As the leading voice in Indigenous drug and alcohol policy advice, the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC) is proud to host Australia’s second National Drug and Alcohol Conference (NIDAC 2012).As Chair of NIDAC, it is my great pleasure to invite you to participate in this important event at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia from 6 – 8 June 2012. This is an invitation close to my heart as this is Wadjuk Nyungar country and I am a Wadjuk Nyungar man.
Based on the theme, Beyond 2012: Leading the Way to Action, NIDAC 2012 aims to highlight how the sector is able to lead the way to action in addressing the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs and its associated harms among Indigenous Australians.
This Conference will provide opportunities to:
- Showcase innovative programs that are making a difference
- Explore new ideas and ways that can be taken forward into action
- Learn about new evidenced based interventions
- Develop strongly connected networks.
It is also seeking to have a particular focus on what works for Indigenous Australians in the areas of:
- National frameworks for putting alcohol and other drug policy into action
- Supply reduction strategies including availability of alcohol, alternative fuels and culturally sensitive law enforcement
- Harm reduction strategies including early intervention, treatment modalities and ongoing care
- Demand reduction strategies including alternatives to alcohol and other drug use, such as education, employment and sporting activities
- Factors that facilitate the provision of effective alcohol and other drug services to Indigenous Australians, having regard to community control, adequate resourcing and support and planned, comprehensive interventions
- Workforce issues such as recruitment and sustainability of the Indigenous alcohol and other drug workforce
- Policy development based on Indigenous peoples strengths, which is properly resourced and for the long term
- Ways of working in partnerships between Government, non-Indigenous organisations and Indigenous community controlled organisations, communities and Indigenous peoples from across the world.
Additionally it will provide a focus on issues around:
- Young people and co morbidity
- Data to guide decision making and resource allocation
- High quality outcomes and evaluations of Indigenous specific interventions
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