Breaking Point - Ice & Methamphetamine - Hobart 2017

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1 QRC: 2824 Price One Day : $451 inc. GST Two Days: $693 inc. GST Date Jan 2017 Venue Best Western Hobart 156 Bathurst Street, Hobart, TA, 7000 CPD Hours 12 Hours 0 Mins Breaking Point - Ice & Methamphetamine - Hobart 2017 A 2-Day Conference for Nurses & Other Health Professionals Need for Program Ice is a growing concern for Australian nurses and other healthcare professionals. It is destructive for health, families and communities, and creates a raft of medical, psychological and social problems. Nurses and other health professionals are increasingly exposed to people who are affected by this drug, but often without really understanding the health issues involved. It is important that nurses have access to correct evidence-based information about these substances and the management of those affected by them Purpose of Program The purpose of this conference is to inform nurses and other professionals about the illicit drugs ice and methamphetamine, including their effects on people, the community and how recovery can be achieved. Learning Outcomes At the conclusion of this program it is expected that the participants will be able to: Use evidence-based knowledge about ice/methamphetamine so as to create a safe environment for all concerned Understand the ramifications of ice/methamphetamine use in the community and how to implement methods of harm reduction in your health setting Know the principles of rehabilitation and recovery and apply evidence-based approaches to assist sustained abstinence Refer people using ice/methamphetamine appropriately and align your healthcare with Statewide strategies

2 Program Schedule Day One 8:30AM Registration for Day One 9:00 Stuart Fenton My Experience - A Personal Story of Addiction & Recovery The experience of ice and methamphetamine use is life-changing and commonly results in addiction. The journey off the substance is complex but possible. This introductory session tells the story of a personal journey from recreational drug taking to full blown addiction and eventual rehabilitation. In-so-doing, it reveals what is involved in withdrawal from ice use and the type of support a person is likely to need along this journey. Getting hooked on a drug - an incremental decline Accepting the fact that you are an addict Getting off meth - a different process to heroin withdrawal How long did it take for sustained withdrawal and what happened in this process? What support was required? What needs worked after the withdrawal process to sustain abstinence? 10:00 Ice and Methamphetamines - What Type of Social Problem is This? Ice and methamphetamine have become significant drugs of concern for nurses and other health professionals in recent years. These concerns are not just about health but also extend to personal protection and other significant social impacts. This session looks at the background issues that have enabled these drugs to take hold and considers evidence about their use. Finally, it discusses the importance of removing fear from the conversation if people are to be genuinely assisted with their addiction. Includes: Why is meth such an issue of concern? How extensive is its use in the community? Why are variations in purity so significant? What is the impact of the media on community perceptions and are they helpful? 11:00 Morning Tea 11:30 Geoff Ahern Shard, Meth, Crystal - Effects of Ice on the Brain and Body There has never been a street drug quite like ice and methamphetamine. The physiological, social, emotional and community effects of this substance have been widely reported in the media. This session looks at the effect that ice and other stimulants have on the human body. Includes:

3 What are meth and ice and how do they differ from other stimulants? How are they taken into the body and how does the body react? What are the physiological effects on the body? Cardiovascular and respiratory effects Renal, metabolic and fluid balance effects Changes to the skin and appearance Impact on normal homeostasis How does ice react to other substances - prescribed and non-prescribed? 12:30 Geoff Ahern Insights into the Psychological Effects of Ice and Methamphetamines Ice/methamphetamine are psychoactive drugs and as such have an impact on brain function. Although this differs between individuals they can cause effects such as depression and even profound psychosis. This will looks at the types of mental health dysfunctions that result from this drug s use. Includes: What are the symptoms of psychosis? Who are most at risk for developing psychosis? What interventions are required during a psychotic episode? Does the psychosis automatically resolve when the drugs are withdrawn? Can the use of ice/meth trigger schizophrenia? When are people most at risk for developing feelings of depression? 1:30PM Lunch Break 2:15 Lyn Billington Safe Use of Sedatives Illicit drug use and abuse is bringing more and more people into Emergency Departments all over Australia. The reason for the presentation is often varied and may be traumatic for the person and staff members such as nurses who are often the first person to assess the person. Acute severe behavioural disturbance as a result of crystal methamphetamine use calls for an organised management approach, with sedation forming a large aspect of this. As such, this session aims to review the following: Why are amphetamine-type substances are a cause of such high agitation? Assessing sedative requirements in patients with acute severe behavioural disturbance relating to methamphetamine use Safety with sedatives - prescribing, administering and de-prescribing as per Guidelines Potential side effects of sedatives and how these may be averted 3:15 Afternoon Tea 3:30 Karen Thompson

4 Safety When Dealing With People On Ice - Defusing and De-escalating Techniques Any person affected by illicit drugs may behave irrationally and could be a danger to themselves and others. All health professionals must be alert to the risks associated with these potential harms. This final session of day one discusses and demonstrates practical de-escalation techniques to defuse violent behaviour. Includes: What are the physical cues that suggest someone may be affected by crystal methamphetamine (ICE)? How do you protect: The person The public Yourself? How to de-escalate and defuse the situation Body language and personal safety to stay safe and reduce need for chemical and physical restraints 4:30 Close of Day One of Program Day Two 9:00AM Commencement of Day Two 9:00 Supporting Families - The Impact of Using on the Community The impact of ice and methamphetamine use is now well known to extend beyond the person using this drug. Families and communities across Australia are touched by the devastating effects of ice and methamphetamine. Nurses and other health professionals must be able to consider the family and community impacts of this drug when working with people affected by ice. As such, this session looks at: What is known about the psychosocial impact of ice and methamphetamine on families and the community? What are practical ways in which you can help families break down communication barriers and discuss drug use openly? How can you assist families to access useful resources to help deal with the consequences that may arise as a result of the drug use? 10:00 I m not an Addict - Moving from Denial to Action The portrayal of ice/methamphetamine use in society can create a sense of denial about the possibility that recovery is possible. The psychology involved in making the decision to stop using drugs can be a very tumultuous and difficult process. However, understanding the trajectory of use of a particular client means that practical interventions offered are likely to resonate with the client

5 and may initiate change. This session will consider: Why is it vital to understand one s trajectory of use? How may clients with different ages, demographics and who are at different stages of use respond to interventions? Practical advice on how to tailor interventions, appropriate referrals and linking of services to the client s stage to maximise engagement How can we as health professionals manage our own frustration if our desire for action is not achieved? 11:00 Morning Tea 11:30 Karyn Smith Methamphetamines - A Practical Approach to Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Care A common concern shared by midwives, nurses and other health care professionals working in the drug and alcohol field relates to methamphetamine use during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. This session will use a case study to practically explain: What is known about the impact of ice and methamphetamine use during the perinatal period? How to provide effective and compassionate care when methamphetamine use is occurring to a mother and baby during the pregnancy, birth and postnatal period 12:30PM Lunch Break 1:15 Dr David Jackson Withdrawal - Principles and Process Successful long term withdrawal and recovery from methamphetamine use is possible. However, this is not usually a straightforward process, it takes time and may involve commitment and flexibility by the client and clinician. This session looks at the complex nature of withdrawal and recovery includes: What differences are there for those who use stimulants occasionally or recreationally compared to those who use stimulants frequently or are dependent? How is it best to manage concurrent withdrawal and recovery from methamphetamines and other substances? How do prescribed medications impact on use, reduced use, withdrawal and recovery? How do we manage anxiety, depression and other psychological changes in withdrawal and recovery How do we facilitate ongoing harm minimisation and relapse prevention? 2:15 Dr Madelyn Derrick and Dr Jackie Hallam Harm Reduction - Applying Policy to Practice

6 Harm reduction is a widely accepted and long standing principle that acknowledges that preventing all people from taking drugs is not achievable. Instead, there is the potential to improve health outcomes for people taking drugs by assisting them to maintain health and prevent complications of using. This final session will demonstrate how harm reduction policy can be applied to practice for those affected by ice and methamphetamine. Includes: Overview of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council Tasmania Inc. (ATDC) What is harm reduction? The case for harm reduction in drug policy Examples of harm reduction in practice Best-practice responding to someone with problematic methamphetamine use Introducing a best-practice response e-tool (soon to be released) 3:15 Afternoon Tea 3:30 First Thyself - Surviving Emotionally Taxing Work Environments The intrinsic nature of drug and alcohol and mental health nursing will mean that we are likely to be are exposed to a range of challenges. Feeling unsafe, witnessing violence, tragedy and dealing with trauma are some examples. This emotionally taxing environment can result in tension with colleagues, family and friends. This final session will create an opportunity to discuss the following: What are the professional implications of working in challenging areas of nursing and healthcare? How can we maintain unconditional positive regard? Why self-care matters and how to practice what we preach to prevent burnout 4:30 Close of Day Two of Program Presenters has a master of mental health nursing and graduate qualifications in child and adolescent mental health, group work, alcohol and other drugs, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). He has substantial teaching experience in the area of managing workplace aggression and adverse incidents, mental health nursing, root cause analysis, and risk management. Craig is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse, a fellow of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is the recipient of two national awards for his work in primary health care and mental health and is a pioneer of males working in family and partner violence. Craig has experience working in research and occupational health and safety and is sought after as a risk governance and quality systems architect. He currently works as a consultant in systems design, quality and risk management, education, training, suicide intervention, and mental health first aid. He is a life coach, specialising in nursing success, and is the executive officer of a charity that supports injured workers on the journey to recovery.

7 Stuart Fenton Stuart Fenton is a clinical psychotherapist and counsellor who has over ten years of experience working in the addiction treatment field. Originally, Stu was a high school teacher before entering the addiction/recovery area. Stu completed a Graduate Diploma in Counselling, specialising in addiction, self-esteem and group work. He then completed a four-year master's qualification in gestalt therapy and is currently studying to become a certified sex addiction therapist. Stu has worked in a wide range of settings, from residential long-term and short-term rehabilitation, public and private sector rehabilitation, community health centres in both addiction and family violence, outreach and GLBTI services. His varied roles have mostly been in the areas of chemical and process addictions, GLBTI issues, codependence issues, family interventions and sex and love addiction. He s concurrently built a private psychotherapy practice in both Sydney and Melbourne. He has held positions as a group facilitator, crisis counsellor, and senior recovery therapist at facilitates, including The WHO s Therapeutic Community for men (Gunyah), South Pacific Private Hospital in Sydney, Malvern Private Hospital in Melbourne, and Riverside Clinic in Kyneton, Victoria. Recently, Stu accepted a position at The Cabin, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Acclaimed for being the first psychotherapist in Australia who has rehabilitated from the drug "crystal meth" and gone on to become an accomplished worker and professional in the field, Stu has appeared on several television shows, including documentaries and in numerous newspaper articles. In 2015, Stu was invited to present at Ausmed Education's inaugural Breaking Point Ice & Methamphetamine Conference held in Creswick, a regional town in Victoria. His session From Addiction to a New Life chronicled his journey from a crystal methamphetamine addict to psychotherapist. The reception to his presentation was so positive that Stu has since been invited to be the keynote speaker at the same conference in many locations around Australia. Having impacted 650+ Australian health professionals to date, Stu has played a key role in promoting recovery, empathetic care, and reducing stigma associated with an ice addition. Geoffrey Ahern Geoffrey Ahern is a senior mental health clinician who works with the Victorian Police on a specialised mental health emergency response team called PACER (Police And Clinician Emergency Response). PACER clinicians are on the road with the police responding immediately to triple zero emergency calls that involve mental health. Geoff trained initially as a Registered Nurse in the early 90s. Over the years, he has gained extensive experience in emergency and trauma, rural nursing, alcohol and other drug counselling, and psychiatric nursing across both the public and private sectors. He also holds a Masters of Health Science (Mental Health and AOD) and is a PhD candidate with Deakin University. When Geoff isn t working with the police you can find him conducting freelance education for various public and private organisations, raising community awareness and recognition of people developing mental health problems, and averting crisis situations similar to those he sees on the road with police. As an educator, he has been involved in one-on-one mentoring and staff in-services, right through to full-time lecturing at a tertiary level. Geoff is a passionate and creative teacher, bringing to his audience stories and experiences that give life and meaning to the subject areas that he teaches. Lyn Billington Lyn Billington's extensive career as a pharmacist has included many years working with Gippsland Psychiatric Services and continued with Latrobe Regional Hospital following amalgamation. Currently, Lyn is a consultant pharmacist providing Home Medication Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews. She also tutors intern pharmacists at Monash University Parkville, moderates in the Monash Mental Health postgraduate course and lectures on psychopharmacology to fourth year students at the Gippsland Medical School. Lyn has co-authored presentations for conferences presentations Australia. Karyn Smith Karyn Smith is an outreach clinical midwife consultant at the Sunshine Hospital providing collaborative midwifery care to vulnerable families in Melbourne. This role also incorporates caring for women within the hospital environment, community, mental health services, and justice systems throughout their pregnancy, birth, and early parenting experiences. A large part of this role is also to support other health care providers when caring for these complex families. Karyn has 30 years of midwifery experience with nurse practitioner endorsement in drug & alcohol and midwifery categories.

8 Madelyn Derrick Dr Madelyn Derrick is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the ATOD sector for the last eight years. Her work has included frontline, supervisory and project roles. She currently works for the ATDC on a project aimed at facilitating collaboration between the ATOD sector and community settings. Madelyn conducted research examining the cognitive effects of a range of drugs of abuse during her honours and doctoral level studies at the University of Tasmania. Jackie Hallam Dr Jackie Hallam has worked in a variety of roles in the ATOD sector over the last sixteen years, including frontline worker, researcher, and workforce development and sector capacity roles. She is currently the Policy and Research Officer at the ATDC. Jackie completed a Doctorate at the University of Tasmania that examined harm reduction policy in relation to illicit drugs in Australia from 1980 to Karen Thompson Karen Thompson currently works two 0.5FTE positions - After Hours Manager of a small private hospital and RN in a medium sized but very busy ED. She comes from a mixed background, holding a Masters in Clinical Nursing (Emergency Nursing) and post graduate qualifications in remote area and critical care nursing. Karen is also a certified instructor in de-escalation strategies and regularly runs workshops on management of aggressive behaviour. Her commitment this issue and to nursing education led to a published article and several conference presentations in Karen also contributes to the Ausmed blog and chaired this year s Shepparton Nursing Conference. David Jackson Dr David Jackson is a General Practitioner, specialising in Alcohol and Drug Addiction.

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