The University of Queensland will officially launch QADREC, the Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre on Tuesday, May 12.
The new centre is a cooperative venture between the University and Queensland Health, and is intended to undertake new strategies to address alcohol and drug problems.
QADREC was established in recognition of the growing unresolved alcohol and drug problems in our community.
After a 1996 review it was revealed that there were exceptionally low levels of professional training in alcohol and drug-related disciplines.
QADREC therefore places special emphasis on training frontline workers to deal effectively with all types of alcohol and drug problems, especially those involving young people and illicit drugs.
The centre is a first for Queensland. It works very closely with key sectors in the community and is designed to provide training for health workers, teachers, police, counsellors, doctors and nurses in prevention, early intervention and treatment for alcohol and drug problems.
Dr Ann Roche, director of the centre, said that without a properly trained workforce it would not be possible to adequately deal with the growing drug problem 'with which we are confronted on a daily basis'.
QADREC began offering the first addiction studies university courses in Queensland. These are now available at graduate certificate, postgraduate diploma and masters levels throughout the State.
In addition, QADREC staff provide teaching for the graduate medical course and other courses and subjects, such as indigenous primary care, on request. The centre also offers other training opportunities, such as half-day courses, in the areas of alcohol and drugs.
It publishes an annual calendar, which this year lists more than 20 training events, offers tailored training programs for groups and organisations across Queensland, and has successfully tendered for a number of other specialist training areas.
Research is another key activity. Areas studied to date include ecstasy users, drugs in schools, university students' drinking habits, an evaluation of the Drink Smart alcohol intervention strategy, enforcement of liquor licensing laws and attitudes towards binge drinking.
Dr Robert Stable, Director-General of Queensland Health, will officially launch the
centre during a ceremony at QADREC's new offices on Level 1 of the Public Health Building in Herston.
QADREC was set up in late 1996 within the University of Queensland's Social and Preventive Medicine Department as a co-operative venture with Queensland Health and as a focal point for state-wide alcohol and drug education and training.
Dr Roche said the official launch marked both the achievement of the initial establishment phase and last month's long-awaited move into permanent accommodation.
Tuesday's launch will begin at 9am with a welcome from University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay followed by an address from Dr John Scott, State Manager, Public Health Services.
Immediately before the official launch, Dr Roche will present an overview of QADREC and the function will end with a vote of thanks from Professor Ken Donald, head of Social and Preventive Medicine and chair of QADREC's management board.
For further information, contact Dr Ann Roche (telephone 3365 5180).
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