New addictions appointments

One of the newest courses at AUT University’s North Shore Campus is welcoming staff from overseas and closer to home.

The Graduate Diploma in Addictions, new for 2008, equips students with the knowledge and skills required to work effectively in the addictions field. Areas of specialisation include problem gambling; tobacco control; drug, alcohol and substance abuse; health promotion; and early intervention and treatment.

Ruth DeSouza, who is AUT’s Asian and Migrant Health Research Centre Co-ordinator, will be running and teaching on the diploma. She has an extensive background in mental and migrant health, and strong community connections.

“AUT are fortunate to have lecturers of national and international renown involved in the new programme, as well as solid contributions and support from service providers in the field. This is the first addictions qualification to include tobacco and problem gambling,” says DeSouza.

Joining the teaching team is Dr Helen Warren, who for the past 12 years has co-ordinated and taught Alcohol and Drug Studies Programmes at the University of Auckland and UNITEC. Dr Warren has worked as a clinician in mental health and alcohol and drug services for 27 years.

Associate Professor Paul McDonald, from the University of Waterloo, Canada will visit AUT to teach the diploma’s tobacco control papers.

For more information visit http://www.autuni.ac.nz/health/study-options/Graduate-Diploma-in-Addictions/

Click here to download the brochure.