June 2004

Conference focuses on drug use impact

The Anex 2004 Harm Reduction Conference will centre on the impact of illicit drug use on the real contexts and priorities of people’s lives.

The People, Practice, Evidence conference will be held at Rydges Hotel, 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, on July 20 and 21.

It will address the complex health issues surrounding illicit drug use and discuss strategies and solutions to maximise health for the whole community.

Conference topics will include:

• The way services evolve and adapt to meet the needs of people who use and/or inject illicit drugs;

• The critical elements required for effective services;

• Current resources and those that could be cultivated to address the complex health issues surrounding illicit drug use;

• Ways forward to maximise the health of everyone in the community.

Speakers will include:

• David Herkt—long time users’ activist and current documentary maker for New Zealand television, on the social history of illicit drug use;

• Tony Trimingham—Family Drug Support CEO, on the impact of illicit drug use on families;

• Dr Jake Najman—Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre Director, on stories from users of illicit drugs;

• Dr Alex Wodak—St Vincent’s Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service Director, on the past, present and future of Needle and Syringe Programs;

• Fr Peter Norden—Jesuit Social Services Policy Director, on the relationship between policing, government, media and the community;

• Annie Madden—national user organisation Executive Officer, talking about young women injectors;

Anex is a community-based organisation dedicated to the prevention of drug-related harm for individuals, families and communities.

• For more information about the Anex Harm Reduction Conference visit http://www.anex.org.au/conference2004/conference.htm or contact the Anex office on 9417 4838.