The Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council (ATDC) 2021 Conference Courage. Change. Impact. will challenge, engage and inspire over 140 delegates from around Tasmania with a high quality and stimulating program in Hobart, on June 9th and 10th.
ATDC chief executive Alison Lai said the conference had been three years in the making and that choosing the theme of courage, change and impact was purposeful.
“Change is constant, sometimes it is planned and sometimes not, but it often requires courage to overcome challenges, pitch a different approach or reshape a project,” Mrs Lai said.
“We want to not only showcase examples of best-practice but shine light on the people courageously driving change to deliver impact across the Tasmanian alcohol, tobacco and other drugs sector,”
Several high-profile speakers are on the conference program, including Iain McGregor, Professor of Psychopharmacology and Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics in the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney.
Medicinal cannabis use is rapidly expanding in Australia, bringing with it increasing concerns from patients around safety behind the wheel and prosecution from positive roadside drug testing.
As the director of a Lambert Initiative research program with a major focus on cannabis and driving, Professor McGregor will discuss this research and the implications for drug policy and cannabis users.
Professor Dan Lubman AM, Executive Clinical Director, Turning Point & Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre, will deliver the opening keynote address on the national Rethink Addiction campaign, confronting stigma and harnessing the power of real stories.
Prof Lubman a national expert in the field of addiction, and most recently well-known for his involvement in the SBS documentary series Addicted Australia.
With addiction continuing to be one of the most stigmatized health conditions globally, Addicted Australia follows the journey of 10 Australians and opens the door on the realities of addiction to provide a deeper understanding of the disorder, to challenge the stigma and show what effective treatment and recovery looks like.
Other keynote speakers include Chris Gough (Executive Director, Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy), Prof Nicole Lee (Director, 360Edge), Mark Chenery (Co-founder, Common Cause Australia).
In an example of changes already taking place in the sector, Launceston City Mission will be making a special announcement about upcoming improvements to residential treatment services.
From July 1, 2021, Launceston City Mission’s residential, alcohol and drug services are transitioning to become smoke-free including, Missiondale and Serenity House.
“Missiondale and Serenity House provide very important services for those in the community requiring drug and alcohol rehabilitation.” City Mission chief executive Stephen Brown said.
“For years we thought it was a step too far to ask our clients to give up smoking, however, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.”
“By going smoke-free we anticipate that 25 per cent of our clients will have improved outcomes when recovering from all substances at once,” he said.
“While we know this transition will be a challenging one, we are excited to welcome the health, financial and social benefits it will have for our clients and services.”
Interview opportunity
Thursday 10 June 2021, 10:30-10:45am
Mezzanine foyer, Hotel Grand Chancellor, 1 Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania
Available for interview:
- Alison Lai – CEO, ATDC
- Prof Iain McGregor – Professor of Psychopharmacology & Academic Director, Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney
- Prof Dan Lubman AM – Executive Clinical Director, Turning Point & Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre (due to COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria, Prof Lubman will not be physically present at this time but is available for pre-arranged interviews via screen or phone)
- Stephen Brown – CEO, City Mission
- Abby Smith – Director, QUIT Tasmania
Media contact:
- Liz Knox – Communications and Engagement Coordinator, ATDC – liz@atdc.org.au
More information about the 2021 ATDC Conference can be found at atdcconference.com.au
Launceston City Mission
City Mission seeks to provide assistance to all who have a physical, emotional, social or spiritual need, through a varied program of both social and evangelistic activities. The Mission works actively alongside churches and community groups to bring friendship, care and compassion to those who feel socially isolated.Read more✖Launceston City Mission
City Mission seeks to provide assistance to all who have a physical, emotional, social or spiritual need, through a varied program of both social and evangelistic activities. The Mission works actively alongside churches and community groups to bring friendship, care and compassion to those who feel socially isolated. The Missiondale Therapeutic Community is a 34 bed residential facility located on a 25-acre peaceful rural property in Evandale, Tasmania. The program is made up of four different stages, taking from 2-8 months to complete. Residents of all stages live together in shared accommodation (lounges, kitchens, bathrooms – but you will have your own bedroom) to support each other through the program. Serenity House is a Sobering Up and Place of Safety facility located in Burnie, North West Tasmania. It is also a place for ‘time-out’, offering communal living under the support and supervision of trained staff. Counselling is available, along with referral to other agencies and follow-up when requested. Time-out is available for people from any part of the state where substance misuse is the primary presenting need for support. Visit the City Mission website
