DDN CONFERENCE 2024 EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE TILL 11 JUNE
LET ’ S BE STRONGER
TOGETHER
Ready for this year ’ s DDN Conference experience ? We are !
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A lot ’ s happened in the year since we got together for the DDN Conference – unusually strong synthetic opioids have dominated , with everyone pulled into emergency planning and better communication . Drug consumption rooms have become acknowledged at the highest level as a basic harm reduction tool that cannot be ignored . Drug strategy ambitions have translated into a widespread recruitment drive and a focus on the training and skills needed .
Now we know that an election will have just taken place , we need to mobilise , challenge , inform – and work effectively with – those involved in drug policy and practice . Our session speakers include peer-led teams who will share their inspiration and energy on engaging people in safer practice and harm reduction . Among them , our regular columnist Shayla Schlossenberg from Release will be sharing her expertise on issues that have made her ‘ rough treatment ’ articles so valuable , while Stella Kityo brings inspiration and energy on developing the treatment offer for women . Recovery communities also share their entrepreneurial ideas for building thriving and supportive environments . Hearing about people doing things in a way that will inspire you has once again brought amazing speakers to our programme .
The afternoon session will harness the energy of the conference – a forum for discussion , debate and taking things forward beyond the day ’ s event . What ’ s working ? What ’ s not ? Who do we need to
tell ? How can we smash stigma ? What are the key messages for our politicians and policymakers ? We want you to get involved – we want to hear you voice . This conference is unique – our follow-up ‘ conference special issue ’ of DDN documents the outcomes and action plans of the day .
We ’ ve called the conference ‘ Stronger Together ’ because everyone in the room is involved , whether their perspective is from substance use , treatment , commissioning , policymaking , supporting others , or wanting
AT A GLANCE …
to learn and understand more . Politicians say that the voice of lived experience is important – let ’ s make sure the personal influences the political .
Alongside the work we aim to have fun – and we do ! The networking opportunities are incredible , with a thriving exhibition alongside the main session hall . Mighty fine refreshments will keep you going all day . If you ’ ve not been to a DDN Conference before you ’ re in for a treat … and if you have , you ’ ll be counting down to Thursday 11 July !
Venue : National Motorcycle Museum , Birmingham Date : Thursday 11 July Timings : Registration from 9am , conference 10am-4pm Catering : Includes all refreshments and a cooked lunch Useful info : Wifi is available , free entry to the Motorcycle Museum from 4pm , massage treatments , sports activities , and a public lounge provided by Camerados ! For the full programme , online booking and a flavour of last year ' s event drinkanddrugsnews . com / ddn-conference-2024 /
24 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • JUNE 2024 WWW . DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS . COM