News & MediaDrug Arm and TAFE Boggabilla provide Learner Licence course for the Toomelah community4 April 2013 Drug Arm Australasia and TAFE Boggabilla joined forces with the Toomelah Public School to deliver a Learner Licensing course for the benefit of the Toomelah community and surrounds. This course is equivalent to Certificate I in Access to Work and Training, and was held at the Toomelah Public School. The course ran over a six week period, and a majority of participants who successfully completed the requirements obtained their Learner’s Licence just before Easter. Drug Arm has been providing a Child, Youth and Family Support Service for the Toomelah community over the past five years. As part of delivering programs and services that benefit the community, Drug Arm has recognised the importance of having a Driver’s Licence. It is a crucial life skill for individuals and families within the community, and increases accessibility to services and links with the neighbouring areas. Drug Arm constantly engages the Toomelah community providing similar opportunities in order to reduce police involvement, promote personal development and make the community a safer place for everyone. Such community projects also help provide the participants with a sense of achievement. “Driving unlicensed is a huge problem in the community with many residents going to jail for multiple driving offences,” said Katelyn Winkworth, Community Project Worker, Drug Arm. “We have had a fantastic response to this course and the TAFE is looking at continuing the provision of courses in the community due to the success we have had,” Katelyn added. Further, Drug Arm is planning on launching a ‘P’ plate licensing course in the future. Drug Arm is a not-for-profit organisation that is committed to reducing harms associated with alcohol and other drug use. Through numerous programs and services that provide advice, education, treatment and care, Drug Arm has been reaching out to Queenslanders suffering from alcohol and other drug related consequences for over 150 years. Drug Arm is also one of the merged entities under the Drug Awareness and Relief Foundation (Australia), alongside the Mental Health Association Australia and the Australian College of Community Services. Drug Arm joins the Toomelah community to host White Ribbon Day event 2 April 2013 Drug Arm joined forces with other organisations to host a White Ribbon Day event for the benefit of the Toomelah community, on 21 March 2013. The event was held outside the Toomelah Co-Op and involved a range of activities, including putting a handprint on canvas, signing ‘swear slips’ to promise never to harm or have knowledge of harm to others, a taekwondo lesson, a balloon release and a BBQ. Supported by numerous agencies including Centacare, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and Best Employment/Joblink Plus, the event was a great success. The Toomelah community was actively involved in organising the event, which was attended by the Toomelah Co-Op staff, local school, Goondiwindi Police Liaison Officers, Legal Aid Officers and several community elders. Over 50 people attended the event and showed their support towards Drug Arm and other organisations to address issues such as domestic and family violence in their community. White Ribbon Day is an event which is traditionally held in November every year, and is aimed at developing awareness of and preventing abuse of children and women. “As this is an issue that can occur at any time, we believe that ongoing awareness raising of this issue is important. That is why we also made this White Ribbon Day event as a launching pad for upcoming bi-monthly initiatives that will focus on increasing awareness and decreasing violence in the community,” said Katelyn Winkworth, Community Project Worker, Drug Arm. “In addition to the events held on the day, Drug Arm is working together with Joblink Plus to plant a Red River Gum in the community to represent commitment to the issue of violence against women and children on a long term basis” Katelyn said. Drug Arm Australasia has been providing specialised support services to those dealing with alcohol and other drug related harms for over 150 years. Services include advice, education, treatment and care. Drug Arm is an entity under the Drug Awareness and Relief Foundation (Australia). Sister organisations include the Mental Health Association Australia and the Australian College of Community Services. Experts express concerns over red tape reduction and reform discussion paper 7 March 2013 A panel of experts gathered at Parliamentary Annexe on Tuesday this week to express their views on the discussion paper on “Red tape reduction and other reform proposals for regulation of liquor and gaming”. The Drug Arm hosted workshop, which was a great success, provided an opportunity for open discussions surrounding the importance of reform. “We think that releasing this discussion paper was a great move by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Hon. Jarrod Bleijie MP, and being transparent with respect to the rationale for the review, the issues being considered and the potential options for change,” said Ms Jody Wright, Executive Officer, Drug Arm. The discussion panel was made of public health and community experts such as; Professor Robin Room, Director, Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre; Dr Anthony Lynham Senior Consultant, Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal Brisbane Hospital and Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology; and Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland; Tony Brown, Chairperson, Newcastle Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) and the new Hunter Regional Multicultural CDAT; Dr Paul Williams, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities, Griffith University; and Professor Ann Roche, Director, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University, South Australia. Drug Arm has regularly provided advice to Government with the simple aim of reducing the impact of alcohol and drug misuse on individuals, families and communities. Based on the outcomes of this workshop, Drug Arm will develop its own independent submission to Government on the draft document. “This workshop is a reflection on Drug Arm’s willingness to continue to work constructively with Government to ensure that the voice of the community sector is heard with respect to any potential changes to alcohol and drug related legislation and regulations,” Ms Wright said. Drug Arm has been reaching out to Queenslanders who are suffering the consequences of alcohol and drug related harms in order to provide advice, education, treatment and care, for over 150 years. Drug Arm is a not-for-profit organisation committed to reducing harms associated with alcohol and other drug use. Drug Arm is also one of the merged entities under the Drug Awareness and Relief Foundation (Australia), alongside Mental Health Association Australia and the Australian College of Community Services.  From left to right: Prof. Robin Room, Tony Brown, Dr Paul Williams, Prof. Ann Roche, Dr John Roulston, Mrs Jody Wright, (inset) Dr Anthony Lynham MOSHPIT Partners with Medicare Local to help Brisbane North Community 14 Feb 2013 Drug Arm Australasia has received $22,000 in funding from Metro North Brisbane Medicare Local to provide much needed support services for people residing in the Aspley Caravan Park and surrounds. The MOSHPIT (Mobile Outreach Support and Health Program by Integrated Teams) provides a unique mobile outreach and health service to substance affected people including young people at risk of homelessness and disadvantaged groups. Everyone is welcome. When: Thursdays, 10:00am to 12:00pm Where: Aspley Acres/Alpha Caravan Parks, 1420 Gympie Road, Aspley Drug Arm’s MOSHPIT will provide services such as free health checks by a qualified nurse, free counselling, free information and referrals to medical and other services, and free coffee, tea, cold drinks and biscuits. “It is a great service as it provides a pathway for people to make that positive change in their lives,” said Dana Kinderis, who has been working with Drug Arm’s MOSHPIT for nearly four years. Dana will be joined by Jonny Coles, who has great expertise in the area of treatment and prevention of alcohol and other drug issues. “This program will be of great benefit, especially to the Caravan Park residents as it provides on-site access to relevant information and support services,” Jonny said. We urge you to pass this information to your networks of colleagues, family and friends and join us in working toward a brighter future for people who are at risk and needing support. Drug Arm is a not-for-profit organisation founded upon Christian values and principles, committed to reducing harms associated with alcohol and other drug use. Drug Arm is also one of the merged entities under the Drug Awareness and Relief Foundation (Australia), alongside Mental Health Association Australia and the Australian College of Community Services. Medicare Locals gratefully acknowledge the financial and other support from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.  Do you have a media enquiry? Is there a story we should know about? Or would you like to know more about DRUG ARM or drug and alcohol issues? Contact our media liaisons: Saranga De Alwis - Marketing and Fundraising Manager (07) 3426 8447 or Email news@drugarm.com.au |
