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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260421T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260421T134500
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20260223T025923Z
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UID:70011-1776776400-1776779100@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Moving the goalposts- a non-punitive\, non-abstinence approach to alcohol use\, presented by Dr Dean Membrey and Andrea Fischer
DESCRIPTION:Connect & Learn: Moving the goalposts – a non-punitive\, non-abstinence approach to alcohol use\, presented by Dr Dean Membrey and Andrea Fischer \n\nIMPORTANT NOTE: this webinar is funded by the Victorian Department of Health and only available for Victorians to register.\n\nSince the legislative and societal shift from addressing public intoxication with a law-enforcement response to a health response\, Cohealth\, and other providers\, have been providing both outreach and temporary sobering up services to people displaying intoxication in public places.  \n\nIn this presentation\, Dean and Andrea will reflect on the learnings of operating this service. Dean will also look at the current treatment approach to alcohol use disorder and review the evidence for adopting a more harm reduction focussed paradigm. Andrea will discuss how public intoxication services operate as an entry point to those requiring assistance to manage their use of alcohol. \nDr Dean Membrey is a general practitioner and addiction medicine specialist who has over a decade of experience providing health care to people experiencing substance use disorders. He is passionate about providing holistic\, patient-centred care in community settings to better understand the social\, cultural and psychological influences on their presentation. He currently works at Cohealth Innerspace and provides outreach services in the Melbourne CBD to people experiencing homelessness. \nAndrea Fischer is the Director of Community Bases Drug and Alcohol Responses at Cohealth.  Andrea has a long career in Public Health\, having worked for the Burnet and Doherty Institutes. She specialises in managing large-scale public health activities\, in Victoria and overseas. Her passion is working with people who use alcohol and other drugs\, with an emphasis on infectious diseases prevention\, testing and treatment. \nConnect & Learn webinar series address a wide range of practice-relevant topics presented by local expert clinicians. The webinars aim to enhance the capabilities of Victorian AOD and MH workers in responding to substance use and addiction issues among their clients and consumers. \nNOTE: this webinar is funded by the Victorian Department of Health and only available for Victorians to register. \nDate: Tuesday 21st April 2026\nTime: 1pm to 1:45pm AEDT\nLocation: online\nRegister: click here to register \nPrevious webinars are on demand at the Turning Point website: https://www.turningpoint.org.au/education/webinars \n\n\nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/moving-the-goalposts-a-non-punitive-non-abstinence-approach-to-alcohol-use-presented-by-dr-dean-membrey-and-andrea-fischer/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260224T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260224T134500
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20251112T201246Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T201246Z
UID:68169-1771938000-1771940700@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Connect & Learn presents\, Sober Roads: Alcohol\, Drugs\, and Driving—Which Substances Steer Us Wrong?
DESCRIPTION:Sober Roads: Alcohol\, Drugs\, and Driving—Which Substances Steer Us Wrong? Presented by Professor Edward Odgen \nProfessor Edward Ogden PSM will delve into the impacts of alcohol and other drugs on road safety. Drawing from decades of research to explore how substances impair cognition\, reaction times\, and decision-making. Key topics include the nature of the driving task\, the pharmacology of impairment\, and the role of addiction specialists in driver assessment. \nProfessor Ogden has been involved in road accident research and the forensic toxicology of transport for many years. He is a member of the International Council on Alcohol\, Drugs and Traffic Safety and was awarded the Widmark Medal for his ‘outstanding\, sustained and meritorious contribution to the field’ in 2022. \nConnect & Learn webinar series addresses a wide range of practice-relevant topics presented by local expert clinicians. The webinars aim to enhance the capabilities of Victorian AOD and MH workers in responding to substance use and addiction issues among their clients and consumers. \nNote: Connect & Learn webinars are funded by the Victorian Department of Health and are available to Victorian workers only \nDate and time: Tuesday\, 24th February 2026\, 1 PM to 1:45 PM AEST \nLocation: online \nPrevious webinars are on demand at the Turning Point website: https://www.turningpoint.org.au/education/webinars \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/connect-learn-presents-sober-roads-alcohol-drugs-and-driving-which-substances-steer-us-wrong/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Turning-Point.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260211T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260211T140000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20260127T211707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T211707Z
UID:69339-1770814800-1770818400@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Talking Point - ROIDCheck: Building the World’s First Steroid Drug Checking Program\, presented by Dr Timothy Piatkowski
DESCRIPTION:ROIDCheck: Building the World’s First Steroid Drug Checking Program\, presented by Dr Timothy Piatkowski \nThis presentation outlines the development and outcomes of ROIDCheck — the world’s first dedicated anabolic steroid and IPED drug checking initiative. Conducted across 2024–2025\, the program provided real-world data on the composition\, purity\, and safety of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) in Australia. Drawing on collaborations between health services\, peer networks\, and harm reduction practitioners\, ROIDCheck demonstrates how community-led drug checking can generate actionable intelligence\, support safer use\, and reshape health engagement among people who use performance and image-enhancing drugs. \nDr. Timothy Piatkowski is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at The University of Queensland. He is a peer researcher\, using his lived experience and close community partnerships to enable innovative health programs which are accessible and translatable.He has received over $7.5 million (5.8 as CI) in research funding and has >160 outputs\, many of which are impactful\, having won the APSAD 2025 EMCR Most Highly Cited Paper for his innovative work on trenbolone (a potent steroid). His work has been recognised through multiple national awards\, including the AIVL Peer Researcher Recognition Award (2024) and the APSAD Kyp Kypri Early Career Researcher Award (2024). \nDr. Piatkowski leads pioneering\, peer-led initiatives such as the world’s first steroid checking service (ROIDCheck) and the Steroid QNECT program\, both of which are nationally award-winning programs currently inspiring international initiatives to follow suite (e.g.\, Switzerland\, UK). \nDate: Wednesday 11th February 2026\nVenue: Online\nTime: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST\nCost: Free \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/talking-point-roidcheck-building-the-worlds-first-steroid-drug-checking-program-presented-by-dr-timothy-piatkowski/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251203T120000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251203T130000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20251110T233653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T233930Z
UID:68103-1764763200-1764766800@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Mapping the ecosystem of addiction report launch 
DESCRIPTION:Mapping the ecosystem of addiction report launch  \n3rd December 2025\, from 12pm to 1pm GMT+11 – online event  \nWith the Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University\, we have developed a map of the ecosystem of addiction.  \nAlcohol and other drug services in Australia are wide-ranging and serve many different needs. They often overlap with other areas like mental health\, hospitals\, housing\, justice\, and community support\, which can make the system confusing and hard to navigate. Without a clear understanding of how it all fits together\, efforts to improve the system may not work well.  \nBased on the concept of health care as a Complex Adaptive System\, this seminar presents a graphic that provides a holistic view of AOD services.  \nThe graphic provides a detailed map of issues\, influences\, interdependencies\, workarounds\, disconnects\, and facilitators. 
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/mapping-the-ecosystem-of-addiction-report-launch/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Turning-Point.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251118T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251118T134500
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250703T023519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250817T233951Z
UID:64940-1763470800-1763473500@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Connect & Learn webinar - The role of dual diagnosis in AOD rehabilitation
DESCRIPTION:Connect & Learn \nThe role of dual diagnosis in AOD rehabilitation presented by Dr Lea Foo & David Hill \nThe presentation will aim to improve knowledge about the prevalence of comorbid mental health and substance use disorders\, their relationship and impact on recovery. Dr Lea Foo and David Hill will provide tools and strategies to support addressing comorbid mental health conditions in the AOD space. \nDr Lea Foo is an Addiction Psychiatrist at Western Health Drug Health Services. She works with people who use drugs (PWUD) and supports other clinicians working with PWUD through the Hamilton Centre Victoria Statewide service for people living with mental illness and substance use or addiction\, and in general hospital settings through the Addiction Medicine consultation service.  Lea also coordinates the training program for doctors specialising in Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry at Western Health. \nDavid Hill is an AOD Peer Support Worker with the MHAOD Connect team that works out of the Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department. He also works at Westside Lodge\, which is a dual diagnosis residential rehabilitation program. \nConnect & Learn webinar series address a wide range of practice-relevant topics presented by local expert clinicians. The webinars aim to enhance the capabilities of Victorian AOD and MH workers in responding to substance use and addiction issues among their clients and consumers. \nIMPORTANT INFORMATION: This webinar is only available to staff who are working in a Victorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation – your ticket will be cancelled if you don’t work for a Vic DH funded organisation. \nDate: Tuesday 18th November 2025\,\ntime:1pm to 1:45pm AEST\nVenue: online\nRegister: click here \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/the-role-of-dual-diagnosis-in-aod-rehabilitation/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Turning-Point.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251029T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251029T140000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250610T030047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250817T233722Z
UID:64280-1761742800-1761746400@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Nicotine e-cigarettes for smoking cessation following discharge from smoke-free inpatient AOD withdrawal services: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial
DESCRIPTION:Nicotine e-cigarettes for smoking cessation following discharge from smoke-free inpatient AOD withdrawal services: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial\, presented by Professor Billie Bonevski \n\n29th October 2025 online from 1pm to 2pm AEST\n\n\nE-cigarettes containing nicotine (e-cigarettes) have demonstrated effectiveness for smoking cessation among general populations\, but limited evidence in people with substance use disorders (SUD).\nThis presentation will focus on the NEAT Trial\, a pragmatic\, two-arm\, open-label parallel-group randomised controlled trial (n=363) examining the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking abstinence in people with SUD following discharge from smoke-free inpatient withdrawal services.\n\nProfessor Billie Bonevski is Dean (Research)\, Director of the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI)\, and Matthew Flinders Professor of Public Health at the College of Medicine and Public Health\, Flinders University. She is a Behavioural Scientist recognised internationally for her research examining ways to assist people in priority population groups to reduce tobacco smoking. \nDate: Wednesday 29th October 2025\nVenue: Online\nTime: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST\nCost: Free\nRegister: click here to register \n\nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/nicotine-e-cigarettes-for-smoking-cessation/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Turning-Point.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251028T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251028T134500
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250715T025527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T230857Z
UID:65391-1761656400-1761659100@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:The Pharmacy is HOW FAR away? Managing opioid agonist treatment in regional Victoria
DESCRIPTION:Connect & Learn  \nThe Pharmacy is HOW FAR away?  Managing opioid agonist treatment in regional Victoria\, presented by Dr Adam Straub   \nThis webinar is only available to staff who are working in a\nVictorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation  \nAttendees will gain an increased appreciation for managing clients in rural and regional Victoria. Discussion will focus on the need for flexibility within the regulations guiding practice\, and attendees will gain understanding regarding the difficulties of distance and opioid agonist treatment.  \nDr Adam Straub\, Addiction Medicine Physician at Grampians Health & Orticare\, graduated in 2008 and focused on his early career in critical care medicine. After working with Victoria Police and in Emergency Departments\, Adam developed an interest in Addiction Medicine. He is a strong advocate for opioid agonist therapy and harm minimisation. Adam is actively involved in continuous professional development and medical education.   \nConnect & Learn webinar series address a wide range of practice-relevant topics presented by local expert clinicians. The webinars aim to enhance the capabilities of Victorian AOD and MH workers in responding to substance use and addiction issues among their clients and consumers.  \nNOTE: Please do not register if you don’t work for a Victorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation\, thank you.  \nDate: Tuesday 28th October 2025\,  \ntime: 1pm to 1:45pm AEST  \nVenue: online 
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/the-pharmacy-is-how-far-away/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Turning-Point.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251015T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251015T140000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20251003T033838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T033838Z
UID:67609-1760533200-1760536800@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Comorbidity Guidelines Webinar: Compassion in healthcare- barriers and misconceptions
DESCRIPTION:This webinar will take place on Wednesday 15th October 1pm-2pm AEDT \nThis webinar will give an overview of compassion in healthcare and is part of the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use Comorbidity Project webinar series\, which is focused on applying evidence into practice. \nThis webinar will be presented by Dr Erin Kelly. \nDr Erin Kelly is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and a casual academic at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. She has over 15 years’ clinical experience and 20 years in research\, focusing on the treatment and prevention of co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions. Erin has worked in a range of settings\, delivering both individual therapy and group programs using approaches such as CBT\, ACT\, DBT\, schema therapy\, and compassion-focused therapy. An experienced trainer and educator\, she has trained hundreds of healthcare workers\, teachers\, researchers\, and students\, and has delivered wellbeing programs in areas such as stress management\, self-care\, and self-compassion. Erin especially enjoys working with healthcare workers and other professionals dedicated to helping others\, supporting them to care for themselves with the same dedication they give to others. \nBy the end of this webinar\, attendees will be able to: \n\nOutline what compassion is and why it matters for both healthcare professionals and those in their care.\nRecognise common barriers to compassion and consider how these may show up in their own work.\nReflect on ways they could strengthen compassionate practices in their work and life.
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/comorbidity-guidelines-webinar-compassion-in-healthcare-barriers-and-misconceptions/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/October_upcoming.png
ORGANIZER;CN="The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use":MAILTO:matilda.centre@sydney.edu.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250916T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250916T134500
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250731T230131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250817T234101Z
UID:66025-1758027600-1758030300@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Integrating Hepatitis C testing and treatment into addiction care of people who inject drugs – lessons from Melbourne’s Medically Supervised Injecting Room
DESCRIPTION:Connect & Learn: Integrating Hepatitis C testing and treatment into addiction care of people who inject drugs – lessons from Melbourne’s Medically Supervised Injecting Room\, presented by A/Prof Nico Clark  \nAccording to the World Health Organisation (WHO)\, hepatitis C is the main cause of death globally in people who inject drugs\, yet it is easy to diagnose and treat. Australia has the potential to eliminate hepatitis C\, but this requires a concerted effort to diagnose and treat HCV in PWID\, not just those who have injected in the past\, but those who are continuing to inject drugs. \nWhile diagnostic and treatment pathways for HCV are simple\, adapting them to the needs of our clients\, rather than expecting our clients to adapt to our treatment systems\, is the key to increasing the rates of diagnosis and treatment. This has implications for both the way we design our health care systems and the way we manage individuals within those systems. \nA/Prof Nico Clark is a specialist in addiction medicine and the Head of Addiction Medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital\, Clinical Director at First Step Clinic\, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Monash University and Principal Research Fellow at the Burnet Institute. With a strong commitment to improving health outcomes for people who inject drugs\, Dr Clark has played a pivotal role in advancing integrated models of care that combine hepatitis C treatment with harm reduction and addiction services. \nAs the inaugural Medical Director of Victoria’s Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR)\, and in collaboration with the Gastroenterology Department at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne\, Nico was integral to the establishment and development of what was to become Victoria’s largest site for the diagnosis and treatment of HCV\, treating more than 100 people a year at its peak. \nIn addition to his leadership in Australia\, Dr Clark collaborates with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)\, contributing to global efforts to support the health of people who use drugs. He has developed several currently used WHO guidelines and worked on projects supporting services in low- and middle-income countries. \nDr Clark’s work spans clinical service delivery\, service design\, clinical research\, policy development\, and international collaboration. His current focus is on embedding hepatitis C care within addiction treatment programs\, removing barriers to access\, and promoting models that prioritise equity\, dignity\, and continuity of care. \nConnect & Learn webinar series addresses a wide range of practice-relevant topics presented by local expert clinicians. The webinars aim to enhance the capabilities of Victorian AOD and MH workers in responding to substance use and addiction issues among their clients and consumers. \nDate: Tuesday 16th September 2025 \nTime: 1pm to 1:45pm AEST \nVenue: online \nNOTE: This webinar is only available to staff working in a Victorian Department of Health (DH)- funded AOD organisation. \nPrevious webinars are on demand at the Turning Point website: https://www.turningpoint.org.au/education/webinars \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/integrating-hepatitis-c-testing-and-treatment-into-addiction-care-of-people-who-inject-drugs-lessons-from-melbournes-medically-supervised-injecting-room-presented-by-a-prof-nico-cl/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Turning-Point.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250827T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250827T140000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250507T042803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250807T010202Z
UID:63455-1756299600-1756303200@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Talking Point - Can we really change behaviour at a population level? presented by Dr Bosco Rowland
DESCRIPTION:Talking Point is a regular series of publicly available lectures that aim to inspire\, inform and challenge our notions of what we know about addiction and its impact across society. Health and social sector professionals and the general public are all welcome to attend. \nCan we really change behaviour at a population level? \nThe Communities that Care approach to preventing and reducing drug and alcohol-related behaviour in Australia\, presented by Dr Bosco Rowland. \nOriginating in the US\, Communities that Care is a public health prevention framework that has been operating in Australia for 25 years. Over 30 Local Government Areas have used the framework to reduce alcohol consumption\, injuries and crime. In the US it has been used to also reduce smoking\, cannabis and depression. \nAn Australian cost benefit analysis has shown that using the CTC approach to adolescent alcohol consumption has a return of investment of $2.60. This presentation will outline the Communities that Care model and how communities can use the model. It will also present findings from the National Australian Cluster Randomised Control Trial\, and other national and international longitudinal evidence. \nDr Rowland is a Statistician and Senior Research Fellow with the Eastern Health Clinical School\, at Monash University. \nHis research\, teaching\, leadership and service focuses on developing and testing social behavioural principles on real world public health problems. In particular\, he examines behaviours associated with health\, social and emotional development and the role of risk and protective factors\, nationally and cross-nationally (Australia\, India\, USA\, Netherlands and across the Asia Pacific). \nDate: Wednesday 27th August 2025 \nVenue: Online \nTime: 1pm to 2pm AEST \nCost: Free \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/talking-point-can-we-really-change-behaviour-at-a-population-level-presented-by-dr-bosco-rowland/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250812T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250812T110000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250721T230654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T230654Z
UID:65503-1754992800-1754996400@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Comorbidity Guidelines Webinar- Substance-related psychosis: what to ask and what to do
DESCRIPTION:This webinar will give an overview of substance-related psychosis and is part of the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use Comorbidity Project webinar series\, which is focused on applying evidence into practice\n\n\nhis webinar will take place on Tuesday 12th of August 10am-11am AEST \nThis webinar will be presented by Associate Professor Julia Lappin \nAssociate Professor Julia Lappin is an Associate Professor at UNSW School of Psychiatry and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. She is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Prince of Wales Hospital\, Sydney. She led the development of the NSW Tertiary Referral Service for Psychosis\, a state-wide service for NSW and served as its inaugural Clinical Director for five years. She currently runs implementation projects of interventions which improve quality of life in people with mental health disorders. Julia has a broad range of interests across research and clinical practice\, with a focus on improving outcomes in mental health disorders\, particularly mental health harms related to substance misuse. \nBy the end of this webinar\, attendees will be able to: \n\nTo understand the relationship between psychotic experiences and substance use\, particularly cannabis and methamphetamine;\nTo detail the evidence for what works in treating co-morbid psychosis and substance use;\nTo know what to ask when assessing risk factors for the development of psychotic symptoms and enduring psychotic illness;\n\nRegister here: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jYzUygbSS0a59i_8rzFhtQ#/registration
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/comorbidity-guidelines-webinar-substance-related-psychosis-what-to-ask-and-what-to-do/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use":MAILTO:matilda.centre@sydney.edu.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250808T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250808T134500
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250616T055142Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250815T001554Z
UID:64535-1754658000-1754660700@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Connect & Learn webinar - Identifying and supporting clients with cognitive impairment\, presented by Georgia Bolt
DESCRIPTION:Connect & Learn Webinar \nFriday 8th August 2025 – online from 1pm to 1:45pm \nIdentifying and supporting clients with cognitive impairment\,\npresented by Georgia Bolt\nThis webinar is only available to staff who are working in a Victorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation. \nThis presentation situates cognitive impairment as a key factor to be considered within the AOD sector. Practical strategies are offered to support clinicians in (a) identifying clients who may be experiencing cognitive difficulties\, (b) recognizing risk factors for acquired brain injury\, and (c) adapting clinical practice to support clients\, with a view to optimizing treatment engagement and retention. \nObjectives: \n\nLearn how to recognize\, identify\, and screen for cognitive impairment;\n\n\nDevelop an understanding of factors that may contribute to cognitive impairment in SUD\, including risk factors for acquired brain injury;\n\n\nConsider practical\, evidence-based compensatory strategies to adapt clinical practice to support clients with cognitive impairment;\n\n\nWhere indicated\, understand referral processes for\, and optimal timing of\, neuropsychology assessment at Turning Point\n\nGeorgia Bolt is a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist working at Turning Point and Austin Health providing neuropsychological assessment and consultation for adults with a range of co-occurring neurodevelopmental\, neurological\, medical\, mental health\, substance-related\, and neurodegenerative conditions within acute inpatient and community outpatient settings. \nShe works collaboratively with clients/consumers\, their supporters\, and other multi-disciplinary clinicians across the healthcare sector to inform comprehensive formulations\, differential diagnosis\, and guide future management\, including addressing cognitive\, behaviour\, and decision-making capacity related issues\, and\, where indicated\, supporting clients/consumers to access disability supports. \nGeorgia is also completing a PhD at Turning Point Eastern Health Clinical School/Monash University investigating a novel personalised mHealth cognitive intervention for middle-older adults drinking at harmful/hazardous levels in the community. She has authored academic manuscripts and co-authored a book chapter on Cognitive Assessment\, Management and Training in AOD settings\, presenting at national and international conferences. \nConnect & Learn webinar series address a wide range of practice-relevant topics presented by local expert clinicians. The webinars aim to enhance the capabilities of Victorian AOD and MH workers in responding to substance use and addiction issues among their clients and consumers. \nIMPORTANT INFORMATION: This webinar is only available to staff who are working in a Victorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation – your ticket will be cancelled if you don’t work for a Vic DH funded organisation. \n\nDate & time: Friday 8th August 2025\, 1pm to 1:45pm AEST\nVenue: online\nRegister: click here \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/connect-learn-webinar-identifying-and-supporting-clients-with-cognitive-impairment-presented-by-georgia-bolt/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250807T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250807T140000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250604T010043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250604T010043Z
UID:64167-1754571600-1754575200@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Talking point: Addressing Underlying Trauma in Opioid Use\, presented by Tanya Saraiya
DESCRIPTION:Talking Point: Addressing Underlying Trauma in Opioid Use. \nThursday 7th August 2025\, 1pm – 2pm AEST – ONLINE \nUp to 90% of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) have trauma exposure and up to 41% have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However\, studies estimate that less than 12% of people with OUD and co-occurring PTSD receive treatment for their PTSD. \nDr. Saraiya will present her early career work on assessing and addressing underlying trauma among people struggling with opioid use. Specifically\, she will share findings from a new integrated therapy for opioid use disorder and PTSD and the development of a digital toolkit to assess for intimate partner violence in three opioid treatment programs in South Carolina. \nThroughout this talk\, other projects and associated reflections on how systemic racism and healthcare barriers influence trauma and opioid use treatment will be discussed. \nTanya C. Saraiya\, PhD is an assistant professor\, licensed clinical psychologist\, and director of the PATH Lab in the department of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina. Broadly\, her research aims to understand and attend to traumatic stress and PTSD in individuals in recovery for substance use. \nAcross this work\, she strives to focus on health disparities and ongoing inequities that present based on individual and collective identity\, culture\, race\, and context. \nDate: Thursday 7th August 2025 – ONLINE \nVenue: Online \nTime: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST \nCost: Free \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/talking-point-addressing-underlying-trauma-in-opioid-use-presented-by-tanya-saraiya/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T140000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250317T012758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250815T001445Z
UID:60858-1753880400-1753884000@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Talking Point - Using Law to Reduce the Cancer Burden of Alcohol\, presented by Clare Slattery\, Legal Policy Advisor at the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer
DESCRIPTION:Talking Point – Wednesday 30th July 2025\, 1pm – 2pm AEST – ONLINE \nUsing Law to Reduce the Cancer Burden of Alcohol\, presented by Clare Slattery\, Legal Policy Advisor at the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer \nAlcohol use is linked to more than 200 diseases\, injuries and other health conditions\, including cancer. Law is one of the most effective policy tools to address alcohol-related harm. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends countries reduce alcohol-related harm by introducing pricing\, availability and advertising measures\, in order to reduce the burden of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases caused by alcohol use. \nAwareness of the link between alcohol and cancer remains low. To address the limited public awareness of the harms associated with alcohol use\, including cancer risk\, the WHO has increasingly recommended countries provide consumers with information about the harms associated with alcohol use through measures such as health warning labels on alcohol. According to the WHO\, in 2019\, less than 40% of countries had government mandated health warnings of any kind on alcohol labels. \nNext year\, Ireland will become the first country in the world to require all prepacked alcohol sold in the country to include the warning that ‘There is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers’. The Irish measures are included in comprehensive alcohol control laws introduced in the country which seek to address the enormous burden of public health\, social and economic harm caused by alcohol use in Ireland. \nThis presentation will explore why law is a critical tool for addressing the cancer burden of alcohol\, including a case study on cancer warning labels in Ireland\, and the role of cancer organisations in ensuring cancer prevention is highlighted in alcohol laws around the world. \nClare Slattery is a Legal Policy Advisor at the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer\, the only centre in the world dedicated to using legal expertise to prevent cancer and protect those affected by it. Clare’s work supports countries to adopt effective public health laws to prevent noncommunicable diseases\, defend those laws from legal challenge\, and ensure policy coherence between health\, human rights and trade and investment law. \nThe McCabe Centre collaborates with individuals\, organisations\, and governments to fight cancer and other noncommunicable diseases through its role as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Law and Noncommunicable Disease and a Knowledge Hub of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Based in Melbourne\, Clare has a background in public health\, international law and legal research. \nDate: Wednesday 30th July 2025 – ONLINE \nVenue: Online \nTime: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST \nCost: Free \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/talking-point-using-law-to-reduce-the-cancer-burden-of-alcohol-presented-by-clare-slattery-legal-policy-advisor-at-the-mccabe-centre-for-law-and-cancer/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Online
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250722T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250722T134500
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250604T010057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250604T010057Z
UID:64152-1753189200-1753191900@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Connect & Learn webinar series address a wide range of practice-relevant topics presented by local expert clinicians. The webinars aim to enhance the capabilities of Victorian AOD and MH workers in responding to substance use and addiction issues among their clients and consumers.
DESCRIPTION:An introduction to AOD peer work including misconceptions\,\nchallenges\, benefits and best practice\,\npresented by Benn Veenker\nTuesday 22 July 2025 – online from 1pm to 1:45pm\n\nThis presentation will start with unpacking exactly what is lived and living experience and what does this mean within an AOD context. There will be a deeper dive into the work that AOD peer workers engage in and what frameworks they adopt when working with people who access AOD services. A broader discussion will also cover the lived and living experience workforce (LLEW) and the challenges that LLEW face when working within organisations\, alongside with the common misconceptions that they encounter. \nThroughout there will be case examples of what peer work looks like as well as highlighting the benefits of embedding LLEW within organisations. \nBenn Veenker is a passionate recovery advocate and is consistently working at breaking down the stigma associated with substance use and mental health. Benn has been sharing his lived experience over the past 12+ years with the goal of shortening the time it takes for individuals to seek help for their substance use and/or mental health. \nCurrently Benn is employed at Turning Point – Addiction\, Treatment\, Research and Education centre – as the Manager for Lived Experience Workforce and Advocacy where he intentionally uses both his lived and work experience to support the development and growth of the lived experience workforce across Turning Point.     \nWho should register? This webinar is suitable for workers in the AOD\, mental health\, allied health and welfare sectors.\nDate and time: Tuesday 22nd July 2025\, 1pm to 1:45pm AEST\nVenue: online\nRegister: click here\nLink to view previous webinars: https://www.turningpoint.org.au/education/webinars \nClick here to subscribe to the Turning Point mailing list
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/connect-learn-webinar-series-address-a-wide-range-of-practice-relevant-topics-presented-by-local-expert-clinicians-the-webinars-aim-to-enhance-the-capabilities-of-victorian-aod-and-mh-work/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250625T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250625T140000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250324T013519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250324T013519Z
UID:60945-1750856400-1750860000@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Lisdexamfetamine in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence\, presented by Dr Nadine Ezard.
DESCRIPTION:Talking Point – Wednesday 25th June 2025\, 1pm to 2pm AEST – ONLINE \nLisdexamfetamine in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence\, presented by Dr Nadine Ezard. \nWe conducted a randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial of 250mg lisdexamfetamine daily vs placebo among 164 adults with methamphetamine dependence at 6 outpatient services around Australia. The study was impacted by COVID19 and 43% of the sample dropped out of treatment prematurely. \nThe lisdexamfetamine group reported 9 fewer days use over the 12-week period and greater self-reported treatment effectiveness and treatment satisfaction but this wasn’t sustained into the last 4 weeks of treatment\, the primary endpoint. \nResults are consistent with recent ASAM guidelines recommending consideration closely monitored specialist off-label stimulant prescription for the treatment of stimulant use disorder and more work is required to understand the potential role of prescription amphetamines in the treatment landscape. \nDr Nadine Ezard is an Addiction Medicine Specialist (MBBS\, BA\, MPH\, PhD\, FAChAM) and a founding fellow of the Australian Chapter of Addiction Medicine. She is a professor and the inaugural Director of the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales. Also\, since 2012\, she has been the Clinical Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney\, which serves people with a variety of substance use disorders in inpatient\, outpatient and community settings and strives to embed innovation in practice. Previously\, she worked for the World Health Organization\, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees\, and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime. \nNadine has more than 30 years of clinical and research experience in addiction medicine and public health practice in Australian and international contexts. She is a worldwide recognised researcher in substance use and its translation into consumer-focused harm-reduction public health interventions\, models of care and policy for vulnerable populations. \nHer current research focusses on working with people who use stimulants and related drugs to develop new and effective interventions\, and she has a particular interest in substance use disorders among refugees and other displaced populations.
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/lisdexamfetamine-in-the-treatment-of-methamphetamine-dependence-presented-by-dr-nadine-ezard/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/banner.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Turning Point":MAILTO:info@turningpoint.org.au
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250603T120000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250603T130000
DTSTAMP:20260516T213311
CREATED:20250523T004808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250523T004808Z
UID:63914-1748952000-1748955600@www.vaada.org.au
SUMMARY:Windana First Peoples’ Healing Program webinar: Collaborating for more culturally connected alcohol and other drug support
DESCRIPTION:Webinar\nJoin us during National Reconciliation Week 2025 for a free webinar hosted by Windana’s First Peoples’ Healing Program team with DDACL. \nIf you work in Victoria’s Health Care and Social Assistance sectors\, this will be a valuable session for raising awareness of culturally connected services available. \nBased on the land of the Bunurong People\, the First Peoples’ Healing Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 to 55\, and their immediate families\, with concerns related to alcohol and other drug use. It offers a flexible approach which includes First Peoples’ supports that have been identified within the community\, supporting a person’s journey and connection to self\, Mob and Country. \nIn this webinar\, you’ll learn about the First Peoples’ Healing Program\, including its availability for secondary consultation and as a point of contact for workers seeking to connect clients with Windana. Allison\, Barb and Junelle will guide you through the program’s purpose\, origins\, connection to Closing the Gap\, person-centred support model\, referral pathways and collaboration with other organisations. \nWe are pleased to welcome Dean from DDACL to the webinar. As a key partner of the First Peoples’ Healing Program\, Dean will provide an overview of DDACL’s work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities\, the programs they offer\, and their collaboration with the First Peoples’ Healing Program. \nAttendees are welcome to ask questions via the webinar chat. You can also email questions in advance to firstpeoples@windana.org.au\, and the team will aim to address them in the presentation. \nThe First Peoples’ Healing Program is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the South Eastern Melbourne PHN. \nArt in cover image is by Hunter Dillon (Instagram: @worimi.by.hunter). \nRegister here:\nhttps://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Iowvr86tTBy3RgcrhM5ZWQ
URL:https://www.vaada.org.au/event/windana-first-peoples-healing-program-webinar-collaborating-for-more-culturally-connected-alcohol-and-other-drug-support/
LOCATION:Zoom webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vaada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Webinar_Zoom-registration-cover_1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Windana":MAILTO:windana@windana.org.au
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