Changing the Conversation on Addiction

Description

Delegates can expect to learn from leading experts about the latest developments in the substance use and addiction field, feel inspired by success stories, engage with others, and get involved in lively debate.

This one day event will provide a unique opportunity for practitioners, medical professionals, clinicians, community activists, outreach workers, advice workers, policy makers, employers, people with lived experienced of addiction and their families to come together to shape a new conversation on how we address addiction in Northern Ireland.

(We have a limited number of bursary places available. Contact s.mulgrew@inspirewellbeing.org)

Agenda

9:00: Registration

9.30: Conference Opens

Tara Mills

• Conference Host

Addictions in NI 40 Years on

Alex Bunting

• Director of Addiction NI.

Policy and Practice in NI

• (tbc)

Changing Policy To Achieve Better Outcomes

Tony Duffin

• CEO of the Ana Liffey Drug Project

Danny Kushlick

• Political activist and Founder of Transform Drug Policy Foundation

Penny McCanny 

• Anyone’s Child: Families for Safer Drug Control

11:15 Mid Morning Break

Keynote Address: Drugs Do Not Define Addiction

Dr Stanton Peele

• World renowned addiction expert, psychologist and author ‘Love and Addiction’, ‘Why Addiction Isn’t a Disease’ and ‘Recover! An Empowering Program to Help You Stop Thinking Like an Addict and Reclaim Your Life’

Changing Our Approach

Judge Fiona Bagnall

• Presiding judge in Belfast Substance Misuse Court

Dr Geraldine O'Hare

• Acting Director of Rehabilitation: Probation Board Northern Ireland

Peter Sheath

• Chem Sex Mental health Lead for Addaction

Dr Anne Campbell

• Senior Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast and winner of highly prestigious Lifetime Drug and Alcohol Fellowship Application to NIDA (US)

Michael Bailey

• Social Support Officer at Addiction NI and facilitator in Addiction NI Mutual Aid Group

1:30 Lunch

Keynote Address: Addiction Is Not A Disease

Marc Lewis

• Developmental neuroscientist and author of ’The Biology of Desire’ and‘Memoirs of an Addicted Brain’

Stigma Free Conversations

Liz Karter Women and Addiction

• A leading UK expert in gambling addiction in women and author ‘Women and Problem Gambling’, ‘Addictions from an Attachment Perspective’

Clare Flynn

• Community health worker and recovery blogger

Kelly Bonner

• BBCNI Reporter

Q&A: Expert panel

4:15: Conference Close

Please note: speakers are subject to change.

Book early to avoid disappointment!