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Transcript of was established by - Alcohol.org.nz · Under the tax structure these new drinks – light spirits...

Page 1: was established by - Alcohol.org.nz · Under the tax structure these new drinks – light spirits – are taxed in the beer and wine bands rather than in the band intended for spirits.
Page 2: was established by - Alcohol.org.nz · Under the tax structure these new drinks – light spirits – are taxed in the beer and wine bands rather than in the band intended for spirits.

Alcohol Advisory Council

About the Alcohol Advisory Council

The Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand was established by

a 1976 Act of Parliament, under the name the Alcoholic Liquor

Advisory Council (ALAC), following a report by the Royal Commission

of Inquiry into the Sale of Liquor.

The Commission recommended establishing a permanent council

whose aim was to encourage responsible alcohol use and

minimise misuse.

ALAC’s aims are pursued through policy liaison and advocacy,

information and communication, research, intersectoral and

community initiatives, and treatment development. ALAC is funded by

a levy on all liquor imported into, or manufactured in New Zealand for

sale and employs 26 staff. The Council currently has 8 members and

reports to the Minister of Health.

alcohol.org.nz is published quarterly by the Alcohol Advisory Council

of New Zealand/te Kaunihera Whakatupato Waipiro o Aotearoa.

An editorial committee oversees the newsletter.

The next issue of alcohol.org.nz will be published in June 2003.

To receive a copy, contact:

alcohol.org.nz

Alcohol Advisory Council

P O Box 5023

Wellington

New Zealand

Phone 04-472-0997

Call free 0508-258-258

Fax 04-473-0890

Email [email protected]

© ALAC 2003

alcohol.org.nz

ISSN 1175-2831

Editor/writer: Kate Mahony

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Say win – say whenThe Say When Halberg Sports Awards were held in Auckland on 20 February this year. Thisis an occasion for New Zealand to celebrate and acknowledge sporting excellence bysportspeople and sports teams for theirperformance during the past year. We’d like tocongratulate the winners of the seven differentcategories. The past year produced somephenomenal performances.

ALAC has been the major sponsor for theseawards for the past five years. There has been some criticism of ALAC’s involvementwith these awards as being outside the mainstream of what ALAC is mandated to do.

Sport is ingrained in our culture, as is the drinking which occurs before, during andafter sports events. The relationship between sport and alcohol is so intertwined thatit is hard to envisage a sporting event at any level where alcohol is not involved, be ityour local darts club or cricket club. It is also fair to say that without the sponsorshipof alcohol producers, hotels and bottle stores most, if not all, sports clubs and codescould not survive financially.

The reality is that sport at its most basic level is dependent on the largess of thealcohol industry and the alcohol industry, in turn, depends on the consumption byplayers, officials and supporters.

Sports clubrooms and hotels provide a major training ground for young peopleentering the adult world of alcohol consumption. The young people copy the drinkingbehaviour of players. Encouragement by club officials to consume, often at reducedrates, is another factor which shapes the sports drinking culture.

ALAC has seized the opportunity in supporting these awards to drive a message hometo clubs and codes and leaders in the sports industry. The message is about theimportance of ensuring club social activities are enjoyable but safe. Policies for thesafe use of alcohol have been drawn up for clubs and implemented through somedistrict sports councils. Material has been prepared for sportspeople, coaches andtrainers on the effects of alcohol on sporting performance and injuries. All this hasbeen possible through the credibility ALAC has gained through its promotion of theSay When Halberg Sports Awards.

For 2003 the theme will be around looking after our young people. We have focusedon the importance of adults modelling responsible behaviour. That’s the theme of ourtelevision and radio advertising and much of the correspondence we have exchangedwith sporting organisations in the build-up to the awards night.

Te Kaunihera Whakatupato Waipiro

Kia ora, Kia orana, Ni sa bula, Namaste, Taloha ni, Malo e lelei,

Fakaalofa atu, Halo olaketa, Talofa lava, Greetings...

Dr Mike MacAvoy, Chief Executive Officer

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FEATURE

Raising excise tax helps youngdrinkers

MÄORI MATTERS

Healing our spirits debrief

Cultural context critical

EARLY INTERVENTION

Stocktake shows growth

YOUNG PEOPLE

Drugs and young people

Kettil Bruun thematic meeting

Say When Halberg Awards

TREATMENT

Spirit of partnership

Outcomes project

Kith and Kin

NEWS

Gary Harrison Scholarships

Drug Helpline

Successful summer message

PEOPLE

New staff at ALAC

RESOURCES

Journeys from addiction

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Economist Brian Easton, in a report

commissioned by the Alcohol Advisory

Council, argues that greater attention

should be paid to the role of prices in

the decision to consume liquor. He

suggests a change in thinking so that in

future the primary purpose of excise

duties should be as part of a national

harm minimisation strategy. Taking a

harm reduction approach to alcohol

excise duties could benefit two

particular groups in New Zealand society

– teenagers and heavy drinkers, he says.

So how does excise duty work and what

can be achieved if a harm perspective is

adopted? KATE MAHONY reports.

Excise duty is a tax and it is collected on all alcoholimported or manufactured in New Zealand.Historically, excise duties were imposed on alcohol asa matter of administrative convenience and wereregarded as a revenue-gathering instrument. In NewZealand from 1875 to 1876 customs and excise dutyfrom alcohol and other products made up a huge 91.6percent of tax revenue.

As a result of the excesses of drinking in the 19thcentury, alcohol came to be regarded as an indulgentactivity, if not downright evil, and the practice wasto label excise duties as ‘sin taxes’, says Brian Eastonin his report Taxing Harm: Modernising Excise Duties.

Attitudes have changed over time. Generally, societytoday believes that alcohol is an acceptable productlike any other but that its misuse can be harmful.There has been some movement towards regarding

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excise duty as a tool to inhibit the consumption ofproducts that negatively affect the general welfare ofthe population.

In 1988, a Report on the Review of Excise Duties onAlcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products1 (known asthe Sullivan Report) identified three possibleobjectives of excise duty. These were to collectrevenue, to recover social costs associated with theuse of these products and to discourage consumption.

In his report, Brian Easton comments that since 1989,the broad policy toward alcohol has been based uponthe notion that much of its consumption is like theconsumption of other products. Therefore, a well-informed adult makes informed decisions as to thequantity to be consumed and the circumstances inwhich the consumption can take place.

“However, some consumption is potentially harmful,and there is a necessity for public intervention tominimise the harm. Regrettably, those interventionscan also inhibit non-harmful drinking.”

The instruments of public policy to intervene onalcohol consumption have been based upon suchstatutes as the Sale of Liquor Act, the AlcoholAdvisory Council Act and parts of omnibus acts suchas the Health Act, Police Offences Act and theTransport Act. More recently they have beencoordinated and prioritised via New Zealand’s first-ever National Alcohol Strategy 2 which was endorsedand signed off by the government in 2000. However,taxation on alcohol has yet to be integrated into thiscomprehensive strategy.

Currently excise duty is imposed on the basis ofalcohol content only where the absolute alcohol byvolume (aabv) is between 2.5 and 6 percent or above23 percent. There are two excise rates. One applies toproducts with an actual alcohol content up to 23percent and is set at $21.096. The other applies to

products with an actual alcohol content above 23percent and is set at $38.422.

In addition, the lower alcohol content range is dividedinto five sub-ranges that are taxed using an assumedalcohol content somewhere in the range, except forthe second to bottom range in which the excisepayable is based on actual alcohol content. Thefollowing table summarises the alcohol excise regime.

There has been concern recently in the communityabout the prevalence of new cheap alcoholicbeverages which appear to be marketed to appeal toyoung people. Their introduction has come at a timewhen there is already concern about the risingincidence of teenage drinking in this country.Teenage drinking has increased markedly over the lastdecade and there is clear evidence that much of it ispotentially harmful.

Under the tax structure these new drinks – lightspirits – are taxed in the beer and wine bands ratherthan in the band intended for spirits. Because they arecheaper to produce they are low in price which makesthem attractive to young people.

They are also taxed at the lower excise rate.Producers are therefore able to sell these light spiritsbrands for around $10 a bottle compared with themuch higher prices of imported and other spirits. Asan example, under the current regime a 1.1 litre bottleof 23 percent spirits attracts around $4 in tax. If theproduct were 24 percent then it would attract around$16 in tax.

continued over

1 Excise Duties Review Committee (1988) Report on theReview of Excise Duties on Alcoholic Beverages and TobaccoProducts. Wellington: Customs Department.

2 Alcohol Advisory Council/Ministry of Health (2001). NationalAlcohol Strategy 2000-2003. Wellington: ALAC/MOH.

Alcohol band Deemed actual alcohol content Excise rate used

0% to 1.15% 0% n/a

Above 1.15% and up to 2.5% 1.5% $21.096

Above 2.5% and up to 6% Actual alcohol content $21.096

Above 6% and up to 9% 8% $21.096

Above 9% and up to 14% 10% $21.096

Above 14% and up to 23% 18% $21.096

Above 23% Actual alcohol content $38.422

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Brian Easton

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The manner in which the tax is applied attractsmanufacturers to produce products to meet the lowesttax possible. This is not unreasonable unless thoseproducts have potential to create harm. A 1.1 litrebottle can contain up to 23 standard drinks. Manykids can easily afford to get ‘trashed’ on a $10 bottleand achieve ‘bang for buck’. Those who can’t affordthem on their own can pool their cash with others tobuy them. Not surprisingly these light spirits havebeen dubbed ‘pocket-money’ alcohol.

Price sensitivityYoung people are known tobe more sensitive than adultsto price. Raising the tax onsuch drinks would reduce theamount of alcohol consumedby young people at singlesessions and possibly reducethe overall amount consumed.

Heavy drinkers are alsoparticularly sensitive toprice. Adopting a harmapproach to alcohol exciseduties will reduce potentiallyharmful consumption forthese two groups.

Adopting a harmminimisation approach toalcohol tax may also inhibitheavy drinkers frombecoming chronic drinkersover time, the reportsuggests. It is known thatchronic drinkers tend not tomake changes to thequantities they drink whenthere is a price rise butheavier drinkers are morelikely to do so.

Change requiredThe report says that if it isagreed the primary purposeof excise duties on alcoholshould in the future be a part of the harmminimisation strategy, this will mean that thephilosophy behind the excise tax and the way it isimplemented need to be altered.

“This doesn’t mean, however, that the harm caused byalcohol and the impact of that harm on thegovernment’s fiscal position should be ignored.Estimates of the fiscal cost of alcohol-related harmsuggest that this could be as high as 4 percent ofgovernment spending. At this rate excise dutyrevenue does not cover the total social costs ofalcohol-related harm,” it notes.

It recommends that specific taxes and levies shouldbe placed on alcohol with the primary purpose ofreducing alcohol misuse and the consequent harm(this is consistent with the objectives of the NationalDrug Policy 3 and National Alcohol Strategy).

As well, such taxes and levies should enable thegovernment to recover some or all of the expenditureoutlays and revenue losses caused by alcohol harm.This approach will assist in setting an appropriate

level for the taxes and levies.

ALAC welcomesreportThe Alcohol AdvisoryCouncil’s Chief Executive DrMike MacAvoy says ALACwelcomes the report which itcommissioned because ofconcern about teenagers anddrinking. Says Mike: “Weknow that teenagers are morelikely to seek the best bangfor buck by buying lightspirits with a high alcoholcontent at a cheap price.”

Mike says a major concern isthe fact that young peopleare drinking more heavilyand at an earlier age. “TheNational Alcohol Survey hasfound that the averagequantity of alcohol consumedby 14 to 17 year olds doubledbetween 1995 and 2000. Thesame survey found that the14 to 19 year olds wereconsuming more on eachdrinking occasion. Our ownYouth Drinking Monitor in2002 found that over a thirdof 14 to 17 year oldsconsider themselves to be‘heavy drinkers’.”

Mike agrees with BrianEaston that higher excise duties would reduceteenagers’ potentially harmful consumption of alcohol“while they learn to drink like mature adults” andsees this as an effective way of reducing harmfuldrinking by this group.

Mike says ALAC endorses the findings of the reportregarding price and the part it can play in reducingalcohol-related harm. “Some people appear to thinkthat alcohol tax is only a revenue-gaining exercise. Infact, it has an important role to play in managingconsumption and therefore harm.”

from previous page

DefinitionsEthanol: Ethanol is the active drug inalcohol. It is also the substance thatcauses harm if misused or abused. It istherefore the most direct indicatoravailable of the potential for alcohol to do harm.

Light spirits: A trade-coined phrasewhich does not have a legal definition.Some would say products like theseshould be considered as a ‘generalalcoholic drink’. The legal definition ofa spirit is that it must contain 37percent absolute alcohol by volume(aabv). So-called ‘light spirits‘ contain 23percent or less aabv. Light spirits can berecognised by their price (often $10 andunder), their packaging, (said to beattractive to young people), and anumber, e.g. 62, next to the name ofthe drink on the label. They are oftenplaced beside mainline spirits in liquoroutlets. Light spirits should not beconfused with RTDs, a product alsopopular with young people.

Standard drink: A standard drinkcontains 10 grams of alcohol. Astandard drink of beer, for example,equals a 300ml glass or a half pint,wine, a 100ml glass, spirits, 30ml (theequivalent of a double ‘nip’ or pubmeasure served in a bar with or withouta mixer) and sherry or port, a 70ml glass.

3 Ministry of Health (1998). National Drug Policy. Wellington:Ministry of Health.

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“Price alone is not the answer. A raft of strategies is needed if

we are to have any impact on the problems we’re seeing.

Solving alcohol-related problems is about a range of strategies

including community action, enforcement, policy, education

and advertising, sponsorship and promotion.”

Mike MacAvoy, ALAC CEO

A full copy of the report Taxing Harm:Modernising Excise Duties, which has beenprepared for ALAC by Brian Easton, isavailable on the ALAC website:www.alcohol.org.nz

Brian Easton’s website is at:www.eastonbh.ac.nz

Pricing policy, he says, is recognised internationallyas one of the most effective tools in reducing alcohol-related harm within the drinking population throughreducing consumption.

“We would support a change to the current excise taxstructure. Our view is that by reflecting the truealcohol content in taxes on liquor this could helpsteer young people towards drinks with less alcohol,thus minimising some of the harms we are finding.”

Mike says effective harm minimisation involves anumber of interventions and changing the taxstructure is one of them. “These other interventionsare likely to work more effectively if the tax strategyis supporting them.”

He says the noticeable groundswell of interest in thecommunity in the past year about the effects of youthdrinking is commendable. “But if we are really seriousabout teenage drinking problems, it will require someserious commitment from us all, from governmentand the community.”

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Websites of interest – taxing alcoholIs Europe’s Glass Half-Full or Half-Empty? The Taxation of Alcohol and the Development of a European Identity www.jeanmonnetprogram.org/papers/96/9607ind

Finland wants EU to raise taxation on alcohol and tobacco products www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20010621IE6

Alcohol taxation reform and public health in Australiawww.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fca/subabuse/sub123.pdf

Alcohol Concern Strategywww.alcoholconcern.org.uk/Strategy/Alcohol_Strategy

Alcohol, taxation: European taxationwww.alcoweb.com/english/gen_info/alcohol_health_society/eco_aspects/taxation/taxation

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Healing our spirits debrief

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A hui to identify and share key learnings

from the fourth Healing Our Spirit

Worldwide (HOSW) conference was

held at Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua

from 15 to 17 November last year.

Approximately 100 Mäori participated in the HOSWconference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Septemberlast year, representing various parts of the alcohol and drug (A&D) sector (e.g. kaupapa Mäori services,iwi groups, mainstream services, research groups andgovernment agencies).

ALAC’s Manager Mäori Programmes Te Atarangi Whiusays a pänui was put on ALAC’s electronic netlink TeKupenga Hauora inviting people to the hui. Thisopened the wänanga to people who had not attendedthe Albuquerque conference but were interested inhearing about the key learnings.

Discussing the conference at the hui, many said thehighlights for them included “connections, unity andleadership”, Te Atarangi says. “Overall, people enjoyedthe conference and felt that they had learnt byattending workshops within the nominated streams.”

Greater learning, however, was experienced throughpersonal connections that Mäori made with otherindigenous peoples. “Mäori identified the conceptualsimilarities of cultural practices and that otherindigenous people advocated cultural practices toaddress alcohol and drug issues.”

While connections were made at an international level,attendance at the conference resulted in these beingmade at a local level as well. “Throughout the conference,Mäori united as one. Old friends were reunited andnew friendships developed,” explains Te Atarangi.

About 15 Kaumatua attended the conference. “Peopleexpressed their gratitude for the leadership andguidance they provided while in Albuquerque. Otherindigenous people attending the conference alsocommented that it was good that we had such a largeelder presence.”

Adds Te Atarangi: “Essentially, indigenous people seeMäori as leaders and innovators for the sector.”

The hui also discussed points to consider in preparationfor the next HOSW conference. These includedplanning, representation and capacity building.“Generally, people outlined the need for planning forthe next HOSW conference. Planning ensures thatpeople are better prepared for the conference.”

Planning ahead also provides a mechanism for theMäori A&D sector to identify what represents the MäoriA&D sector, who represents the Mäori A&D sector andhow should the Mäori A&D sector be represented inan international forum, Te Atarangi says.

She says many at the hui had strong views onrepresentation of the Mäori A&D sector in aninternational forum. “People wanted to ensure thatMäori cultural concepts were represented in anappropriate manner, and therefore there needed to beagreement as to what this might be. People agreedthat further wänanga would clarify this.”

* Te Kupenga Hauora is an electronic network that allows the Mäori A&Dsector to communicate directly through email. To join the list, check outlists.netlink.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/te_kupenga_hauora

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She says while Kaumatua leadership was evident at theconference, it was also recognised that the Mäori A&Dsector needs to develop strategies to ensure that thereis sustainable leadership and to build up the workforce.

Although historically there was a strong Mäori A&Dworkforce, new people within the sector did not havethis historical knowledge of the Mäori A&D sector.While developing capacity ensured that there wouldbe strong leadership in the long term, the sector alsorequired leadership now.

The hui also discussed the development of a HOSWcovenant for all indigenous peoples. This documentwas distributed to those who attended HOSW to takeback to their people to invite them to contribute to itscontent. The final document will be tabled with theWorld Health Organization (WHO).

“The document provides recognition of the rights ofall indigenous peoples,” says Te Atarangi. “However,the hui participants believed it was important that thecovenant should focus on A&D needs and the protectionof cultural practices to deliver appropriate services.”

It was agreed that the covenant would be amended toreflect this and be circulated to the sector for review.

Holding further wänanga supported by ALAC wasidentified as one way to progress this. Another huiwill be held in the early part of this year to discussleadership for and representation of the Mäori A&Dsector and to finalise the contribution to the covenantby the Mäori A&D sector.

The next HOSW conference will be held in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, in2006. Before this conference there will be a Covenant Summit which will be heldin Adelaide, Australia, in 2004. Check out the Healing Our Spirit conferences atwww.healingourspiritworldwide.com/healing_our_spirits_worldwide

Members of the NewZealand Mäori contingentmeet with staff fromNechi Training, Researchand Health PromotionsInstitute in Canadafollowing the conference.

The New Zealandgroup carries taongainto the fourth HealingOur Spirit WorldwideConference inAlbuquerque, NewMexico.

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Enjoying the‘pow wow’ onthe last night ofthe conference.

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Nechi Training, Research and Health

Promotions Institute, an indigenous

alcohol and drug training centre in

Canada is based on the belief that any

approach to training and healing must

be holistic and balanced, focusing on

the physical, mental, emotional and

spiritual aspects of the person.

That’s why before each training module begins at theinstitute’s centre, Elders of the local First Nationspeople come to the class to ground the new studentsin the cultural context. Richard Jenkins, the Directorof Marketing and Health Promotions at Nechi, whovisited New Zealand last year, says the culturalcomponent is an integral part of each programme andis “there all the time”.

ALAC hosted Richard who is Cree-Metis with Indianstatus from Moose Mountain, Alberta. His visit to thiscountry followed on from a visit to Nechi last year byALAC’s Manager Mäori Programmes Te AtarangiWhiu. She visited Nechi prior tothe Healing Our Spirit conferencein the United States.

In New Zealand, Richard visiteda number of service providersin this country to share hisexperiences and learn aboutthe work undertaken byproviders here.

Nechi’s mission statement is that it is “an Aboriginalmovement committed to holistic healing and healthy,addiction-free lifestyles”.

According to Nechi beliefs, says Richard, the culturalcontext for training and treatment of Aboriginalpeople is critical to the success. “So the process ofNechi training must embody Aboriginal ways ofknowing, healing and learning.”

An important part of Nechi Institute is its impressiveceremonial room in the centre of the institute, whichRichard describes as a “unique building in Canada”.Whenever new modules are about to begin, a ceremonyis held there to bless the students in their learning.

Richard describes Nechi as an independent bodydeveloped by people “who had a passion for dealingwith alcohol and drug issues”. A notable feature ofthe organisation is that everyone involved in it, fromthe Board of Directors to staff and students, abstainsfrom alcohol and drugs.

Established in 1974 Nechi is now an accreditedtraining facility for indigenous peoples. It has close to30 staff and shares facilities with the Poundmaker’s

Lodge, an indigenous alcohol anddrug treatment centre which wasestablished in 1973. Nechi is thefirst Canadian facility to combinean indigenous training centrewith that of an indigenoustreatment centre. It hasaccommodation facilities for44 students.

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Cultural contextcritical for success of A & D work

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Nechi offers certificated community trainingprogrammes from which students can then qualify fordiploma and tertiary courses. Courses offered includecommunity addictions training, advanced counsellortraining, project management, and training of trainers.

Participants on these courses come from a widevariety of occupations including counsellors,healthcare workers, social workers, communitygroups, educators and government agencies.

Nechi undertakes research to examine how alcohol,tobacco, gambling, family violence and substance abuseaffect indigenous lifestyles. These results are publishedand incorporated into various programmes andmaterials offered by Nechi. This information is publiclyavailable to community and government organisations.

As well, it develops and designs health promotionprogrammes and supporting materials which are madeavailable to participating communities and organisations.

It also administers and organises the NationalAddictions Awareness Week now in its 15th year.Says Richard: “This gets people thinking about thingsyou can do other than drinking or drugs and is allabout getting people to engage in other activities thatare more family based.”

Looking ahead, Richard says the Nechi Institute isinvestigating taking its training programmes to thePacific in the future.

International scholarships

Nechi offers a scholarship annually

for international students which

pays all tuition, accommodation

and meals while the recipient is

attending training with the

institute. Students are required to

purchase texts, as well as being

responsible for their own personal

expenses, recreation and travel

fees. Nechi has had students from

New Zealand, Nicaragua, Australia,

Africa, Germany and the United

States attend training as recipients

of this scholarship. “In this way,”

says Richard Jenkins the Director of

Marketing and Health Promotions

at Nechi, who visited New Zealand

last year, “our institute shares our

resources with other Aboriginal

people and those who serve them,

worldwide.”

For more informationon the Nechi Institute,check out its website:www.nechi.com

Nechi’s Richard Jenkins (right) meets withWi Keelan (left) and Bill Katene (centre)

during his visit to ALAC’s national office.

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A recent ‘snapshot’ stocktake by the

Alcohol Advisory Council of early

intervention initiatives being offered in

this country indicates that there is

considerable growth in this area.

ALAC’s Manager Early Intervention Sherif Milladsays the stocktake has identified more activitiesand resources than anticipated. A number ofservices have been newly developed over the lastfive years.

Early Intervention is a new strategic priority forALAC. To assist planning in this area, ALACcommissioned a stocktake of early interventioninitiatives across different sectors, e.g. education,health and social sectors. The stocktake is a‘snapshot’ and is not meant to be comprehensive,Sherif says.

Early intervention is defined by ALAC as anapproach that aims to reduce alcohol-relatedharm through timely identification and tailoredadvice and support for those at risk of harm dueto their hazardous use of alcohol.

A time-restricted stocktake process has identified79 organisations offering early interventionservices. Of those, 72 organisations wereinterviewed about the services they providedand any concerns they had. The interviewsidentified 34 organisations providing earlyintervention services and 16 organisations thatare involved with early intervention but notactually providing the service.

Among the findings were the following:

• Early intervention services for young peopleare the most widely available (around 60percent of the identified services). Services forMäori make up around 20 percent. Theremainder of the services were not targeted tospecific populations.

• Most of the early intervention activities havebeen developed within the health sector(around 64 percent). The balance of theorganisations offering early interventionservices has been equally distributed betweeneducation, social services and other sectors(around 12 percent each).

• There are notable differences over thedefinition of early intervention in differentsectors and between early intervention andbrief intervention.

• There is limited communication betweenorganisations offering early interventionservices. There is a need for morecommunication, information and resources.

Sherif says ALAC is currently looking at ways ofaddressing some of these raised needs.

For further information, contact Sherif Millad byemail: [email protected]

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Stocktake shows growth inearly intervention services

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Sherif Millad

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More than 400 delegates are expected

to be in Wellington from 26 to 28 May

for the 4th International Conference on

Drugs and Young People. It is the first

time this Australian-organised conference

has been held outside Australia and the

organisers are looking forward to the

New Zealand perspective.

Registrations are open to anyone who isinterested in the issues relating to young peopleand drugs and alcohol. The theme for this year’sconference is focusing on solutions, says ALAC’sManager Young People Sandra Kirby.

“People attending past conferences havesometimes commented that there’s often a focuson describing the problems associated withyoung people, but to make a difference we needto act as well as talk.”

The large number of streams at the conferencereflects the range of professionals who areworking to reduce alcohol and drug-relatedharm for young people. “These range fromalcohol and drug education, youth justice,treatment, and health promotion, to policy andenforcement,” Sandra says.

The conference is organised by the AustralianDrug Foundation (ADF), based in Melbourne.The previous conferences have been held inMelbourne and Sydney. All of the last threeconferences have been well attended.

ALAC and a number of other New Zealandorganisations have been working with the ADFto ensure the conference programme meets theneeds of people working in Australia, NewZealand and further afield.

“The conference organisers are confident that alarge number of people will experience thecombined benefits of excellent speakers, a variedprogramme and New Zealand hospitality.

“It is a rare opportunity to have an internationalconference held on your doorstep. Make sureyour organisation takes advantage of theopportunity,” Sandra says.

Drugs and YoungPeople conference

For a registration booklet or further information check out the ADF website link:www.adf.org.au/QA/ficdyp.jsp

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Fremantle is most famous for hosting the America’sCup racing when Australia unsuccessfully defendedthe America’s Cup in 1987. The nine New Zealanderswho went to Fremantle during the most recentAmerica’s Cup were less interested in sailing than inhearing a range of papers and presentations fromall over the world on the topic of preventingsubstance use, risky use and harm.

Two of the New Zealand attendees were ALAC staff– Sandra Kirby, Programme Manager Young Peopleand Wendy Moore, Senior Advisor Policy. On herreturn Sandra said: “During the four day conferenceover 70 papers were presented – all of which wereeffectively publicly peer reviewed. Many of thepapers presented are works in progress and arenot yet able to be cited, however there was a largedegree of consistency in some of the findings.

“As I am still trying to assimilate all of my learningsI have tried to prepare some first reactions ratherthan an in-depth analysis.

• The issues around reducing substance misuseand harm are different for developed countriessuch as New Zealand than they are fordeveloping countries like Sri Lanka. This comesthrough in the work presented by Jurgen Rehmand Robin Room from the WHO report on theglobal burden of disease.

• There is a lot of evidence about what worksand what doesn’t. Unfortunately what works isoften unpopular and those that have beenproven ineffective are popular strategies.

• Evidence for effectiveness includes suchstrategies as: harm reduction (rather thanabstinence based); reducing outlet density;increasing price (tax); rationing.

• Strategies for which there is evidence of littleor no effect include: drug education and massmedia. For both of these popular strategies theevidence for little effect is when the strategiesare used ALONE.

• The challenges are to find ways to ensure thatwhat is effective becomes possible.

• Although young people are often the focus ofpolicy and strategy interventions there is littleevidence that this is effective – particularly ifyoung people are drinking in culturallynormative ways. We need to consider thecultural acceptance of intoxication for all aswell as for young people.

• The prevention paradox – is alive and well.There is debate about whether strategies shouldbe general – such as drink driving has been –or much more targeted at the mostdisadvantaged and the most at-risk communities.

• Randomised controlled trials may not be themost effective research strategy for communitybased prevention work.”

Wendy returned to Wellington commenting that itwas encouraging to find that a lot of what ALACis doing is on track. She said that work such asthat which ALAC has driven around excise tax isconsidered to be potentially very effective.

“We are making some positive moves in NewZealand,” Wendy said. “We’ve got to continue ourcommitment to evidence-based work and stay intouch.

“The conference was probably the best I’ve beento. It was a privilege to meet some of the worldleaders in alcohol-related policy and I look forwardto retaining these contacts and applying many ofthe learnings to the New Zealand situation.”

Preventing substance use,

risky use and harm:

what is evidence-based policy?Kettil Bruun Thematic Meeting

Fremantle is a beautiful little town only 30 minutes out of Perth. Sitting on the edge of the Indian Ocean it has warmsummer temperatures. “Our only regret was not being able to see more of the scenery,” laugh Sandra and Wendy.

Kettil Bruun (1924-1985) servedas the Director of the SocialResearch Institute of AlcoholStudies in Helsinki from 1955 until1968 and as the Secretary of theFinnish Foundation for AlcoholStudies from 1955 until 1980. Heheld a professorship for threeyears at Stockholm University inSweden. He served in a number ofexpert functions in the WorldHealth Organization and in 1971was the first social scientist toreceive the Jellinek Award.

He died suddenly in 1985. Aninternational society, which wasbeing developed was named in hishonour in 1986. The full name ofthe society is Kettil Bruun Societyfor Social and EpidemiologicalResearch on Alcohol. The shortname is Kettil Bruun Society orKBS. Thematic meetings whereresearch is reviewed are ahallmark of the KBS. In 1998 NewZealand hosted a KBS symposiumin Russell.

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New Zealand men’s

basketball team the Tall

Blacks won the supreme

Halberg Award at this

year’s Say When Halberg

Awards at a glittering

ceremony in Auckland

on 20 February.

Sir Edmund Hillary presentedthe supreme award to TallBlack coach Tab Baldwin.This year is the 50thanniversary of Sir Edmund’ssuccessful ascent of MountEverest. After accepting theaward, Tab Baldwin paidtribute to what Sir Edmundhimself had achieved and toother sporting greats fortheir leadership. “We willalways, Sir Edmund, seek toclimb the biggest mountainas you’ve shown us to doand as so many other greatathletes have shown us.”Baldwin also won the Coachof the Year award.

This year the premier sportsawards had a name changeto the Say When HalbergAwards.

Previously called the SayWhen Sports Awards of NewZealand, the name changereflects the growing publicrecognition of the HalbergTrust’s role in running theawards.

ALAC’s Chief ExecutiveOfficer Dr Mike MacAvoysaid the Say When HalbergAwards are ALAC’s mostsignificant sponsorship and

‘Say When’ sponsors theawards because many people– particularly young people –learn their drinking habits insporting environments. TheCouncil is also keen tobalance some of the asso-ciation that exists betweenliquor promotion and sport.

“We want to communicateto this particular market thatperformance on the sportingfield is better withoutalcohol or with moderateconsumption and it’s okay tosay ‘no’ to another drink,”Dr MacAvoy said.

“We acknowledge thatpeople enjoy a drink after agame, but we want peopleto think about the messagesthey’re sending to youngerpeople – their children whomight be watching or otheryoung club members.Children do watch and taketheir lead from adults.”

Halberg Trust founder SirMurray Halberg said ALAC’sinput was crucial inhonouring the country’s eliteathletes, as well as assistingat grassroots level.

“The Say When HalbergAwards are a celebration of

New Zealand sport – achance to commemorategreat achievements,” SirMurray said. “And werecognise the role sport playsin society and how importantgood role models are toyoung people. We also raisemoney to help young NewZealanders with a disabilityto take part in sport andleisure activities.

“We can’t possibly achievethat without sponsorshipand we’re indebted to ALACfor their support.”

Many readers will have seenALAC’s ‘ballerina’ televisioncommercial which ran in themonth leading up to theawards and will continueuntil June. The advertisementreminds adults to think aboutthe messages they are sendingto children about drinking.

As the jingle in theadvertisement says, “ouryoung have their eyes onyou, they are watching anddoing everything that youdo”. The advertisement alsoreminds people to “go hardat your sport – ‘say when’ atthe bar”.

Tall Blacks take top award

The winners for the various categories were:

Halberg AwardNew Zealand men’s basketball team the Tall Blacks

New Zealand Sportswoman of the YearBarbara Kendall

New Zealand Sportsman of the YearCraig Perks

New Zealand Sports Team of the YearTall Blacks

New Zealand Coach of the YearTab Baldwin

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Cutting Edge 2003 will be the eighth CuttingEdge conference to date. It is shaping up to beas good as, if not better, than the series ofprevious highly successful meetings we haveenjoyed and benefited from in recent years inRotorua (2000), Napier (2001) and Nelson (2002).

The venue moves according to a schedule – North,Central and South. This year is the year of theNorth and the organising committee has decidedto hold Cutting Edge 2003 in Waitangi. This is inresponse to a range of northern voices and inrecognition of the commitment of the FarNorth’s alcohol and drug services to pastconferences and the field in general, includingworkforce development.

The theme ‘Spirit of Partnership’ has evolvedfrom thinking and sentiment associated withholding the conference in such a special symbolicplace as Waitangi. Pam Armstrong, Chairpersonof Ngä Manga Puriri and Team Leader of Alcoholand Drug Services Northland Health, is the chairof the organising committee. Keynote speakerPa Henare Tait from Te Tai Tokerau will open the conference.

Residential treatment has been identified as aneglected area for attention in recent CuttingEdge conferences. Dr Eric Broekaert fromBrussels, an international figure in the area oftherapeutic communities, will fill that gap withinthe overall theme ‘Spirit of Partnership’. At theend of the day we need both inpatient andoutpatient services but, more importantlyperhaps, we need them working together well.

Two other well-known people will be keynotespeakers this year. First is Associate Professor AnnRoche, Director of the National Centre for

Education and Training in Addiction, Adelaide,who is also the new Chair of the AustralianProfessional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs.Second is Keith Evans, former CEO of ALAC andnow Chair of the Intergovernmental Committeeon Drugs, based in Canberra.

One of the Cutting Edge conference traditionshas been the invitation of an academic keynotespeaker from outside the alcohol, drug andaddictive disorders field, to provide us withoutside observations, challenges andopportunities for cross-fertilisation of ideas. Thisyear the speaker will be Professor Lloyd Geering.His expertise is religious studies and we lookforward to his synthesis of the variety of spiritualforms and practices that are an integral part ofthe treatment field.

A range of papers, posters and workshops willaddress issues relating to alcohol and other drugsas well as current treatment issues. Clarificationabout the future role of the National TreatmentForum in the context of the development of theDrug and Alcohol Practitioners’ Association willalso be discussed.

This annual conference is always eagerlyanticipated as an opportunity to get together asa field. We can learn from each other as well asfrom the invited speakers. It’s also a time torecharge our working batteries for another yearworking in this fascinating and challenging field.Cutting Edge will once again be organised byLisa Andrews and Lindsay Stringer of theNational Addiction Centre. Conference materialswill be distributed widely in late March.

Cutting Edge, the annual treatment conference of the alcohol, drug and addictive

disorders field, takes place in Waitangi from 28 to 30 August this year. The Alcohol

Advisory Council is the principal sponsor. Associate Professor DOUG SELLMAN,

Director of the National Addiction Centre, who is on the organising committee for

the conference, reports on plans so far.

Spirit of partnership – cutting edge

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A new national year-long project will explore a range of issues

around measuring outcomes for alcohol and drug services.

Known as the Alcohol and DrugOutcomes Project (ADOPT), it will alsoattempt to identify underlying principlesthat could help guide the practice ofoutcome measurement. ResearchOfficers for the project Gareth Edwardsand Meg Harvey, say it is hoped thatthese will provide a basis for developingframeworks for outcome systems thatare useful and meaningful for those whouse them such as consumers, workers,managers and funders.

Recent developments in the mentalhealth field with the Classification andOutcomes Study have highlighted thepotential for research around outcomemeasurement for alcohol and drugservices, Meg says.

“The project will be as inclusive aswilling participants can make it. Boththe project team and its reference groupreflect the collaborative nature of thiswork, covering clinical, academic andnon-governmental organisations acrossthe whole of New Zealand,” she says.

Principal Co-Investigators for the projectare Dr Gail Robinson (Clinical Researchand Resource Centre, Waitemata DHB)and Daryle Deering (National AddictionCentre). The project investigators are DrHelen Warren (Division of Applied

Behavioural Science, University ofAuckland), Paul Roberts (NationalAddiction Centre), Dr Grant Paton-Simpson (Clinical Research andResource Centre), Simon Adamson(National Addiction Centre) and AmandaWheeler (Clinical Research andResource Centre).

To ensure the project is representativeof all the alcohol and drug sectors, theorganisers intend to consult with asmany people in the field as possible,Meg says. “People in the field will beasked to express their thoughts on anumber of issues such as: What are‘outcomes’? What areas are important tomeasure? What systems are already inplace and how well do they operate?What are the key issues to implementingand sustaining outcome measurement?”

The project is due for completion inNovember this year.

If you’d like to be involved in the consultationprocess or want further information, contact theresearch officers:

Gareth Edwards (Clinical Research and Resource Centre)[email protected]

Meg Harvey (National Addiction Centre)[email protected]

Outcomes project

The Kith and Kin, Whaanau WhaanuiFamilies, Children and AddictionsTrust is planning to develop aresource to facilitate the inclusion offamily members in services. The trustis currently collecting baseline dataon levels of family participation intreatment. This year it will also belooking at which inclusive services arecurrently being offered, and creatinga database of this information.

Trust coordinator Trish Gledhill saystrust members have been meetingregularly in Auckland and HawkesBay since the trust was established inFebruary last year. “We continue toadvocate for and support current anddeveloping services in the field withplans to extend this role to a morepolitical level,” she says.

She adds: “We are grateful to havehad the active support of a number ofpeople in the alcohol and drug field.”

Trish Gledhill can be contacted forfurther information about the trust.Email her at [email protected]

Lisa Andrews and Lindsay Stringerare available to answer any queries.Contact either Lisa or Lindsay byemail: [email protected] [email protected]

The National Centre for TreatmentDevelopment (Alcohol, Drugs andAddiction), or NCTD as it was known,changed its name last year to theNational Addiction Centre. Check outits website at www.addiction.org.nz

Update on Kith and Kin

Doug Sellman

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Scholarship will assist New Zealand work

Each year, the ALAC Counciloffers scholarships for thoseworking in the alcoholtreatment and healthpromotion fields. Thepurpose is to enable workersto undertake intensive andextended periods of study inthe alcohol and drug fieldeither within New Zealandor overseas.

Gary Harrison was wellknown in the alcohol anddrug field in New Zealand.He worked as ALAC’sTreatment Advisor andDeputy Chief Executiveduring the period 1985 to1990. Before working withALAC, Gary was Director ofPresbyterian Support ServicesAlcohol and Drug

Dependence Programme inAuckland. He died of cancerin 1990. The ALAC Councilinstituted the scholarship inhis memory.

The Gary Harrison Scholarship

For more information about the Gary Harrison Scholarship,check out the ALAC website: www.alcohol.org.nz. Or contactPhilip Parkinson, Manager Central Region, the AlcoholAdvisory Council. Tel: 04-472-0997 or Call free 0508-258-258.

The CRAFFT test is a briefsubstance abuse screeningdevice. CRAFFT is namedfor a set of questions thetest uses. They are:

Have you ever ridden in acar driven by someone(including yourself) whowas ‘high’ or had beenusing alcohol or drugs?

Do you ever use alcohol ordrugs to relax, feel betterabout yourself, or fit in?

Do you ever use alcohol ordrugs while you are byyourself, alone?

Do you ever forget thingsyou did while using alcoholor drugs?

Do your family or friendsever tell you that youshould cut down on yourdrinking or drug use?

Have you ever gotten intotrouble while you wereusing alcohol or drugs?

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AF

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Being awarded the GaryHarrison Memorial Scholarship2002 will give its recipientAnn Flintoft the opportunity toobserve how a ground-breaking research and trainingfacility in the United Statescarries out its work.

Ann, who is a Lecturer in theSchool of Health Sciences atMassey University, will visit theUniversity of New Mexico Centreon Alcoholism, Substance Abuseand Addictions. Ann describesthe centre as the “breedingground of CRAFFT, the DrinkersProfile and MotivationalInterviewing”.

While there she intends toinvestigate their teaching clinicas a model for teaching in NewZealand and catch up on theirapplications to gender, age,ethnicity and co-morbidity.

Ann currently teaches courses inAlcohol and Drug Treatment,Dual Diagnosis, Rehabilitation

and Counselling. She is aClinical Psychologist and hasworked in the Addictions andMental Health field for 20 years.

Ann says she appreciates theopportunity the ALAC scholarshipwill give her to observe theimplementation and training ofnovel interventions that may beapplicable in New Zealand.

She will also attend the Trainingthe Trainers workshop onMotivational Interviewing beingheld in Crete in June. Once theworkshop is completed she willbe eligible to maintain anongoing international relation-ship with trainer/clinicians andresearchers in MotivationalInterviewing via the MotivationalInterviewing Network of Trainers,which currently has no NewZealand representative. “JoelPorter from Waikato DistrictHealth Board is also attendingthe workshop and we will beable to support each other thereand on our return.”

Before returning she will alsovisit England to see first-handthe new clinical practices ofSocial Behaviour and NetworkTherapy (SBNT). Ann says shehas long advocated with hercolleagues and students forgreater involvement of the‘family’ in treatment and earlyintervention. SBNT draws froma number of strategies (e.g.social aspects of the CommunityReinforcement Approach) withthe purpose of building socialsupport for a change indrinking. It is currently beinginvestigated as part of theUnited Kingdom AlcoholTreatment Trial to compare thissocially focused treatmentpackage with individual-focusedinterventions like MotivationalEnhancement Therapy.

Ann Flintoft

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Cate Kearney, recipient of the 2001 GaryHarrison Memorial Scholarship, applied forthe award to enable her to visit a number ofwomen-only alcohol and drug services inAustralia last year.

Cate, who is Women’s Coordinator, CommunityAlcohol and Drug Service, Christchurch, visitedservices in three Australian cities in NewSouth Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Women-only alcohol and drug services areone of a range of treatment options availablefor those with substance misuse issues, saysCate. “Women’s services are unique in thatthey respond to multiple, physical,psychological and social issues. They oftenaddress childcare and parenting issues andrespond to trauma-based behaviour.”

Cate says New Zealand women’s services, whilenew, have experienced funding challengesand some services have closed after relativelyshort periods of service provision.

Cate has written a report on her visit to theservices. In it she describes each of the services‘organisation, treatment methods, processesand retention rates. She reports on interviewsconducted with service managers and leadingresearchers. The report makes a number ofrecommendations for New Zealand women-only services relating to increased advocacy andresourcing, greater recognition of women’streatment issues, evidence-based practiceguidelines and workforce development.

Cate Kearney’s report, entitled Women’sAlcohol and Drug Services in Australia, isavailable from ALAC’s regional offices.

REGIONAL OFFICES

Auckland 09-916-0330 [email protected]

Christchurch 03-365-8540 [email protected]

Wellington 04-472-0997 [email protected]

Call free 0508-258-258

Women’s services focus of

2001 scholarship

Drug Helpline launched

Cate Kearney

Paul Traynor, who manages thehelpline, with Minister of HealthHon Annette King at the launch.

A new Drug Helpline has joined the AlcoholHelpline funded by the Alcohol AdvisoryCouncil. People concerned about their ownor others’ drug use can now contact theDrug Helpline which has been establishedwith initial funding from the Ministry ofHealth. Minister of Health Hon Annette Kinglaunched this new helpline in December.

The Drug Helpline is a free nationwide telephoneservice, offering confidential information, adviceand referrals for people with questions abouttheir own or someone else’s drug use.

Alcohol Drug Association New Zealand (ADA)Chief Executive Paul Traynor, who manages bothhelplines, said the Drug Helpline had beenestablished to meet the needs of the growingnumbers of calls to the Alcohol Helpline aboutdrugs. “We need to provide quality information,

support and referral so people can get thehelp they need,” he said.

Staff at the Alcohol Helpline who work onboth the Alcohol and Drug Helplinescompleted a training programme last year.The training included general issues aroundsubstance abuse, classification of drugs and types,detoxification and withdrawal, information aboutdifferent drugs and motivational skills training.

The launch of the Drug Helpline has also coincidedwith the revamp of the Alcohol Drug Associationof New Zealand (ADA) website which now includesmore in-depth information on other drugs.

The number for the Drug Helpline is 0800-787-797and people can call between 10am and 10pm daily.

Alcohol Drug Association of New Zealand website:www.adanz.org.nz

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Successfulsummer message

A series of stickers with safemessages around alcohol andpartying were included inparty packs given out toyoung people at eventsduring the summer periodincluding the alcohol-freeNew Year’s event known asthe Cusp.

The “Think about others –care for yourself” messagewasn’t just about alcohol.Instead the party packscombined a number ofrelevant safety messages foryoung people. Along withthe stickers in the pack werea set of ear-plugs (“lookafter your ears”), a site mapfor the event, an individual

“Think about others – care for yourself” was the

message this summer to young people in Nelson

as they partied at a number of events during

the New Year period.

Chupa Chup sweets and sunsafe promotional material.Free bottles of H2go waterand a water tank to replenishwater supplies were alsomade available, thanks tosponsors Frucor Beverages.

Health Action in Nelson andthe Nelson City Councilproduced the four alcohol-related stickers, each ofwhich had a number ofsafety messages mainly aboutgood partying.

Examples of messagesincluded one in the stickerentitled “Going Partying”,which advised young peopleto “tell someone u trustwhere you’re going”.“Partying” urged youngpeople to “stick with yourmates, look out for eachother” and “When GoodPartying Goes Bad” advised“if a person is very drunk

make sure they’re in a safeplace and not alone”. Afourth sticker was on thetheme of the cost of breakingthe law relating to underagedrinking and supplyingalcohol to under 18s.

Health Action’s JoseCachemaille says the stickerswere part of a largercoordination strategydesigned to ensure thatNelson had a safe New Year’sEve. They were developed inpartnership with a numberof Nelson organisations.

Nelson City Council employedJude Tarr as a health andsafety coordinator for thesummer events. She says as aresult of all the planningthat went into the Cuspevent the 5000-7000 youngpeople who attendedenjoyed a safe and securebut exciting event. “Therewas policing at the gate, acommunications system set

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Neavin Broughton

Annette Beattie has joined ALAC as the new ManagerInformation Services. Annette has come from the Ministry ofWomen’s Affairs where she was Strategic Information Specialist,responsible for realising the Ministry’s newly restructuredInformation Services. While there, Annette oversaw preparationsfor a document management system and intranet.

Previously, Annette lived in the South Island, initially managing aWest Coast tavern, and latterly working for TVNZ as the SeniorResearcher, News Video Research in the Christchurch newsroom.During her time with TVNZ she was involved in the developmentof the company’s first intranet. Annette has also worked at theNational Library and Alexander Turnbull Library.

Annette has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a Diploma inLibrarianship, both from Victoria University.

New faces at ALAC

Neavin Broughton (Ngä Ruahinerangi, Ngai te Rangi, Ngäti Awa)has joined ALAC as its Kaiwhakarite for the Mäori WhänauProgramme and will be part of the Mäori Whänau team.

Before coming to ALAC Neavin was a health promoter for theRegional Public Health Alcohol and Tobacco and Other Drugsservice working on Mäori-specific projects. His role thereincluded event management and assisting with smokingcessation programmes. The main focus of his work was withKöhanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa, marae and iwi.

Neavin has also been a Kaiako (teacher) at Motu Kairangi TeKöhanga Reo in Miramar in Wellington. During his three yearsthere, he spent two as head Kaiako.

He has a BA in Mäori and Education from Victoria University.Neavin says a “huge influence” in his life has been his formersecondary school, Te Aute College in Hawkes Bay. He spent fiveyears, from 1988 to 1992, at the Mäori boys’ boarding school.“What really impacted on me was the calibre of people I wentthrough school with and who are all doing really well in theirchosen careers.”

Neavin lives with his partner Anita, his two brothers Aiden, 20,and Leighton, 18, and a cousin, Hui. “We share a really colourfulhouse,” he says. His focus is on family and he believes that allfamilies have the ability to create a supportive environment asa foundation for positive progress.

It’s a philosophy he is intending to bring with him to thework he’ll be doing at ALAC and with the field.

Annette Beattie

up for all those involved inorganising the event andeducation and safety messagesfor the young peoplethroughout the venue.”

ALAC’s Manager YoungPeople’s Programmes SandraKirby says linking up anumber of messages foryoung people like this in acreative way is a great idea.“Including messages aboutsun safety and other issueswith the alcohol informationmakes much more sense foryoung people. This initiative,like others around thecountry, shows what can bedone when communitygroups, local Council andyoung people work together.“

If other community groupswould like to learn moreabout planning safe events, [email protected]

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Event Coordinator Darryl Coppinsdisplays the set of stickers whichwere included in the party packs.

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ALAC resourcesOver the past few months ALAC has reprinted a numberof its key resources. These items are intended fordistribution via health professionals.

Titles for the general publicThe Party Plannerleaflet includes someHost Responsibilityguidelines, party foodand alcohol-free drinksuggestions plus tips to make your party beone your friends live to remember (these aresent out in bundles of 50).

Message in a Bottle To drink or not to drink? Thisleaflet gives young people the facts and options aboutalcohol, as well as some handy tips, so they can make safechoices (bundles of 20).

Women and Alcohol Because alcohol affectswomen differently from men and is potentially moreharmful, it is important for women to have accurateinformation to help them make decisions about theirdrinking (bundles of 20).

Titles for health professionalsDrinking and Your Health series including:

• Stopping Drinking

• Maintaining the Change

• Cutting Down (bundles of 10)

3 x A4 bar signage, including• Can you afford $200 for a drink?• Are you breaking the law? You risk a fine of up to

$2000• Alcohol will not be supplied to anyone who is

intoxicated (bundles of 20)

Phone your nearest ALAC regional office to request theabove items (contact details below).

The journeys of eight Mäori men and women

through addiction, treatment and recovery are the

subject of a new ALAC video documentary.

Ngä Huarahi has been produced specifically for use in atreatment setting and is intended for clients who are Mäori orwho are interested in a Mäori kaupapa pathway.

The video has been produced and directed by Michael Bird whohas previously produced the Had Enough? video documentaryand corresponding TV advertisements for ALAC.

ALAC’s Senior Advisor Treatment Ian MacEwan says the videois not intended to be a ‘how to’ of treatment. Rather it is auseful therapeutic tool which will inspire others on theirjourney. “Pre-testing has shown that people dealing withtheir own addiction issues relate strongly to the stories of theeight people in the documentary,” he says.

“Its best use will be to trigger structured discussions either in group or individual contexts. It is hoped it will encouragepeople in the value of making changes, in the efficacy oftreatment and in knowing that this road is a well-troddenone. The video highlights the importance of spirituality inrecovery for several of those shown in the video. For most ofthe eight people involved in the video, an affirming of theirMäori identity was critical.”

The programme is broken into 12 sections. It can be used as awhole, or by section, or in two halves: pre- and post-recovery.

Journeys fromaddiction to recovery

Copies of Ngä Huarahi are available from ALAC’s threeregional offices.

REGIONAL OFFICES AUCKLAND 09-916-0330 [email protected] • CHRISTCHURCH 03-365-8540 [email protected]

WELLINGTON 04-472-0997 [email protected] • CALL FREE 0508-258-258

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Electronic Mailing List for the Alcohol and Drug Field

An electronic mailing list has been set up to enable individuals to communicate via email with

other alcohol and drug professionals in New Zealand.

The mailing list is intended to promote communication between people working in related fields.

Subscribe Now!You can subscribe in either of these two ways:

If you have access to the web, subscribe by going to

http://lists.netlink.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/aandd

You will find a form to fill out. You will need to choose a password.

If you don’t have access to the web, send an email message to

[email protected] leaving the subject line blank.

In the body of the message type

Subscribe ***** (where ***** is an alphanumeric password

of your choice between 4 and 8 characters).

If you have any problems with the above, or for

further information, please contact Eve Young.

Email: [email protected]. Tel: 04-472-0997.

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