tasmania following Speaker of the House of Assembly Sue Hickey’s public announcement that she supports pill testing.

We continue to focus on leading discussions to facilitate a trial of pill testing in Tasmania, with the ATDC hosting an information session between Tasmania’s major music festivals and Pill Testing Australia last week. This session was a success, and the facts and information shared at this session will assist us in our continued efforts to get support for a Tasmanian trial. While pill testing has been top of mind, there is a range of other exciting initiatives the ATDC is currently working on to support the work of our members, and our sector.

Our work to progress the development of a consumer representative organisation is on track, with project officer, Tracey Wing finishing some preliminary consultations with consumers to help inform the purpose, functions and shape of the organisation. If data is your interest, stay tuned for an update at the end of April when we hope to have more insight into whether the Tasmanian Government is going to partner with us, and Primary Health Tasmania to progress a shared data system. We certainly hope they do. In the meantime, we will have your data-needs covered with the release of the high-level results of the 2018 Workforce Survey to happen in the coming weeks.

The Australian Drug Foundation has also announced the ATDC as a Local Drug Action Team. This is wonderful news, with the team set to undertake work to reignite the YourCall resource, investigate opportunities to strengthen the processes for how Tasmanians can respond to liquor licence applications, and hopefully investigate a Tasmanian focused stigma and discrimination campaign.

Finally, it’s been a big 12 months for training and development with the ATDC delivering a packed calendar of sessions . You told us you wanted a session on working with families, and we’ve responded with a sensational session to be delivered by 360 Edge in Hobart and Devonport. Places are heavily subsidised for ATDC members, and if you haven’t already confirmed your spot, register through the link below.

Remember, an easy way to keep across what’s happening at the ATDC and our sector, is to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow me on Twitter by finding me at ‘ItsAlisonLai’.

Wishing everyone a wonderful month,

Alison Lai
Chief Executive Officer