30-03-2009 CONNECTIONS Krakow conference: a successful event reminds us of achievements so far, but, most importantly, of many challenges still ahead!
The 1st conference of the CONNECTIONS project took place in Krakow, Poland on the 25-27 March 2009.
The conference saw the participation of many delegates from European countries and beyond, together with experts and speakers from the academic field, NGOs, prison administration, international organisations, the police and users unions representatives.
The conference opened with a “Polish session” on Wednesday morning on substitution treatment in prison and run through plenary and parallel sessions covering the journey of a drug user within the criminal justice system from the phase of arrest through sentencing in court, alternatives to imprisonment - where iand when mplemented - and then prison and, not less important, the phase of release and aftercare.
Conference participants have expressed satisfaction with the variety of angles presented and discussed during the conference and with the opportunities for networking provided. The master class on “Quality in Drug Treatment” has been a success and delegates confirmed their appreciations for the opportunity to learn practical tools and for the interaction which it provided for.
All lessons to be learned for the next conference of the CONNECTIONS project, scheduled for early summer 2010 possibly in London.
Look out the CONNECTIONS website for conference proceedings to be published soon!
Cinzia Brentari, CONNECTIONS conference coordinator