Making data work for you!

Issue: Australia has a large number of data sets, but there are significant difficulties in identifying the best available data for answering specific questions. The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, in consultation with the alcohol and drug sector, has developed a unique Australian alcohol data base which synthesises data from key datasets not readily available otherwise. The development of a similar data base for illicit drugs is about to commence.Approach: To conduct an interactive presentation. The innovative alcohol database will be introduced by overviewing its ‘frequently asked questions’. Audience feedback will then be sought through a question and answer format using audio response devices (‘clickers’). Clickers enable participants to respond to questions using a hand-held keypad. These responses will be automatically collated and viewed by the audience in real time
Key Findings: Promotion of this valuable data base resource to conference delegates; along with opportunity for delegate input into the development of the next phases.Implications: Synthesising data from a large and diverse number of national data holdings will go a long way towards effectively informing community debate, policy development and evidence based practice by minimising potential confusion that can stem from varied reporting methods.Conclusion: Australia will have the most comprehensive Australian set of alcohol and illicit drug statistics, providing a mechanism in which data is presented in a consistent and comparable manner that is readily accessible to the general public