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News + Events

YoDAA is in touch with the latest research, policy announcements, practice trends and training relevant to Youth AOD work. Get it all in one place.

Practice

Is Rat Park the best way to look at substance use?

...

2157
Practice

Advocating for young people in schools

If you are supporting young people who are still engaged in education, there’s every chance you have had to attend a meeting with the school/education program to discuss the management of challenging behaviors in the classroom....

2170
Practice

Exploring Methamphetamine with Prof. Nicole Lee

...

2198
Research

What is FASD and how common is it?

You may very well have heard/seen the letters FASD thrown around in a care team meeting or written in a client report, but what is FASD? ...

2198
Practice

Why doesn't my child think about the future?

Why does my child think about the future? Why do they make such bad decisions? Can’t they see what they are doing is bad for them?...

2198

Who's who in the world of Mental Health?

Choosing a mental health professional can be tricky! Knowing the difference between a counsellor, a psychologist and a psychiatrist can help you find the best mental health professional to meet a young person’s needs. ...

2213

IV Users – Opioids VS. Methamphetamines

There has been a lot of research into the wellbeing of people who inject opiates but little is known about the experience of people who inject methamphetamines. ...

2213

Drug dependency: is it a health or criminal issue?

It has been 16 years since Portugal decriminalized drug possession and in that time there has been a lot of talk and at times misrepresentation of the facts....

2213
Practice

When can I get a job?

Did you know the laws for the legal age of employment have slightly changed?...

2227
Policy

Protecting our Young People!

The work now continues with government and organisations working with children and young people in making social change! ...

2227
Research

Roadside Drug Testing: How does it work?

...

2227
Practice

Youth, Crime and What's really going on

So what's really is going on out there? What are the current facts on youth crime in Victoria and are all young people actually evil...

2241
Practice

Radical New Approaches to Harm Reduction

Making changes can save lives!...

2241
Practice

Best Practice Youth Work

The term ‘best practice’ is used often in youth work. What does best practice mean for youth workers and the work we do? ...

2241
Practice

CLEAN UP YOUR LANGUAGE – The Global Drug Commission look at language.

The words we use can create stigma and discrimination, lets start thinking about what we say. ...

2241
Research

What's News in 2018!

Look back on past edition of the YoDAA E-Newsletter from 2018....

2253

…AND THAT’S A WRAP FOR 2017

2017 has been a big year for the AoD sector in Victoria! We have seen two ground breaking things get the green light, two things many of us in the sector never thought we would see. We welcome a safe injecting room in Richmond and the legalisation of medical cannabis in Victoria. ...

2281
Practice

Revolution in Hepatitis C Treatment at Austin Health!

Did you know that treating Hepatitis C is now safe, simple and highly effective?...

2281
Practice

Methamphetamine - what do we know?

One way to help young people understand their use is to help them to understand the substance they are using. ...

2297
Practice

Where is your Out Of Home Care LookOut?

Research shows the longer a young person can stay in school the more likely they are going keep connection and meet developmental milestones. ...

2297
Research

Youth offending, what do we know?

Youth offending is a topic that gets a lot of people talking!...

2297
Research

What is the harm?

Understanding young people who self harm and their AoD use. ...

2297
Practice

WHAT’S NOT CANNABIS….SYNTHETIC CANNABIS

...

2311
Research

"Nangs" and "Poppers"

Want to know more about "Nangs" and "Poppers"?...

2339
Research

Great new podcast by Dr. Suzi Gage

Want to know more about substances from an accurate and informed source?...

2339
Research

Breaking new ground on medical cannabis research in Australia

Australia is taking a big step forward in understanding medical cannabis and how it works. ...

2339
Practice

Why hearing young people is so important

Why is it so important to involve young people?...

2353
Practice

New resources for workers

We love a good resource and know you love them too!...

2353

GHB in the Media

Reporting on GHB - a bit of back and forth about how it should be done......

2380
Practice

Australian Youth AoD Conference 2017

Australian Youth AoD Conference 2017 was two big days, filled with lots of learning, networking and amazing content. ...

2401
Research

What we learnt this year from the stats

2016 has seen some interesting results come from the National Drug Survey and the Global Drug Survey. ...

2422
Practice

Scaring a young person into not using drugs

Using scare tactics to discourage drug use can be very appealing for family members & schools who are…well…scared. ...

2428
Policy

Taking a stand for accurate information

It's about time that journalists reported facts not fiction ...

2437
Practice

Helping engage the precontemplative

How do you actually help the contemplative teen?...

2437
Practice

What does success look like?

Understanding realistic expectations for young people is so important ...

2484
Practice

Developing the essence of adolescents

At YoDAA we speak so often about boundaries and consequences and have even coined the term “kicking a young person IN TO the house, not out of the house”. ...

2484
Practice

Helpful resources for youth AoD workers

Some things that you might have missed from the YoDAA Enewletters this year. ...

2486
Research

Mission Australia’s 2012 -2016 Youth Mental Health Survey outcomes

Findings from the 2012 -2016 Mission Australia and Black Dog Institutes Youth Mental Health Survey ...

2486
Practice

Understanding Young People in 2017

We work with young people every day, supporting them, advocating for them, encouraging and empowering them to make change, but do we really understand them? ...

2486
Practice

Learning from the past

What have we learnt from the past in the AoD sector? How far have we come?...

2486
Research

Psychedelics what do we know?

Learn about psychedelics, there history and their future. ...

2486
Practice

New resources from Drugslab and The Drug Policy Alliance

We get so excited when we find new resources that are packed with AoD education, harm reduction strategies and accurate facts....

2486
Research

What do we know about trauma?

Understanding trauma is essential to working young people in the AoD sector. ...

2493
Practice

Whats “THE CODE”?

Knowing where we ethically sit can sometimes be a bit tricky...

2493
Research

Newly released Youth and Substance Abuse by Kathryn Daley

Brand new book speaking about young people’s journeys in to and out of substance use....

2493
Research

The wise men creating new understanding in the AoD sector.

There is lots of work being done in the AoD sector to understand addiction better. ...

2506
Research

What is new with Opioids?

In the 90’s it was hard to miss the heroin crisis that Melbourne was grappling with, now in 2017 media is presenting us with an ice epidemic. ...

2506
Practice

What’s that slang you’re using?

Say what? There are so many different names and terms for substances, here is a run down! ...

2506
Practice

This is your brain and other changes in the Youth AoD Sector.

20 years ago there were different messages about alcohol and drug use and how to keep people safe. ...

2506
Practice

You Can't Ask That

Have you ever wanted to ask the really hard questions? You Can't Ask That is a series doing just that. ...

2521
Research

The World Health Organisation is looking at Cannabis

The World Health Organisation is taking a look at Cannabis for the first time in 82 years. ...

2521
Research

How influential is advertising?

Alcohol is the most consumed substances in Australia, yet we know it cause the most social and physical harms to society. ...

2521
Practice

Cracks in the ice

Introducing Cracks in the Ice, a government based website supporting families, workers and the community. ...

2521
Practice

The First Stop

New website helping with support and referrals in the Inner East. ...

2535
Policy

2016 ADOLESCENT WITHDRAWAL GUIDELINES

Youth Workers Helping GP’s Respond to Youth Substance Use...

2651
Practice

Drug Stats Insight

A new website which provides an insight into drug-related ambulance data has been unveiled....

2665
Practice

Synthetic Cannabis - Updated Safety Warning

Alerts have been issues about a type of synthetic cannabis called “Blue Lotus”. There have been reports of 20 people presenting at hospitals in states of psychosis....

2756
Practice

7 new tips for safer injecting

With the controversial introduction of a new 1mm fit to Victorian Needle Syringe Programs, YoDAA has put together a harm reduction resource for Youth AOD workers supporting young people who inject substances. ...

2792
Research

Does mixing cannabis make it harder to quit?

New research about tobacco and cannabis. ...

2806
Practice

Explaining Harm Reduction To Families (NEW resource)

Help families understand the most effective tool we have to keep young people who are already using drugs, safe from harm....

2974
Practice

Holiday Survive N Thrive Guide

YoDAA has gathered some of the best activities and resources for young people who's usual services and supports are on hiatus. ...

3011
Practice

Brilliant new video resource about cannabis use

Sensitive, thoughtful, funny, balanced and well made. These are not usually words we use to describe drug education videos but this 28 minute film developed by researchers at the UBC School of Nursing is not like any drug ed video you have ever seen before....

3084
Practice

Public or Private Detox and Rehabilitation?

YoDAA has long held the position that anyone who genuinely cares about a young person and is willing to get to know and sit beside them can make an impact on a young person’s AOD use. But what if that person is a self-proclaimed AOD expert paid for by the young person’s family?...

3087

YoDAA Team Bookclub

The YoDAA team love seeing a different perspective on Drug Use in print....

3116
Practice

Fact Check: Is Ice more dangerous and more addictive than any other drug?

Read this leading experts powerful response....

3126

...As a good parent would...

Victoria’s commissioner for children & young people has published an inquiry into the adequacy of residential care services & the sexual abuse of young people who call these units home....

3129

Heywire: Giving Voice to Rural Young People

Young regional Australians telling it like it is and making a difference....

3133
Practice

New Youth AOD Toolbox Moduels: Sexual Health, Blood Born Viruses, Living Skills

AOD experts in youth work, social work and health have pooled their collective knowledge and experience to bring you the 3 latest modules in the Youth AOD toolbox....

3179
Practice

When family contact is harmful: fact sheet for workers (and other amazing resources)

The latest Youth AOD toolbox module brings you everything you have ever wanted to know about working with families....

3179
Research

Problematic substance use and its impact on siblings

New research delves into the experience of the brothers and sisters of young people with problematic substance use....

3179
Research

Understanding and responding to steroid use

New research reveals trends in steroid use in Australia & gaps in knowledge about illicit steroid use. ...

3179
Research

Students exposed to a harm min message at school experience less harm

New research from Australian 2 year trial....

3220

Harm Reduction Portraits put Meth Mugshots to shame

Participants at the 10th National Harm Reduction Conference address the very personal impact of drug-related harms in this stunning photo project...

3235
Practice

Take the YoDAA drug facts quiz!

Do you know your Suboxone from your Seroquel? Your Methadone from your Methamphetamines? Take the drug facts quiz and test your AOD knowledge....

3242
Practice

Three phone calls a day from a worried parent?

Addressing parent concerns whilst maintaining client privacy can be challenging (and time consuming). Answer frequently asked questions with these 5 parent resources. ...

3247
Research

US Government forks out $$ to promote meth use

The research is in, mass media scare campaigns don't work and can actually increase drug use. ...

3259
Policy

Strategies to tackle Ice use can't remain frozen in time

Australia cannot simply “police our way out” problematic methamphetamine use and “more money needs to be spent on treatment and prevention.”...

3263
Practice

Not quite Game of Thrones but pretty cool viewing nonetheless

Youth AOD workers have been sending us their favourite AOD videos. Check out this weeks top 3 picks....

3263
Practice

5 cannabis resources you’ll want to share with others

Working with young people who us cannabis? Take your harm minimisation to the next level with YoDAA's top 5 most shareable cannabis resources....

3267
Policy

Youth AOD work in Victoria-A vision realised and the next generation

YSAS, in collaboration with YoDAA and the Centre for YouthAOD practice development has published a definitive Youth AOD document titled, "The Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Service System-A vision realised"...

3274
Practice

New Youth AOD Centre launched!

YSAS has launched the Centre for YouthAOD practice Development....

3274

Writing an assignment? YoDAA answers student FAQ's

Around assignment time, YoDAA is inundated with requests from students. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions....

3284
Research

Pre loading, happy hour and missing the last train home

New research compares a big night out for urban & outer urban young people...

3292
Research

Don’t mention the “d” word

How schools can work on drug issues without working on drugs....

3297
Practice

The nature of drug problems and addiction.

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It is human connection.”...

3311
Practice

“Strawberry Quick”- flavoured methamphetamine.

YoDAA has received an indirect report from a school based source about an apparent new drug called “strawberry quick” or flavoured methamphetamine. ...

3312
Practice

Digital AOD tool update.

Have you checked out “Working it out with YoDAA” or recommended it to a young person yet? Minister Foley will be formally launching the tool in early March!...

3312
Practice

“Addict” is a hate word.

In YoDAA’s experience, youth AOD workers and Youth workers don’t generally use the word “addict” when referring to anyone with an AOD related problem....

3312
Practice

Schools Back! AOD workers speak about their experience delivering drug ed

There’s a long tradition of Youth workers partnering with local schools to deliver drug and alcohol education. But providing universal education to groups of young people with vastly different experiences of drugs and alcohol poses unique challenges to an AOD worker. ...

3333
Practice

Coping with a Parents Drug or Alcohol Use

For many young people in AOD treatment they are not the first member of their family to struggle with problematic AOD use. ...

3347
Practice

Opinion: Ice crisis needs a smart and varied solution

The pitfalls of school drug testing, scaremongering and a 'one size fits all approach' to the complex issue of Meth use in Victoria....

3351
Practice

You won't find this in the organic section

Many tried it and didn’t like it but amongst young people seeking treatment, synthetic cannabis still has a niche following. ...

3351
Policy

Important voices missing in ice debate

Long term consumer participation advocate calls for the inclusion of meth users as members of Victorias Ice Action Taskforce....

3360
Practice

Need some motivation to click this link?

The Youth AOD Toolbox can help! Read their beautifully written new guide to finding and sustaining motivation (suitable for young people and workers alike)....

3361

Where do young people turn to for help?

They may spend hours on the phone but a telephone helpline is one of the last places a young person would turn to if they needed support....

3382
Research

AOD not a high concern for Young people-Mission Australia survey

Drugs are not a ‘top issue of concern’ for young Aussies whilst coping with stress, school, study problems and body image are. ...

3385
Research

Socio-economic status and risky alcohol use

People with the highest socio-economic status (SES) were more likely to consume alcohol in risky quantities in the previous 12 months than people with the lowest SES....

3386
Practice

Supporting young people over Christmas-Can YoDAA help?

The Christmas and holiday season can be an especially difficult time for many young people and families. It’s also a time when many services temporarily close or when workers take a well-earned break. ...

3386
Practice

DXM-Isolated use or a new trend?

It’s impossible for Youth AOD workers to be up to speed with every emerging drug trend. Being across the basics of the drugs young people you support are using best places you to provide accurate info and effective harm reduction advice....

3393
Research

2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey final report

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released its final report from the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey....

3399
MORE FROM YoDAA
FAQ's

Do I have to pay for detox?

Most public withdrawal units are free, although you may still have to pay for ...

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is a digital tool designed to help young people (and their supporters) consider where they are at in relation to their drug and alcohol related needs. It encourages help seeking where necessary and offers next steps for help and support.

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