Conference 2010

‘Drugs, Alcohol and Criminal Justice:
ethics, effectiveness and economics of interventions'

Friends House, London, UK -24-25 June 2010

The University of Kent is delighted to announce the Second European Conference of the CONNECTIONS Project, organised by the Conference Consortium and supported by Drink and Drugs News and Napo.

The Context

The conference takes place at a time of unprecedented competition for scarce resources everywhere. To be able to demonstrate ‘value for money’ is critical and nowhere is this more so than in drug and alcohol treatment. Following previous conferences where we have examined the various treatment models and interventions available, this event will seek to tease out how different modalities can be delivered and combined to construct a comprehensive treatment system, offering accessible and effective options to those requiring help, demonstrating value for money.

The Issues

The conference will look at a range of interventions and treatments, from harm reduction to drug free ‘recovery’. The premise is that no one treatment modality can deal effectively with the complex range of presented need. The task of the conference is to discuss and debate how best the different components can be combined most effectively.

Within the context of criminal justice systems some of the key issues for the conference will be:

• Access and equivalence – what right do service users have, are they ‘a patient or a prisoner’?

• Evidence and effectiveness – what really works and how do we demonstrate this?

• How can we reconcile different philosophies and shape a system based on choice and plurality?

• Who decides what is offered and when – how do we ensure the ‘informed consent’ and is there a place for compulsion?

• What role should and can service users play in service design and delivery?

The Programme

The conference will combine plenary sessions on the major issues, combined with themed interactive workshops to examine in more detail some of the options available. All those presenting and facilitating will address the ‘3 E’s’:

• Are interventions ethical – for example do they have due regard to human rights?

• Are they effective – what does the evidence tell us?

• Are they economically viable – obviously this will vary from place to place, but the underlying process is to examine the relative costs of both action and inaction.

 We ask that all participants approach the discussions with an open mind. The conference is based on the premise that no single intervention can be universally applied to produce positive outcomes. Whilst it is accepted that everyone attending will have views on and preferences for specific methods, it is important that we are able to critically examine all of these in the wider context of an overall treatment system.

The Structure

The conference will run from Thursday 24th to Friday 25th June 2010. Thursday will comprise registration and a series of optional visits to criminal justice and treatment facilities in the London area. These will include NGOs, police stations, probation teams and prisons, where delegates will have the chance to observe and hold discussions with those working and receiving services. This has been included following feedback from previous events requesting we do this.

 Friday will comprise the formal agenda for the conference. There will be a number of plenary sessions, with highly regarded speakers who will address the fundamental issues for the conference. In addition we will invite a range of practitioners to present their work within the context outlined in the last section.

The Output

The proceedings of the conference will be recorded and published in a report, together with any recommendations that might emerge during the event. In the first instance this will be published in a special issue of Drink and Drug News. It will also be presented to the European Commission.

The report will also be made available to everyone to use as a tool to influence decision making in a range of locations. For example in the UK it will be presented to parliamentarians, via the Cross Party Group on Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Harm Reduction, and we would encourage delegates to consider other ways the information can be disseminated to decision makers. Advice and assistance on this can be provided.

The Audience

The conference is directly relevant to professionals and service users from health, drugs, and social care organisations, as well as probation staff, police, prison based staff and managers, funders and purchasers of services, academics and NGOs representatives. We also hope that it will be of interest to politicians and policy makers.

Conference languages

The official language of the conference will be English. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in the main auditorium in Russian. Further languages might be available if further funding is obtained.


Call for abstracts

If you wish to make a presentation during the conference you are invited to submit an abstract of maximum 250 words. Such abstracts should be related to the themes and topics outlined in the draft programme. The deadline for abstract submission is Sunday 14th February 2010, 1700 GMT.

To submit an abstract please visit www.connectionsproject.eu/conference2010, sign up to the on-line registration/submission system and then follow the instructions for abstract submission. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Programme Committee and those selected for oral presentation within the programme will attract a 15% discount on the appropriate conference fee for one presenter.

The venue

The conference will take place at the Friends House in London, UK. With their private courtyard, garden, café and refreshments served to meeting rooms, Friends House is an oasis of calm and comfort on the edge of the bustling West End. From its location opposite Euston Station the building is near hotels and guest houses to suit all budgets. Friends House is easily reached by all major rail, bus and tube services.

More information at http://www.friendshouse.co.uk/meeting-rooms-and-conference-halls-euston-london

 Registration fees

*The reduced fee applies to participants from: developing countries (those less developed than Latvia on the UN Human Development Index), students (with proof of status) and drug user advocate organisations.

To register for the conference please visit www.connectionsproject.eu/conference2010. Sign up to the on-line registration system and then follow the instructions for participant registration.

The conference registration fee includes admission to all sessions and social events, full conference documentation, refreshments and lunches during the conference and a reception in the evening.  


Payment

Registration fees can be paid to the University of Kent by bank transfer (in Euros or British Pounds) or credit card. Payment details are displayed in the registration system (www.connectionsproject.eu/conference2010).

Please make sure the bank transfer clearly indicates the participants name and “Connections London” as a reference. The delegate is responsible for all bank charges. Registration will not be confirmed unless the full amount is received.


Accommodation

The conference fee does not include accommodation. Delegates are responsible for arranging and booking their own accommodation. There are a number of hotels that will offer delegates a conference rate and further details, together with links to these hotels, will be available on the conference website (http://www.connectionsproject.eu/conference2010).


Sponsor and exhibitors

The organisers would like to offer the opportunity to companies and organisations with an interest in the field to support the event. This can be in the form of sponsorship, or through having an exhibition space, or placing inserts in the conference pack received by all delegates to the conference.

Involvement in the conference affords the opportunity for companies and organisations interested to raise their profile and visibility with the conference delegates, including Governments, International and Non-Governmental Organisations, the media and the network’s partners in Europe and beyond.

A range of opportunities is available. For more details and to discuss your requirements please contact Andy Stonard ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT:

Magdalena Zieba, Conference Consortium
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CONFERENCE DIRECTOR:

Cinzia Brentari, CONNECTIONS project coordinator
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


PROGRAM COMMITTEE:

Karen Biggs, Phoenix Futures
Cinzia Brentari, University of Kent
Claire Brown, Ian Ralph, DDN
Paddy Costall, Conference Consortium
Nicoleta Dascalu, ARAS
Harry Fletcher, NAPO
Fabienne Hariga, UNODC
Dagmar Hedrich, EMCDDA
Kazim Khan, T3E
Eva Koprolin, Pompidou Group
Lars Moller, WHO HIPP
Peter Sarosi, HCLU
Alex Stevens, University of Kent
Heino Stöver, University of Frankfurt
Terhi Viljanen, HEUNI
Krzysztof Wilamowski, Probacja