 |
 |
This year’s ATCA conference will take place in beautiful Auckland from 12-14 October. Abstracts and registrations are invited from the wider sector, and with a focus this year on drug courts and other diversionary programs, this is a must for those working in health, justice and welfare areas. Higher Ground and Odyssey House in Auckland have been working effectively with the drug court in Auckland – and are recording fantastic treatment outcomes with methamphetamine users. Don’t miss this chance to take part in this exciting conference. Want to be part of the team in 2015? ATCA now invites applications for presentations of papers and projects that meet this years conference theme. Application deadlines close June 30. Applications will be assessed on the following criteria: The relevance of the abstract to the themes. The validity of the evidence on which the presentation is based. The implications for practitioners implementing the findings. The relevance of innovative programmes to other practitioners in the field. Want to find out more? click here! Conference Registrations Are Open Each year the Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA) hosts an international conference bringing together professionals working in therapeutic communities, researchers and clinicians in the Alcohol and Drug (AOD) field and affiliated areas. Therapeutic Communities (TCs) are an integral element of a comprehensive response to drug and alcohol issues in our community, nationally and internationally. On behalf of ATCA, Odyssey House Auckland, Care NZ and Higher Ground have the privilege of hosting this international conference to be held at the Rendezvous Hotel in Auckland. Reminder Early Bird Registration - Register by 1 September to save $$$ Download the conference booking form now – book here! Learn more about this year’s site Visits. Monday 12 October This year we are offering the opportunity for delegates to visit a Treatment Drug Unit inside Spring Hill Prison or Higher Ground and Odyssey Adult, Young Adult and the Family Centre. You will depart from The Rendezvous Hotel in the morning to journey to the TC, where you will tour the TCs and hear about the program from staff and residents. Afternoon teas and lunch will be provided. This is a 40 bed unit within Spring Spring Hill DTU Corrections Facility, about 70km south of Auckland. Operating as a Therapeutic Community modified to the correctional setting, Spring Hill is one of eight DTUs throughout the country operated by CareNZ. It opened its doors in 2008, and since then more than 260 prisoners have successfully graduated from the 6 month programme. The CareNZ team works closely with custodial staff to ensure an effective programme is delivered within an active and supportive TC environment. Note: There is a limit to the number of delegates visiting Spring Hill Prison – register your interest now! Higher Ground – Founded in 1984, and providing an 18 week Therapeutic Community programme. A strong Maori Whanau programme is provided in which most residents Maori and non‐Maori participate in and find helpful. There is an extensive family, education and therapy programme. It has a bed capacity for 52 adult residents. Lunch provided before you are driven to Odyssey in Avondale for the afternoon session. Odyssey Auckland ‐ Established since 1980 and comprising a number of programmes for a variety of age groups. The programme you will be visiting is the original programme in Avondale and caters for 38 males, 14 females and a purpose built Family Centre on the same site for parents 18 years plus with children 0‐12 years. Odyssey offers an aftercare/continuing care service and clients who complete the programme stay for up to 6 months in one of the re‐entry or transitional houses. You will be welcomed by the Odyssey Kapa Haka group and then meet staff and residents and have a tour of the 2 facilities. You will be able to participate in a drumming session which the residents attend on a weekly basis. Rowdy Yates Senior Research Fellow Scottish Addiction Studies University of Stirling http://www.dass.stir.ac.uk/sections/showsection.php?id=4 http://www.drugslibrary.stir.ac.uk<http://www.drugslibrary.stir.ac.uk/> -- The University is ranked in the QS World Rankings of the top 5% of universities in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2014) The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.