Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Drugs Knowledge Action
Penington Institute95 Drummond Street Carlton Vic 3053 Australia
Phone: (03) 9650 0699 International callers: + 61 3 9650 0699 Fax: (03) 9650 1600 Email: [email protected]
www.penington.org.au
This publication is available online © 2014 This material is not to be reprinted without the permission of Penington Institute. Stock photos have been used in this publication.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR NAMESAKE
In my career as a physician and an educator I have worked with great colleagues in seeking to influence public opinion and governments on important health issues such as AIDS, alcohol and other drug use. Our efforts met great success in curbing damage to the Australian community from AIDS, but have had mixed success on illicit drug policy. However, these efforts were part of a career-long commitment to save lives and alleviate suffering and they still continue.
This is why I am proud to lend my name to the Penington Institute. From the roots of needle and syringe programs during the AIDS epidemic in 1986, to today, these programs have made an unwavering commitment to saving lives. Anex was founded in 1995 as a relatively informal body supporting needle exchange. In 2001, with a CEO and a formal board overseeing its development through advocacy, awareness and action, it has supported the scattered staff of these programs. Now well beyond Victoria, it is using knowledge and evidence to effect positive change in the wider field of policy over problematic drug use.
The availability of new drugs sourced via the internet, the methamphetamine ‘ice epidemic’ and injecting drug use spreading into new communities are a few examples
“I am honoured to give my name to an organisation that is making a real difference to the health and safety of the Australian community.”
of just how challenging it is to effectively tackle the changing face of drug use. For 13 years Anex has provided courageous leadership and dedication in its work in this difficult but very important area with frontline staff, with policy makers, governments and local communities.
Today, Penington Institute is well placed to make a real difference in mobilising the debate in ways that will advocate evidence-based drug policy and changing public attitudes towards alcohol and illicit drug problems. It will work in close collaboration with others in seeking rational evolution of policy to achieve better outcomes.
Not only do I support Penington Institute in its work, but I am honoured to give my name to an organisation that is committed to making a real difference to the health, safety and wellbeing of the Australian community.
Emeritus Professor David Penington AC
Penington Institute | 3
Image: Simon Schluter, Fairfax Syndication
Emeritus Professor David Penington AC
Penington Institute | 4
LEADING THE WAY
Chief patron Emeritus Professor Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE“I support Penington Institute because they are leading the way in putting the issue of overdose and problematic drug use on the public health agenda.”
PatronsProfessor Margaret Hamilton AO“I’m concerned about people who find themselves in troubled times and places and situations, for whatever reason. Penington Institute will take a humane and pragmatic stance in the public debate about drug and alcohol issues.”
The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG“The institute will play an important role in advancing the enlightenment contained in the early work of Professor Penington. The road ahead will be difficult and challenging. But, step-by-step, progress will be made and Australia will be a leader.”
Emeritus Professor David Penington AC“The institute will be bringing in very respected contributors to help mobilise the debate in ways that will help to change community attitudes to alcohol and illicit drug problems.”
Our boardProfessor Steve Wesselingh (Chair)“There is a new drug on the street almost every week and Penington Institute needs to constantly renew the old paradigms of harm minimisation.”
Ms Kathryn Greiner AO“To address the tragedies related to drug use, as a mature nation we need a rational evidence-based discussion informing public health policies that work to improve health for all.”
Professor Ian Gust AO“The Institute’s greatest potential contribution lies in its ability to create rational public debate and generate good data about drug and alcohol issues.”
The Honourable Robert Knowles AO“By building a system around a recovery model and harm minimisation, addressing mental health and drug-dependence problems, we can support people to recover and enable them to lead a contributing life.”
Mr Terry Scanlon“The better informed we all are, the more aware we’ll be of the alternatives to law enforcement as a way of dealing with drugs.”
Dr Ingrid van Beek AM“I hope to promote evidence-based public health policy-making in this often controversial field through my work with Penington Institute.”
The Honourable David White“We’re concerned about both prisoners and innocent people who may be exposed after the prisoners return to the community. I see drug reform as a national issue – one that demands persistence but we will ultimately succeed.”
Mr Scott Wilson“Penington Institute’s focus in future is about ensuring that the most vulnerable people, including Indigenous drug users and their families, won’t be left behind.”
Between 2000 and 2009, Needle and Syringe Programs prevented over 100,000 new HIV and hepatitis C infections, saving Australia $1.28 billion in direct healthcare costs.
Working towards positive change More Australians die from overdose than the road toll and tens of thousands more suffer the consequences of problematic drug use. From violence and family breakdown to viral infection and mental health issues, from lost productivity and opportunity to the expenditure of tax dollars, substance use problems affect everyone.
For more than 30 years, Emeritus Professor David Penington has offered a rational approach to addressing drug use in Australia, emphasising it is a public health issue. Penington Institute will continue this noble tradition of using evidence and basic human decency to improve health and community safety.
The efficiency and effectiveness of our current approach to problematic substance use should be rigorously and continually evaluated and debated. But such a discussion needs to be based, not on tough talk or exploitation of fear, but reason and compassion. Innovation must be embraced if we want to make a real difference.
We will continue our work of supporting frontline workers with the latest evidence, grow our public health education campaigns including expanding the reach of International Overdose Awareness Day. We will also continue to build a sustainable organisation with fruitful strategic relationships.
Penington Institute is rethinking how communities should tackle problematic drug use, not out of idle curiosity but because as a community we need to use knowledge to take action for positive change.
The breadth of our work has grown over the years and this is largely due to the perseverance and dedication of our eminent patrons, board, service workers and supporters across the community.
With such support, Penington Institute will ensure lives can be saved, that disease can be prevented and that people have a fair opportunity to be healthy and make a positive contribution.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
John Ryan, CEO, Penington Institute
Penington Institute | 6
1,383 Australians died of overdose in 2011, outnumbering the number of deaths on our roads.
1,383More than 35% of Australians over 14 years old have tried illicit drugs, mostly cannabis.
35%
68% of drug deaths in Australia involve multiple drugs including alcohol.
68%
International Overdose Awareness DayPrevention and Remembrance
International Overdose Awareness Day is a campaign that promotes drug overdose prevention and awareness messages and supports families who have lost loved ones to overdose.
The campaign runs throughout the year, culminating in high-profile support on 31 August when organisations all around the world run events and spread health and safety information. Most importantly, International Overdose Awareness Day allows people to come together and tackle overdose as a community.
LucidSeeing through problems
A program for employers and employees, Lucid provides consultation and support on how to manage drug and alcohol issues in the workplace. This program supports employers, staff and community organisations by providing information and guidance in policy development and awareness training.
Anex Harm minimisation training and support
Working with health professionals, Anex delivers training, support and information networking to the health workforce, including those focused on communicable diseases, alcohol and other drugs and primary health care. Anex also promotes evidence-based practice, especially for needle and syringe programs (NSPs) and other services minimising drug-related harm to individuals and the wider community.
Anex tailors programs for different community groups and organisations such as Indigenous Community Forums, Mother and Child Information Sessions and Rural and Remote Community Meetings.
OUR PROGRAMS
COPE (Community Overdose Prevention and Education) Saving lives
The Community Overdose Prevention and Education program (COPE) supports a multi-sector effort to raise awareness and provide training in overdose response, including the use of naloxone, an overdose reversal drug, available to people who may witness a family member, friend or colleague’s overdose.
Industry Conferences and SeminarsPenington Institute conferences and seminars draw professionals from across the health and drug services sector to share their insights and research about current and emerging substance use issues. Law enforcement bodies, drug prevention, treatment organisations and other community groups also attend, enabling key stakeholders to collaborate in developing new ways of tackling problematic drug use in the community.
Penington Institute | 9
“It is encouraging to see so many members of the community attend our forums. After all, drugs are a community problem that needs to be addressed by the community as a whole.’’Crios O’Mahony, Penington Institute, Workforce Development Project Lead
Over 4,000 frontline workers received training and support through our programs in 2013.
Penington Institute | 10
SUPPORTING US As a national not-for-profit health organisation, Penington Institute relies on the support of the community we serve to continue our important work. In order to grow and develop our programs, additional funding is vital.
Your contribution could help save a life.Supporting Penington Institute helps us to continue advocating for sensible drug policy, providing workforce support and development and delivering health and safety messages by growing our International Overdose Awareness Day public health campaign.
How you can help?If you would like to donate or discuss corporate partnership or sponsorship opportunities, please call our Manager, Philanthropy and Sponsorship on:
Phone: 03 9650 0699 Email: [email protected]
“My partner, Shane, was never a user of illicit drugs, rarely a drinker and always held down a steady job. He contracted a bad bout of glandular fever and was constantly taking painkillers for his symptoms. Unwittingly, he drifted into addiction.
“Early one morning his father, Keith, looked in on Shane in his bedroom and took his snoring to mean he was sleeping deeply so he left him to rest. When Keith returned an hour later he thought it was strange that Shane wasn’t snoring any more. He tried to rouse him but got no response. Then he realised, tragically his son, my partner, was gone. Shane was a good man, we miss him terribly. ”
Alicia (partner of Shane aged 29)
ALICIA’S STORY
Image: Chris Harvey / Shutterstock.com
More than 3 million Australians were exposed to live-saving health messages through our International Overdose Awareness Day campaign.
Drugs Knowledge Action
Penington Institute95 Drummond Street Carlton Vic 3053 Australia
Phone: (03) 9650 0699 International callers: + 61 3 9650 0699 Fax: (03) 9650 1600 Email: [email protected]
www.penington.org.au
This publication is available online © 2014 This material is not to be reprinted without the permission of Penington Institute. Stock photos have been used in this publication.
