2012
Substance.Org Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Date: 27th September 2012
Today Substance.Org held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and reflected on the year that was (July 2011 - June 2012). The meeting was opened by Sandra Pedler (CEO) and chaired by Rebecca Nicholls (Chairperson).
It was a very positive meeting and it was great to be able to reflect on the various accomplishments mentioned throughout our Annual Reports.
Click here to download a copy of Substance.Org Annual Reports
The team at Substance.Org would like to thank everyone who came along and a special thanks to all current/past members on our management committee for their support throughout the year.
'New Project ' 
Date: September 2012
We have recently started up a new partnership with CuriousWorks working alongside their team on a new project.
Who are CuriousWorks you ask? Here is a brief description:
"CuriousWorks exists to identify, connect and build cutting-edge arts and media capacity in a new generation of storytellers: storytellers that hail from Australia’s most marginalised places and feel committed to improving their community’s capacity for self-representation."
Click here to visit their website
So what is the new project? 
Western Sydney Alcohol Awareness Video Initiative - WSAAVI
Aim: Through the WSAAVI, professional filmmakers and youth workers will impart needed education/skills to train local youth to make videos investigating/ promoting the harms of Binge Drinking and documenting activities/events that provide positive alternatives. Videos produced are to be distributed widely through schools and Social Media.
The project is currently in the first stage which involves running a series of fun media workshops with young people. The workshop teaches the participants about the various stages and steps in video production which content is oversee by CuriousWorks. Our Health Promotion officers attend the workshop and run various activities which aimed to educate young people about Alcohol and surrounding issues such as safety.
There are currently three workshops which are being run on Monday and Tuesdays. These workshops run for 8 weeks and then the project moves on to the second stage.
Click here to learn more about the project
'New App: Aims to help you to quit smoking'
Date: August 2012
A free Smartphone app -My QuitBuddy - is the latest tool to be launched by the Australian Government’s National Tobacco Campaign to help smokers quit the deadly habit.
The National Tobacco Campaign, managed by the Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA), developed the app to further promote the Commonwealth and state and territory government’s approach to sustained, whole-of-population prevention efforts to reduce smoking prevalence in Australia.
click here to access media release
About the App:
" Let's face it, quitting can be hard. Most smokers try a number of times before they finally quit. The Quit Now: My Quitbuddy provides you with support to get you to being smoke-free and help you stay that way"
The My QuitBuddy app is so far designed to run on Apple iPhones or iPads, but after it's initial launch this week a rapid development program is in place to make the app available to multiple mobile phone platforms. Download the My QuitBuddy free on your iPhone or iPad from the Apple iTunes online store.
'Substance.Org in the Penrith Press'
Date: July 2012
Our CEO Sandra was featured in yesterdays Penrith Press (Tuesday 3rd July). The main purpose of the article was to inform the Penrith community about the 24/7 Mental Health Line which was launch in May 2012. This number is available to everyone living in New South Wales any time and any day. That's right 24 hours a day + 7 days a week.
Mental Health Number: 1800 011 511
| Sandra Pedler, CEO @ Substance.Org, Photo by: Matt Sullivan (Penrith Press) |
Click here to download a full copy of the newspaper article.pdf
Alternatively you can access the article online by visiting the Penrith Press Website
' New Resources ' 
Date: July 2012
Do you what information about Alcohol and Other Drugs?
Are you looking for information that is easy to read and targeted at a certain target group and free?
You have come to the right site!
Our new factsheets provide information about Alcohol and Other Drugs and surrounding issues. They are free to download and are targeted towards parents, youth and the general public.
Click here to visit our factsheets
BUT WAIT there is more...
The team at Substance.Org is happy to create new factsheets covering a certain issue/topic
All you need to do is contact us.
' Substance.Org mentioned in Parliament'
Date: June 2012
"Mr STUART AYRES (Penrith) [5.33 p.m.]: I draw to the attention of the House the tiresome and often thankless work done by an organisation within the Penrith electorate known as substance.org. Known previously as the Western Sydney Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Inc [WESDARC], substance.org provides invaluable support to individuals, families and community organisations in our region who want to break the unhealthy hold addictive substances have on vulnerable people in our society.
Since 1978, the organisation has operated within the community to promote the principles of harm minimisation in creative and responsive ways that reflect an understanding of the diversity of needs of people living in the Penrith, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury local government areas. Through the provision of education resources, skills development, community development, training and advocacy, substance.org strives to improve health, increase alternatives and bring about change."
Download the Hansard.pdf and read more Or click here to visit the Parliament of NSW Website
New 24/7 Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
Date: May 2012
The New Mental Health Line was launched on Wednesday 23rd May 2012. This new number is available to everyone living in New South Wales, that includes all residents in the Penrith Region, any time and any day. That's right 24 hours a day + 7 days a week.
The line will provide a telephone triage assessment and referral service staffed by mental health clinicians. It will also offer local treatment options for general practitioners, police and ambulance officers.
It is important to note that the Mental Health Line does not replace emergency services and that people in life-threatening situations must still call 000 to receive immediate help.
Media Release: 'New Mental Health Line 1800 011 511'.pdf
Published on Monday 28th 2012. A copy of this article is also available to view online on Stuart Ayres: MP Member of Penrith website. Click to view online
Join Our Management Committee Team!
Date: May 2012
This month we said goodbye to two members from our management committee Paula Ashby and Janet Kidd. Members of Management and the team at Substance.Org wish to thank Paula & Janet for their support and contribution to our service and community throughout the years.
With the loss of three members within the last few months, we are currently seeking some new faces to join our team. If you are interested in making a difference in the community and would like to support a local organisation trying to make a difference, then this sounds like a prefect opportunity for you!
Contact us on (02) 4732 1999 or click here to contact us online.
Also, make sure you check out our management committee documents.
New Resources!
Date: May 2012
Our most recent project: "Better Futures Young People, Families and Workers Learning Together" has now come to a end. Overall, the project was a great success.
Click here for the final report
A number of posters and postcards have been developed for distribution to new and existing clients and for placement in client and worker settings including govt and non-government environments.
These resources are also available for free download - click here to check them out!
Many Thanks and Farewell 
Date: April 2012
On Wednesday 28th, March 2012 we said goodbye and good luck to David Maddocks. Since 2002, David has been a valued member of our Management Committee holding the executive positions of secretary and chairperson.
The Management and Team wish to thank David for his unfailing support and valued contribution to our service and the community.
Don’t be a stranger David.
We are famous! 
Date: April 2012
A few weeks ago our CEO, Sandra was contacted by the Western Weekender and asked to make a comment in relation to the article 'An Alcohol Culture'. The article was published in paper on Friday 23rd March 2012. Here's what it said:
|
" It is not unusual for young people to test the boundaries and want to try new things. For some of them alcohol consumption can become problematic," Said Sandra Pedler, CEO of Substance.Org. There are well - documented health and social effects related to excessive drinking, according to Ms Pedler. " In young males and females [the brain] on average is not fully developed until 25, and so is more vulnerable to long-term damage,' she said. "[Also] there is clear evidence that drinking to excess can contribute to increased risk taking, violence and antisocial behaviour and ill-considered sexual activity.' |
Click here to download the full article.pdf
Western Sydney Drug & Alcohol Resource Centre Inc.
Reducing harm through education and community development
