Let’s be Stronger Together

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 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!

For more information and to book a place: drinkanddrugsnews.com/ddn-conference-2024/

EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE TILL 11 JUNE