ATDC 2012 Challenging Conversations: Creating an inclusive system

The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council is pleased to announce the release of the preliminary program for ATDC 2012 Challenging Conversations: Creating an inclusive system.

We are also very excited to announce our keynote speakers for the conference,

The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and the Social Inclusion Commissioner for Tasmania, Professor David Adams.

To view the preliminary program, submit an abstract or to register for the conference online, visit the conference website.

Christine Murphy

Conference Manager

Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Council

Email: conference@atdc.org.au

Conference enquiries: (03) 6224 7780

Mobile: 0423 351 902

Bali tattoo and HIV transmission scare

Tourists who have gotten themselves tattooed or pierced whilst in Bali are being warned to seek medical advice after a Western Australian man reportedly contracted HIV during a recent holiday trip.

Australian health officials are urging travelers to be careful about getting tattoos or piercings in developing countries as the regulations and codes of practice don't necessarily comply with Australia's. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that to avoid infections from HIV and viral hepatitis, individuals should not share needles for tattoos, body piercings, or other injections.

The WA Health notified Commonwealth authorities last week after the WA resident undertook a blood test when he returned from Indonesia. The victim's age and sex and details of where the tattoo was obtained in Bali have not been released.

To read this full article CLICK HERE

Guidelines Stress Caution When Combining Anti-Epileptic, HIV Drugs

New guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology will help physicians better choose seizure drugs for people on HIV/AIDS medication, avoiding deadly drug interactions and preventing critical anti-HIV drugs from becoming less effective, possibly leading to a more virulent strain of the disease.

Michigan State University's Gretchen Birbeck -- who spends several months each year in the sub-Sahara African nation of Zambia researching epilepsy, HIV /AIDS and cerebral malaria -- is the lead author of the medical guideline, which was co-developed with the World Health Organization through the International League Against Epilepsy.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 33 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2009. Seizure disorders are common among people with HIV,

To read this full article CLICK HERE

HIV Positive Man Banned From Touching Doorknobs At Work

While discrimination against people with HIV is certainly nothing new, the level of harassment suffered by James White of Detroit, Michigan brings back memories of the darkest days of the initial outbreak.

Abetted by President Reagan’s now infamous silence and complete inaction, ill-informed rumors about HIV spread as quickly as the disease itself. Millions of lost lives and decades later, we’re still dealing with the fallout from that total failure in leadership.

James White was diagnosed with HIV, which is hard enough to deal with but the response of his co-workers must have been devastating. Upon learning of his condition, White was banned from touching doorknobs at his workplace, Great Expressions Dental Centers.

In addition, his co-workers followed him around with a bottle of Lysol as if he were oozing germs. Finally, his schedule was constantly rearranged, sometimes without his knowledge and White was repeatedly disciplined for his “unexcused abscences.”

To read this full article CLICK HERE

Hepatitis C Psychological Support Study Information

The School of Psychology (University of Adelaide) and the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Royal Adelaide Hospital) have commenced a research study exploring the desire for psychological support in people living with chronic hepatitis C.

The psychological burden of chronic hepatitis C is considerable and particularly evident in high rates of depression and anxiety in those suffering from this disease. This psychiatric morbidity diminishes quality of life, aggravates perceived physical symptomatology and reduces rates of antiviral treatment commencement, adherence and clearance.

The survey takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete and includes sections on demographic information, desire for psychological support, history of psychological support, disease and treatment characteristics, psychological symptomatology and access to social support.

To access this survey CLICK HERE