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
Fear, sadness and alcohol in adolescence: A test of innovative curriculum models to prevent adverse outcomes. Lack of mastery over fear, sadness and alcohol use are risk factors for the common forms of mental ill health. When fully developed, anxiety, depressive and substance use disorders account for three quarters of the disability attributed to mental disorders. While prevention strategies exist, none are universally feasible. Climate schools represents a utility that is acceptable, fits with ....Fear, sadness and alcohol in adolescence: A test of innovative curriculum models to prevent adverse outcomes. Lack of mastery over fear, sadness and alcohol use are risk factors for the common forms of mental ill health. When fully developed, anxiety, depressive and substance use disorders account for three quarters of the disability attributed to mental disorders. While prevention strategies exist, none are universally feasible. Climate schools represents a utility that is acceptable, fits within the school syllabus, is effective, and is scaleable to meet the needs of all schools in Australia. If it reduces the target risk factors by 10-20%, a minimal estimate based on the pilot work, then it will be a most cost effective contribution to promoting and maintaining the good health of the community.
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Addiction, moral identity and moral agency: Integrating theoretical and empirical approaches. By clarifying and evaluating scientific claims about the moral impacts of addiction on the judgment and practices of drug addicted persons and by investigating the perspectives of users and treatment professionals, our project will contribute to the development of ethical and effective public policy, treatment and education programs in the addictions area, thus helping to address the causes and reduce t ....Addiction, moral identity and moral agency: Integrating theoretical and empirical approaches. By clarifying and evaluating scientific claims about the moral impacts of addiction on the judgment and practices of drug addicted persons and by investigating the perspectives of users and treatment professionals, our project will contribute to the development of ethical and effective public policy, treatment and education programs in the addictions area, thus helping to address the causes and reduce the impact of biological, social and environmental factors which diminish life potential in drug addicted persons. The innovative features of this project will enhance Australia's international reputation in bioethics and moral psychology, extend the reach of experimental philosophy, and facilitate future interdisciplinary work.Read moreRead less
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
Models of adolescent drug use and its consequences. Recent concerns surround the impact of drug abuse - particularly binge drinking, inhalant abuse and cannabis use - on the mental health of adolescents. Early drug use is associated with mental health problems although the mechanisms involved are not well characterised. The present proposal aims to use animal models to characterise substance abuse that occurs during the adolescent period and to investigate its effects on brain and behaviour. Inc ....Models of adolescent drug use and its consequences. Recent concerns surround the impact of drug abuse - particularly binge drinking, inhalant abuse and cannabis use - on the mental health of adolescents. Early drug use is associated with mental health problems although the mechanisms involved are not well characterised. The present proposal aims to use animal models to characterise substance abuse that occurs during the adolescent period and to investigate its effects on brain and behaviour. Increasing our knowledge of the causes and consequences of adolescent drug abuse will improve Australia's ability to confront this problem and to develop early interventions and treatments that minimise associated harms.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
Can parents teach their children to drink alcohol responsibly? Or, is one drop a drop too many? Parents typically supply alcohol to their children believing it is the best way to teach responsible drinking. Whether parents should provide alcohol is controversial and the evidence to inform this decision is unclear. This research will provide an in-depth understanding of the consequences of parents providing alcohol to their children and when, where and how this can be done to minimise harm. This ....Can parents teach their children to drink alcohol responsibly? Or, is one drop a drop too many? Parents typically supply alcohol to their children believing it is the best way to teach responsible drinking. Whether parents should provide alcohol is controversial and the evidence to inform this decision is unclear. This research will provide an in-depth understanding of the consequences of parents providing alcohol to their children and when, where and how this can be done to minimise harm. This is a national priority as alcohol abuse is a leading cause of injury and death among young Australians and developing the knowledge for preventive health care is essential. This research will provide parents with the information they need to give their children a healthier start to life.Read moreRead less
Age-dependent effects of cannabinoids on emotion, cognition and vulnerablity to addiction. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia so understanding the effects of this drug is of great importance. There is little of no basic research on cannabis currently occurring in Australia. Yet such research is critical in resolving the ambiguities and difficulties inherent in our understanding of the drug. The importance of increasing our understanding of the long-term effects of the dr ....Age-dependent effects of cannabinoids on emotion, cognition and vulnerablity to addiction. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia so understanding the effects of this drug is of great importance. There is little of no basic research on cannabis currently occurring in Australia. Yet such research is critical in resolving the ambiguities and difficulties inherent in our understanding of the drug. The importance of increasing our understanding of the long-term effects of the drug on young developing brains is particularly evident. The information gained in the current project will serve to inform medical and scientific communities, government policy makers, as well as the broader Australian community. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347945
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$182,000.00
Summary
Extension to Stable Isotope Facility: Elemental Analyser and GC-GC Preparative Systems. To carry out compound specific stable isotope analysis, compounds need to be resolved by GC, and with samples such as petroleum, this is uncommon. We therefore seek to explore GC-GC as a novel additional preparative system in isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Within our new State Centre of Excellence we will be confronted with samples such as soils, sediments, and natural organic matter which require examinati ....Extension to Stable Isotope Facility: Elemental Analyser and GC-GC Preparative Systems. To carry out compound specific stable isotope analysis, compounds need to be resolved by GC, and with samples such as petroleum, this is uncommon. We therefore seek to explore GC-GC as a novel additional preparative system in isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Within our new State Centre of Excellence we will be confronted with samples such as soils, sediments, and natural organic matter which require examination by bulk isotope analysis. If equipped with a customised elemental analyser as an inlet system, both our existing mass analysers will be capable of measuring carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur isotope values of whole samples.Read moreRead less
Developing a model to assess the economic consequences of cannabis policy options. The potential economic benefits of the project reside in the ability of governments to make cannabis policy decisions based on assumptions of reduced economic burden of one model over another through:
1.the direct comparison in economic terms of three different models for the regulation of cannabis;
2.a model for estimating economic costs associated with cannabis which can be applied to other illicit drugs;
3 ....Developing a model to assess the economic consequences of cannabis policy options. The potential economic benefits of the project reside in the ability of governments to make cannabis policy decisions based on assumptions of reduced economic burden of one model over another through:
1.the direct comparison in economic terms of three different models for the regulation of cannabis;
2.a model for estimating economic costs associated with cannabis which can be applied to other illicit drugs;
3.improving the evidence-base for policy decision-making at all jurisdictions in Australia.
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