Main Menu
Professional Toolkit

General resources
Information resources (databases, reports, statistics).
.................................................
Research in brief 
Easy to read summaries of NDARC's latest research.  
.................................................
Special interest
Information resources for special areas eg management, nursing, Indigenous health, CALD communities, and prison workers.

Rate this page
This form does not yet contain any fields.

    GET ADOBE READER

    General resources

    This page provides information for AOD workers seeking resources on general alcohol and drug topics. For specific areas such as management, nursing, Indigenous health please go to the Special interests section. Assistance with study and help with grey literature is located on the Study skills page.

    Databases

    When searching databases keep in mind these key points:

    • Search more than one database.
    • There won’t necessarily be a specific answer to your question
    • Write out what you want to know first.  This will help you to think of a clear concise query.  Then underline a few key terms
    • Search on a combination of a few terms.  Remember a term might be expressed in a number of different ways (eg marijuana, cannabis)

    • Use limits for example initially look at articles in the past 5 years.

    Drug Database

    The Drug Database is the largest of its kind in the world.  It contains over 90,000 records of journal articles, books, reports, DVDs and other publications which cover all aspects of alcohol and drugs.

    Advantages

    • The whole database is focussed around one subject area.
    • Once you have completed a search you can request the articles in full text directly from the National Drugs Sector Information Service.
    • Whilst it is international there is a strong Australian content.

    Tips to search

    • Conduct an advanced search for best results
    • Try searching by subject and use the subject finder (click on the ? icon)

    PubMed

    PubMed is the largest medical database in the world with over 21 million citations.  It is produced by the National Library of Medicine, USA.
    Advantages

    • Comprehensive coverage
    • Some full text links are available

    Tips to search
    Use AOD PubMed search terms  or Ask a librarian for help. PubMed have produced a number of video tutorials about searching their database.

    The Cochrane Library

    The Cochrane Library enables those involved with healthcare decisions to keep up-to-date with all the latest evidence – a challenge that becomes harder each year as the volume of evidence increases.The Cochrane Library consists of seven databases and is used by a broad range of people interested in Evidence-Based Health Care, including consumers, clinicians, policy-makers, researchers, educators, students and others.

    For information on how to use the Cochrane Library click here

     

    Reports and statistics

    Did you see that report?
    Did you see that report? is a monthly listing of recently released Australian reports, research and other items of interest to the AOD sector.   Full text links are provided where available..

    Australian AOD related statistics
    The Australian AOD Related Statistics page links to both national and state and territory statistical reports. Includes major reports such as the National Drug Strategy Household Survey and smaller reports such as National Minimum Data Sets for each state.

    Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
    The ABS offers a wide range on health statistics and AOD related statistics.

    The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
    The AIHW is one of Australia’s premier sources of statistics and related information on drug and alcohol use, and on alcohol and drug treatment services.

    The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC)
    The AIC is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice. The AIC researches issues such as drug use, its links with criminal activity and alcohol related violence to provide valuable information for policy-makers and the public on drugs in Australia. Helpful advice is also available via links on the AIC’s website to practical prevention guides for local communities and licensed venues, as well as on partying and drink spiking.

    Research centres

    National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA)
    NCETA is an internationally recognised research centre that works as a catalyst for change in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) field. The promotion of workforce development principles, research and evaluation of effective practice is NCETA's core business. NCETA is located in Adelaide at Flinders University.

    National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
    NDARC is a premier research institution in Australia and is recognised internationally as a Research Centre of Excellence. The Centre is multidisciplinary and collaborates with medicine, psychology, social science and other schools of the University of NSW, as well as with a range of other institutions and individuals in Australia and overseas.

    The overall mission of NDARC is to conduct high quality research and related activities that increase the effectiveness of Australian and international treatment and other intervention responses to alcohol and other drug related harm. NDARC  is located in Sydney at the University of New South Wales.

    National Drug Research Institute (NDRI)
    NDRI is a leading national and international authority in the area of drug and alcohol prevention research, and is one of the largest centres of alcohol and other drug research expertise in Australia.

    NDRI's mission is to conduct and disseminate policy and practice relevant research that contributes to the primary prevention of harmful drug use and the reduction of drug-related harm. NDRI is located in Perth at Curtin University.

    Drug specific websites

    Alcohol
    Developed by the Department of Health and Ageing, www.alcohol.gov.au provides information on alcohol related health issues and Australian government policy.

    National Cannabis Prevention Information Centre (NCPIC)
    The NCPIC website provides information to the community, users, their families and the various workforce involved in the delivery of cannabis related interventions. It features training, publications, research and access to help lines.

    National Inhalants Information Service (NIIS)
    The NIIS website provides information about inhalant misuse in Australia including statistics, user stories, state and territory specific resources and projects, as well as links to other sites and major reports.

    Methamphetamine
    Turning Point's meth.org.au website aims to help people self-manage some of the most common methamphetamine relate issues. The site provides research-based, practical advice on self management, as well as options for specialist treatment.

    Ask a Librarian

    The National Drugs Sector Information service offers a ask a librarian service to both alcohol and other drug workers and students. If you are having trouble finding something, you require a literature search or more information on a particular topic the Ask a librarian service can help.

     Page last updated: 9th December 2011