November 6th 2013
Thanks to the continued support of our generous sponsors Reckitt Benckiser and Ansvar Insurance, DrugScope’s annual conference returned this year to the Grand Connaught Rooms, Holborn.
Over 100 delegates enjoyed a packed day of presentations and workshops covering a huge range of subjects, but all in some way considering the enormous changes (and challenges) currently facing the drug and alcohol field.
The impact of localism, Police and Crime Commissioners, and new drugs were examined; workshops were delivered on Payment by Results, novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and commissioning in the new landscape. Our keynote speaker, Rosanna O’Connor, Director, Alcohol and Drugs at Public Health England, took the opportunity in her plenary presentation to launch this year’s drug treatment statistics (for more information see here); to close the day, Martin Barnes, DrugScope’s CEO, who will be departing for pastures new at the end of 2013, gave a speech reflecting on ten years at the helm.
A full day, certainly – and hopefully one which has provoked thought, discussion and reflection among those who attended. We are already looking forward to next year.
Conference presentations
Dr Marcus Roberts, Policy Director, DrugScope - Setting the scene:what does localism mean for our sector? (PPT)
Dr Andrew Howe, Director of Public Health, Brent and Harrow - The role of the Director of public Health, Brent and Harrow (PPT)
John Jolly, CEO Blenheim CDP - Challenges to services of alcohol and new drugs (PPT)
Dr John Ramsey, St George's Hospital Medical School - Update on new drugs/legal highs (PDF)
Katy MacLeod, National Training & Development Officer, SDF - Update on new drugs/legal highs (PDF)
Tom Woodcock, Commissioning Lead for Lancashire and Chris Lee, Lanacshire substance Misuse Services - Commissioning in the new landscape (PPT)
Ray Smith, PHE - Practical lessons from Payment by Results pilots (PPT)
Russell Webster, independent consultant - Practical lessons from Payment by Results pilots (PPT)
Martin Barnes, DrugScope CEO summing up the day and giving reflections on ten years at the helm of DrugScope (PDF)
Conference feedback from delegates
"I found the variety refreshing and the information was incredibly up-to-date”
“very useful for obtaining a wider perspective of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector”
“Good range of subjects and interesting speakers. Legal highs session was excellent!”
“A great networking opportunity”
Pictures
Plenary 1: Sophie Howe, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, South Wales Police; Dr Marcus Roberts, DrugScope; Dr Andrew Howe, Director of Public Health, Brent and Harrow; John Jolly, CEO Blenheim CDP and Harry Shapiro, DrugScope
Rosanna O'Connor, Director, Alcohol and Drugs, PHE, Keynote address with Martin Barnes, DrugScope
Dr John Ramsey, St George's Hospital Medical School - Workshop: Update on new drugs/legal highs
Ray Smith, PHE, and Russell Webster, independent consultant - Workshop: Practical lessons from Payment by Results pilots
Kelly McSorley, Challenge of Change; Jennifer Holly, Stella Project Coordinator and Gemma Lousley, DrugScope - Workshop: The Challenge of Change: service access for women involved in prostitution
Tom Woodcock, Commissioning Lead for Lancashire and Chris Lee, Lancashire Substance Misuse Service - Workshop: Commissioning in the new landscape
Conference exhibitors
Martin Barnes, DrugScope CEO summing up the day and giving reflections on ten years at the helm of DrugScope
Conference survey
Please complete our survey to tell us what you thought of the conference here
