UTHSAC February Newsletter

February 2018

The meningococcal Vaccination Clinic took place from the 12th to 14th of December 2017 from 10 am to 6 pm at the Drug and Alcohols Services premises. Dr David Johnson, Trish Turner (RN), Sarah Fraser (RN) and Angela Dufek (RN) ran the clinic.

The first dose of the meningococcal Vaccination will be available for the age group of 2 months - 19 years until the 31st of March 2018.

Please contact UTHS clinic on 08 8672 5255 to arrange an appointment for your next vaccination.



Dr. Judy McDonald

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Dr. Jodie Whillas

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Dr. Dr Jennifer Schlager Dr. John Guy

Issue 20

The Drug Forum was held on 06.12.2017 at Drug and Alcohol centre.

Most of the community members from Coober Pedy Council, Police, Complete Personnel, Coober Pedy School, Hospital, Aboriginal Health Council, Housing SA, Families SA, Foot Steps, Umoona Council were attended to share their thoughts and Ideas for a better future for our community.

Mother’s Pamper Day was held at Drug and Alcohol centre Activity room on 15th of November 2017. The members from Aboriginal Health Council and staff from UTHSAC organised some of activities for the local community. Local Community enjoy hairdressing, massage, beauty therapies, canvas painting, face painting for kids and information session for health food, healthy life style and Quit smoking.

!Public Notice!

It is being recommend by health practitioners that in order to reduce long-term health risks, never exceed weekly limits of 15 standards of drinks for men and 10 standards of drinks for women. Also to reduce injury and other harms, never exceed daily limits and adjust your drinking according to the setting: 4 standards of drinks for men and 3 standards of drinks for women.

Avoid alcohol and other drug when:

Due to authorisation and technical issues UTHSAC has performed a new Facebook page under the name of “Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation - ICN 7460�. Please unlike an block the previous Facebook page as Umoona Tjutagku Health Service holds NO responsibly for any of the information published on that page in future.

* driving vehicles

* taking medicine or other drugs * dealing with health problems * making important decisions * providing care to others * before breastfeeding The safest option during pregnancy or when planning to become pregnant is to not drink alcohol at all. Alcohol can harm physical and mental development in young people. Delay drinking until late teens and with parental guidance. Young people are encouraged to adopt lower daily limits.

Some useful harm reduction tips!

Buy less, buying large amounts of a drug may be cheaper, you could end up using more than your usual dosage or frequency. * drink in safe environments and find a sober buddy to drop you home safely * Set a time and quantity limit before you start. * no more than 2 standards of drinks in any 3-hour period * eat before or while drinking and replace with non-alcoholic drinks * Avoid salty foods or snacks and may drink more out of thirst. * Plan out some drug-free days. * Use at your own speed and don’t feel pressured from others to pick up the pace. * Have a yarn with friends and family who have given up AOD use. * Choose the least harmful method of use. If you do inject drugs, avoid the neck area. When it comes to cannabis, using a vaporizer or smoking a joint (with a rolled up cardboard filter) is safer than using a bong and some pipes. * Use Condoms, protect yourself from STI and do a respect test.

17

Program Client’s Feedback Smoking wasn't for me after I found out about my family's Health history

Message from UTHS Tis officer...

Life is such a precious gift by God. Wasting it in doing negative things for you will result in depression, frustration and negativity for self. Efforts could be made to get the life on track again where, you could see happiness for you and your loved ones. With your strong will to change yourself, our anti-smoking Campaign could help you to achieve your goal. You just need to think of it and we are there to help you to transform your life.

We have serious health issues that could be related to smoking or could just be hereditary? So I made the decision not to smoke, and risk my health, also these days smoking cost a lot of money.

For any support and enquiries,

Smoking does cause a lot of health conditions like cancers and asthma, lung disease etc. and smoking is addictive makes you crave for cigarette when you haven't got it and this can cause stress in the family.

Please contact: TIS OFFICER on 08 8672 5255

Smoking is a person's own choice, it's not for me to tell them they can't do it, but I will tell them of the dangers of smoking and the effects it will have on their health and there is help at the Umoona Tjutagku Health Service that will help them if they want to quit they can come in and see the Doctors or the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Officer they will help you through your journey to quit.

Smoking for me I feel is a risk because of my family health history of Cancers, Asthma etc.

Be wise with your Health take care of your Lungs.

P. Crombie (AHW)

The best part about quitting is that you are creating a new life for yourself. People become completely different people when they quit smoking as I relegalized after quitting. I had been smoking for almost 2 decades (19 yrs.). During this 19 years, I tried to quit smoking once. But, unfortunately, I could not continue that. I started with smoking again as I came across some difficult family problems. Instead of coping with the situation , I opted for smoking again and ended up failing in life again.

But after spoiling 19 years of my precious life, now I realized what I have lost. Now I want to transform myself. I want to re-live my life. I have two kids, I want to quit smoking for good, want to go back to smoke free life for my family. I want to support my family. I don’t want to get sick anymore

J.B

Please think before you smoke...

Juice All natural juice without added sugar not only provides hydration but also important nutrients to keep you active in hot weather. Check the label on the juice bottle and make sure it says “100 percent juice with no sugar added.”

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine

There's a lot to do when the weather is right: family picnics, working on your tan at the beach, a homerun derby on the softball field, endless hours on the golf course, or lounging in your backyard hammock. Unfortunately, too much fun in the sun can be dangerous. Excessive heat exposure can cause dehydration, which in turn can cause dangerous conditions like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke (also called sunstroke).

No matter what your plans are this summer, you won't want to miss any of them. Combating the toll of the heat and sun on your body will keep you healthy and active all summer long. Try a few of these simple precautions, and you'll still be going strong as the leaves start to turn.

What to Wear The way you dress can go a long way towards keeping you comfortable when you’re outside in the heat. Make sure you bring:

Light-Coloured Clothes The white linen shirt every male movie star wears on the beach isn't just fashionably conscious; it's also intelligent for hot, sunny days. Dark clothing absorbs more heat, and tight clothes don't let sweat — your body's natural cooling system — evaporate.

Sunglasses Sunglasses are chic and functional. They prevent harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from scorching your corneas and protect your eyes for many more summers to come. Choose sunglasses that block 90 to 100 percent of UV rays.

Hats Unlike 8-inch high heels at the beach, a hat is smart summer fashion. Throwing on a wide-brimmed hat prevents UV rays from hitting the sensitive spots on your face and keeps your skin looking young and wrinkle-free.

Sunscreen Nothing knocks good days off a summer calendar like a nasty sunburn. When outdoors, use sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15. Use a higher-rated, waterproof sunscreen if you'll be poolside or out on the beach. Don't forget to cover areas that burn easily: nose, ears, shoulders, and back of the neck.

While an ice cold cocktail — complete with a little paper umbrella — might sound good on the beach, it won't be as refreshing to your body. That’s because alcohol only dehydrates you more. If you can't barbecue without a brew, drink a bottle of water between each alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated.

Like alcohol, caffeine sucks the moisture out of you. On hot days, avoid it as much as possible, especially when combined with alcohol.

What to Eat The food you eat can also help you stay cool. Try adjusting your diet so that it includes:

Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and vegetables are easy to digest and often high in water content. Salads and other dishes rich in seasonal produce will keep you feeling light and hydrated.

Spicy Foods Popular in warm climates, the tingling feeling and accompanying sweat caused by spicy foods has a purpose; the sweat actually cools your body down.

Low-Fat Meats Fat takes longer for your body to digest and carries a higher salt content, which can add extra strain on your body when you need it maximized for efficiency.

When to Stay Out of the Sun Avoid peak hours of sunlight when the temperatures and UV rays are at their highest, normally between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. That's the best time to head inside, get food and water, let your body cool down, and maybe even take a nap.

When heat and humidity are at their highest, it's never a bad time to take a break. Water sports are especially tricky because you can easily become overheated without realizing it. When in doubt, take a breather.

Where to Hide

Lip Balm

If you live in an area where summer heat can become dangerous, pay close attention to any heat-related warnings.

When it's dangerous, stay inside with the A/C or fan going. If it's not cool enough at home, find a cooling station, usually set up at public libraries and other buildings.

Just like sunscreen protects the rest of your skin, a lip balm with SPF protection blocks out the sun and keeps in moisture for your lips. Perfect for a day on the lake or while you're working on that summer romance.

If you must be outside, keep your activities close to a shady spot. It can provide enough of a cool down to keep you safe. Even a small drop in temperature can make a big difference.

How to Stay Hydrated The heat makes you sweat, which cools you down, but that also means you're constantly losing fluid. Here’s how to stay hydrated:

When it's hot and you're active, stay close to restaurants, convenience stores, or any other place that can offer cold temperatures and beverages should you need them in an emergency. If you're at the beach or pool, the cool water offers great relief from the heat.

Water Don't wait until you're thirsty! Drink water throughout the day to prevent dehydration or over exhaustion. Use the colour of your urine to guide if you're hydrated enough — the clearer the better.

Article from UTHS Practice Manager

Program Photos At Drug Forum 2017 The was a special presentation was conducted by Tackling Indigenous Smoking Officer and two other members from Aboriginal Health Council. On that presentation they discussed and explain how do you get addicted to smoking, who are most likely to get addicted, why people smoke, what chemicals a cigarette contains of, what are that health issues and how do you keep away from smoking.

My Story About Smoking...

I am 49 years old. I’ve been smoke free for about 4 years now, and I couldn’t be happier.

I first smoked from the age of 17 to 35, then I quit for about 6 years. Then I took it up again for 4 years before successfully quitting again. For me, it was a no-brainer. There is a fair amount of heart disease and cancer in my family history, I have a stressful job, high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, and I’m about 20kg overweight.

All the risk factors were there. The only one I couldn’t change was the family history, but there were things I knew I could do to address all the others. And the first one I tackled was the smoking.

I decided it simply wasn’t worth spending countless wastful hours of precious life, and thousands upon thousands of dollars, just to poison every cell in my body and slowly kill myself!

One of the biggest impacts is my father’s story. He started smoking when he was 15, and smoked more heavily as he went along. And the cigarettes he smoked were quite strong and unfiltered.

Dad was at the ripe old age of 51 when his life changed forever. He had a heart attack in February of that year, then triple bypass surgery in April, then a massive stroke in July. I was 17 at the time, and my brother was only 14. The stroke was bad enough that it probably should have killed him. But instead it just made him an invalid for 12 years, before dying at the age of 63.

The night Dad had that stroke changed all our lives forever. In an instant, our dad just wasn’t our dad anymore. He was this strange broken man, paralysed down his right side, who could no longer speak. He had physical therapy and speech therapy for several months, but he was never the same. He managed to walk again with a walking cane. But he never regained any movement or use of his right hand, and he never spoke another word again. He could only make sounds, but not form words. He went from a clever, active, successful, dominant man who was in complete control of his life, to a weakened man who cried a lot, got very frustrated on a daily basis, depended on others for everything, and wasn’t in control of a single decision ever again. It destroyed his spirit and will to live. And after working so hard all his life, he was robbed of enjoying his golden years and having a happy retirement. So 4 years ago, I realised I was I was only a few short years away from the exact age my father was when smoking essentially ‘took his life away’. I decided I didn’t want the same fate, and had to act fast.

Don’t wait until something scary happens. Don’t wait until the doctor gives you some really bad news.

Act now. You can’t change your family history, so change what you CAN. My other advice is – rejoice in the freedom of not smoking, rather than mourning the loss of it. Smokers spend too much time worrying about how they’ll cope without it, rather than how much they enjoy being free of it, how much their body will improve, how much cleaner they’ll feel, and how much others will notice the change…and just how dirty the habit really is. and how much money you spent on it.

Don’t be a stinky smoker! Be free! Trust me, it’s worth it.

Chris Rektsinis AHCSA Eye Health Project Officer

The RHD clients who are followed up regularly for their Bicillin Injections. Their INR is monitored regularly, and they are reviewed by the GP on a regular basis.

The Chronic diseases are long lasting conditions with persistent effects. Their social and economic consequences can impact on peoples’ quality of life. The clients who are

The Cardio- Vascular and Hyperten-

diagnosed with chronic diseases are taken care holistically at UTHS. The main chronic dis-

sive clients are seen by the GP on a regular

eases Managed at UTHS are Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, Cardio–Vascular diseases, RHD, Hy-

basis. The Blood Pressure is monitored by

pertension etc. These clients are given special attention and care in order for them to have

the outreach workers and the clients are encouraged to use their medications regularly.

a healthy lifestyle and to prevent complica-

Cardiologist gives his advice periodically so that these clients have their medications up-

tions. Clients are encouraged for self- man-

dates and have a healthy lifestyle. The RHD clients who are followed up regularly for their

agement by providing them with necessary

Bicillin Injections. Their INR is monitored regularly, and they are reviewed by the GP on a

equipment and health education.

regular basis.

The Diabetic clients are provided

The clients who are diagnosed with COPD/ Asthma are given Spacers and health edu-

with Glucometer with which they are able to

cation on how to use them. Their Spirometry is done when the Respiratory physician is

check their blood sugar levels. The clients

here and he reviews their medications and Bronchodilators.

are encouraged to come to the clinic and see the GP whenever they have a sugar level

The clients with renal problem are assisted to do their blood tests and urine tests reg-

more or less than expected. Moreover, these

ularly. They are periodically reviewed by the GP and their medications are reviewed as per

clients are regularly followed up by the En-

the need. The staff at the clinic and the healthy for life department take extra care to see

docrinologist, Hepatologist, Ophthalmolo-

these clients are monitored regularly. The Gym facility and the fitness program help these

gist, Podiatrist, and Optometrist in order to

clients to have a healthy lifestyle. The education on healthy eating and the nutrition pro-

have a comprehensive health care. The

gram helps the clients to learn their diet and adhere to it. There are specialists and allied

HbA1C for these clients are done regularly.

health professionals who are available for these clients and they take special care about

The Cardio- Vascular and Hypertensive clients are seen by the GP on a regular basis.

The Blood Pressure is monitored by the outreach workers and the clients are encouraged

them in order make these clients to have a healthy lifestyle.

The clients are assisted with PATS for their further investigations and treatment if they need to travel out of Coober Pedy.

to use their medications regularly. Cardiologist gives his advice periodically so that these clients have their medications updates and have a healthy lifestyle.

Article from UTHS Clinic Manager

Misuse of alcohol and other drugs takes its toll on everyone. Unfortunately shame and stigma can often be the biggest barriers to seeking help.

If you are affected directly or indirectly, remember you are not alone. Over 3.5 million Australians are seriously and negatively affected by alcohol alone*. our experienced counsellors will help you work through your challenges in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment. We offer a range of individual and group counselling programs.

Link to programmes UTHS Drug & Alcohol Counselling Service will link clients appropriately to our Day centre Activity Programmes. These are often essential for helping people quit or reduce drug and Alcohol use.

Programmes Include: * Men’s Harms Minimisation, * Young Adults’ Social & Emotional Wellbeing (18-25 years ) * Women’s Social& Emotional Wellbeing & Healthy for life * Men’s Music ,Youth sports (up to 17 years),

* Women's & Men's Changing Tracks (Art, Craft &Trade Skills) * Women’s & Men's Gym Groups.

Article from UTHS Drug & Alcohol Therapist at Drug & Alcohol Centre

UPCOMING DOCTORS & SPECIALIST MAY 2018

March 2018 SUN

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All the consultations are done by appointments, it can be made by contacting our reception on

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08 8672 5255

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between 8.30 am to 4.30pm

9AM-4.30PM

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For more information visit our website www.uths.com.au or follow us on Facebook.