Twitter in the Classroom

Kesmit-ing: The Twitter Experiment - Bringing Twitter to the Classroom at UT Dallas- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

video: Mike Ashton on the Jolt of the unexpected research finding - in: POLICY, STRATEGY AND RESEARCH - by: Mike Ashton - FEAD

You just can't "manualize" something as complex as changing human behaviour. This further proives the point that we need to stop blindly following evidence-based practice and look closer at practice-based evidence. This article, set of talking points from www.talkingcure.org actually, expands on the problems that come with evidence-based practice and it's child, manualized treatment.

In Search of Recovery - Inexcess » UKESAD

Video of Outside Edge Theatre Company peice called Broken Glass. Very nicely done.

"Broken Glass is an intense study of dual diagnosis, where people are affected by a mental illness and an addiction problem. It’s a harrowing, heart felt piece of work that is also full of hope, warmth and a real sense of humour."

Dave Cormier, Wiaoc09 on USTREAM. Conference

This was the best example of a collaborative online learning experience I have ever seen. Simply brilliant.

I have done this in face to face learning but have not been able to replicate the feel/outcome online. This is how to do it.

Charities hurting after NDP stops donating salary increase

Big BOO-HISS! to this. But the bigger story and way bigger question, is why are we still relying on donations to fund services for traumatized and sexually abused children.. or adults for that matter?

If you break your arm you can go to emergency and feel pretty secure in knowing that you will be taken care of. If need be you will even get aftercare in the form of physiotherapy. But if you are a sexually abused, child or adult, if your spirit is broken, don't hold your breath.

When, as a society, will we start taking emotional damage as seriously as physical damage?

PovNet Information and Advocacy

Keep forgetting about this site. Great resources to help advocate for clients on social assistance, disability, etc. They also have a great email list (have to sign confidentiality agreement to access) that I have used to get specific help for clients.

The site has information specific to BC and Canada.

Aiding Problem Drinkers In The Privacy Of Their Own Homes Using Web-Based, Self-Help Intervention

This is cool. With more and more people adopting and becoming more comfortable in an online environment providing alternatives to face to face counselling seems like a natural evolution. (Sorry for the long sentence)

I've often wondered if I could set up a Twitter-like feed for my clients in early recovery. Most have cell phones and sometimes.. a lot of the time.. a trigger/craving can be mediated with just the smallest amount of immediate support or distraction.

video: Mike Ashton on the need for workers to react flexibly to their clients - in: Interventions / Tools / Technologies - Workforce - by: Mike Ashton - FEAD

Mike describes the processes by which the practitioners choices can make things better or worse. "People who have decided that they want to go for treatment... 90% of the work is done".

This is cool. Not as fast as reading ablog but a welcome break from the usual written format.

And I like what he says. He'd like www.myoutcomes.com aand www.talkingcure.com

Coordinated Care Research

Via Daily Dose

"Further demonstration from a US research team that relatively intensive case management support does help welfare applicants overcome substance use problems, but in this case only those not already managed through substitute prescribing."

How many times does this have to be researched and proven?

Wiley InterScience :: Journal :: Article PDF

Interesting article that supports the formation of integrated and generalized services for substance abusing clients rather than specialized alcohol/drug counseling.

"To attract, engage and retain people more successfully with addiction-related problems, addictions services and the interventions they use need to be more welcoming, atractive and focused broadly toward their clients actual needs."

Article goes on to summarize that programs need to make clients whole lives better, not just focus on suppressing drug/alcohol use.

YouTube - Cleese on PR (full length)

Irish Needle Exchange Forum - Community Blog - Practitioners - Wired In

Just opened - "dedicated online resource for those working in the field on needle exchange services, those using the services, and those with an interest in the subject."

I joined this yesterday. Nigel Brunsdon from Injecting Advise and Tim Bingham from INEF.IE have done a great job setting up this forum.

Both Injecting Advise and INEF.IE website are full of timely and accurate information about drug use and harm reduction.

Let the conversations begin!