Reducing alcohol misuse: The efficacy of a comprehensive accreditation intervention in community sports clubs. The prevention of alcohol misuse is increasingly recognised as a priority by State and Commonwealth governments, and the community alike. A similar increasing recognition of the role of sport in the occurrence of such misuse has resulted in a call for action in this community setting. Very limited data are available regarding effective intervention strategies in sports clubs. The propos ....Reducing alcohol misuse: The efficacy of a comprehensive accreditation intervention in community sports clubs. The prevention of alcohol misuse is increasingly recognised as a priority by State and Commonwealth governments, and the community alike. A similar increasing recognition of the role of sport in the occurrence of such misuse has resulted in a call for action in this community setting. Very limited data are available regarding effective intervention strategies in sports clubs. The proposed intervention directly addresses this knowledge deficit. In addressing the culture of excessive alcohol consumption in sports clubs, the intervention, should it be effective, has the potential to contribute to a reduction in both short and long term alcohol harms in Australia.Read moreRead less
An investigation of the nature and effects of point-of-sale promotions for alcohol beverages. There is increasing evidence that alcohol consumption is influenced by alcohol advertising, pricing, and marketing activities. However, the current lack of clear evidence on the effect of different promotions (such as reduced-price drinks, competitions etc) means that the current guidelines are unclear and unenforceable. This project will provide clear guidance for policy makers on the effects of the di ....An investigation of the nature and effects of point-of-sale promotions for alcohol beverages. There is increasing evidence that alcohol consumption is influenced by alcohol advertising, pricing, and marketing activities. However, the current lack of clear evidence on the effect of different promotions (such as reduced-price drinks, competitions etc) means that the current guidelines are unclear and unenforceable. This project will provide clear guidance for policy makers on the effects of the different forms of alcohol promotions, allowing for better monitoring and regulation of alcohol marketing. The key benefit of this project lies in the potential to develop a clear strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm by addressing inappropriate marketing and promotion of alcohol. Read moreRead less
Smoking cessation program for smokers admitted to public hospitals. This project will implement and evaluate a multidisciplinary healthcare intervention initiated by hospital pharmacists and followed up by primary health professionals to assist smokers admitted to three Victorian tertiary public hospitals to give up smoking. This program could potentially reduce smoking-related death, illness and healthcare costs.
Alcohol’s harm to others: patterns, costs, disparities and precipitants. This project aims to generate understanding of the magnitude, character, economic burden, disparities and precipitants of occurrence of alcohol’s harm to others across Australia, using a national survey, crime, community services and health data and qualitative interviews. The project outcome will be a robust current evidence base for our partners, government and Australian society to underpin advocacy, policy and planning, ....Alcohol’s harm to others: patterns, costs, disparities and precipitants. This project aims to generate understanding of the magnitude, character, economic burden, disparities and precipitants of occurrence of alcohol’s harm to others across Australia, using a national survey, crime, community services and health data and qualitative interviews. The project outcome will be a robust current evidence base for our partners, government and Australian society to underpin advocacy, policy and planning, aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm and suffering.Read moreRead less
Youth off the streets (YOTS): Rehabilitating at-risk youth and young offenders through responsive service learning programs. Young people involved in substance abuse and delinquency are a major economic and social cost to Australia. Although numerous crime prevention strategies have been developed for working with at-risk, homeless, substance abusing and delinquent young people, few have been adequately evaluated and outcomes are poor. Almost none reflect contemporary knowledge in theories of a ....Youth off the streets (YOTS): Rehabilitating at-risk youth and young offenders through responsive service learning programs. Young people involved in substance abuse and delinquency are a major economic and social cost to Australia. Although numerous crime prevention strategies have been developed for working with at-risk, homeless, substance abusing and delinquent young people, few have been adequately evaluated and outcomes are poor. Almost none reflect contemporary knowledge in theories of adolescent development. This research will develop an innovative intervention based on Service Learning relevant to other diversion programs within Juvenile Justice and an industry model for long-term sustainable program evaluation. We will also develop an intervention model relevant to other organisations with similar aims and budgetary constraints.Read moreRead less
Detection of peptide hormone performance enhancing agents in sport using mass spectrometry. Doping control in sport is to protect the health, legal and ethical rights of athletes. The use of banned drugs in competitive sports is becoming increasingly sophisticated and the need to counter this provides a stimulus for ground breaking analytical research. This project will exploit mass spectrometry for investigation of methods to distinguish administered peptide hormones from endogenous material a ....Detection of peptide hormone performance enhancing agents in sport using mass spectrometry. Doping control in sport is to protect the health, legal and ethical rights of athletes. The use of banned drugs in competitive sports is becoming increasingly sophisticated and the need to counter this provides a stimulus for ground breaking analytical research. This project will exploit mass spectrometry for investigation of methods to distinguish administered peptide hormones from endogenous material and to develop assays for measurement of the peptide hormones, erythropoietin, growth hormone and chorionic gonadotrophin in blood or urine. The outcomes will flow to other areas where trace substance detection is important, such as environmental chemistry, medicine and quality control.Read moreRead less
An assessment of late night alcohol restrictions in Queensland. An assessment of late night alcohol restrictions in Queensland. This project aims to assess the effect of 2.00am cease of alcohol service for licensed venues across Queensland, identify modifiable elements and develop policy advice. Alcohol-related harm is a major social order issue which requires evidence-based policy. Using the most sophisticated models to date—including outlet density, enforcement, demographic variables and other ....An assessment of late night alcohol restrictions in Queensland. An assessment of late night alcohol restrictions in Queensland. This project aims to assess the effect of 2.00am cease of alcohol service for licensed venues across Queensland, identify modifiable elements and develop policy advice. Alcohol-related harm is a major social order issue which requires evidence-based policy. Using the most sophisticated models to date—including outlet density, enforcement, demographic variables and other variables—this project will build unique datasets, including archival data, foot-traffic counting, key stakeholder and patron interviews, to evaluate the effect of alcohol restrictions and identify policy lessons for other jurisdictions in Australia and internationally.Read moreRead less
Public and ethical responses to mandated alcohol warning labels about increased long-term risk of cancer. This project will determine how the Australian public will respond to the proposed introduction of alcohol product warning labels. It will establish how such at point of sale messages can acceptably and effectively inform Australians about the long-term, but modifiable, cancer risk associated with alcohol use and reduce the national cancer burden.
Alcohol use and harm minimisation among Australian university students. Alcohol-related harms cost Australians over $15.3 billion per year, and in 2008 were described by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as having reached 'epidemic proportions'. Young people are at greatest risk of alcohol-related damage and university students are among the heaviest drinkers, with up to 70% engaging in binge drinking. By examining the social dynamics of university students' drinking practices and their understanding of ....Alcohol use and harm minimisation among Australian university students. Alcohol-related harms cost Australians over $15.3 billion per year, and in 2008 were described by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as having reached 'epidemic proportions'. Young people are at greatest risk of alcohol-related damage and university students are among the heaviest drinkers, with up to 70% engaging in binge drinking. By examining the social dynamics of university students' drinking practices and their understanding of harm minimisation, together with the policies and measures offered by colleges and State health authorities, the proposed project will yield a new evidence base and innovative theoretical approach for developing fresh strategic harm minimisation interventions.Read moreRead less
What difference does treatment make? Psychometric properties of a measure of young people's progress in residential rehabilitation. This research is expected to: enhance evidence-based treatment outcome measures in residential rehabilitation services in WA, NSW and the ACT; provide high-quality research training for alcohol and other drug service staff; and contribute to long-term collaborative relationships between five partner organisations, five universities, and addiction specialists which w ....What difference does treatment make? Psychometric properties of a measure of young people's progress in residential rehabilitation. This research is expected to: enhance evidence-based treatment outcome measures in residential rehabilitation services in WA, NSW and the ACT; provide high-quality research training for alcohol and other drug service staff; and contribute to long-term collaborative relationships between five partner organisations, five universities, and addiction specialists which will assist ongoing service quality improvement. Enhancing the effectiveness of alcohol and other drug treatments for young people will also address the National Health Priority of injury prevention as young people are one of three groups at higher risk of harm.Read moreRead less