RECOVERY MOVEMENT HAS ARRIVED!
As 500 people attended the UK/European Symposium on Addictive Disorders, to participate in Effective approaches to intervention, treatment and recovery, it was clear not that a grassroots recovery movement has started - but that it has arrived.
And within 36 hours of the last UKESAD presentation, the family-centric Centre for Policy Studies released a devastating critique by Kathy Gyngell of Labour's 'top down' failure to support people who need help.
Hear the voices of people in recovery and their supporters.
HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 2 - click for video:
"It’s been a fantastic day at UKESAD. We didn’t know what to expect but were rewarded again with a range of presentations and interviews that have brought insight and views from around the world. We started the day with Christopher Kennedy Lawford who was testament that addiction reaches all levels of society and does not discriminate. We have heard the views of Dr Robert Johnson, Prof Roger Weiss and Dr Louis Baxter. In a slight departure form our normal content we heard Dr Jack Kuo on Video Game addiction," writes George Williams.
"In the afternoon we were treated to The Outside Edge Theatre Company and managed to catch up with Phil Fox their creative force and board member David Charkman. The surprise of the day was managing to grab a few words with Jimmy Page - one of the finest guitarists in the world and patron of the Outside Edge Theatre Company."
Some of the speakers 15 May (l-r): Shadow minister for justice David Burrowes MP, UKESAD organiser Deirdre Boyd and actor/author/advocate Christopher Kennedy Lawford.
HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 1 - click for video:
"Inexcess’s first day at UKESAD has been an inspiration. We met people bringing a diverse view of the world of addiction, treatment and recovery. Dr Brian Iddon MP brought a political perspective to the debate, while we have been enlightened by academics and medical practitioners including Dr Robin Lawrence and Professor David Rosenbloom from Boston University," George Wiliams reports. "After lunch, we found ourselves in the company of Nick Barton and Kirby Gregory from Action on Addiction. Ed Mitchell shared his recovery in an interview of humour, honesty and experience."
Speakers on their way to the All-Party Parliamentary Drugs Misuse Group, 13 May (l-r): Professor Larry Ashley of the University of Nevada, Professor Roger Weiss of Dept of Psychiatry-Harvard, Professor David Rosenbloom of Casa and JoinTogether.com, Patrick Kennedy Lawford, ASAM president Dr Louis Baxter, Jaime Delgado of Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, Association of Intervention Specialists board member Jane Eigner Mintz, IC&RC president Jeff Wilbee, Addiction Recovery Foundation CEO Deirdre Boyd, HRDI CEO Dr Andrea Barthwell, Tammi VerHelst of IITAP, Patrick Carnes, interventionist John Southworth and Freedom Consultancy director Johan Sorensen.
Comments from Professor David Clark and the WiredIn online recovery community
REGISTER FOR UKESAD 2010
We look forward to seeing friends old and new, to the 'buzz' of like minds, and exchanging international expertise via networking and our 60 national and international speakers in about 40 presentations. Delegates booking before December 2009 can benefit from significant 'early bird' discounts.
Telephone 020-7233 5333.
Hi
Nice conference - my concern is no NTA there? i had a few questions to ask, such as the one about how the new guidelines to register with the 'Independent Safeguarding Authority' to be able to work with vulnerable adults.
Seem to preclude ex-service users and ex-offenders, a great source of knowledge and experience.
The work force lead for Sussex wrote a letter to Paul Hayes where they outlined an experiment they carried by putting through 5 current staff to be cleared to work - and only one was cleared, 2 were barred, no appeal (instant dismissal, ITS A CRIME TO APPLY FOR WORK IF YOU ARE BARRED IMPRISONABLE BY UPTO 5 YEARS IN PRISON). 2 barred but can appeal and make representations.
These were people like me who have 10 yrs plus in the field whose an ex-user and offender.... so this equates to 80% of those put forward were barred. I am likely to lose my job over this... if you don't believe me go to www.isa.gov.uk...
My question is what's happened to the drive to recruit ex-service users by the NTA (a target outlined in their workforce planning guide) and this new body (who have no SM expertise on their board... all police/RAF and probation.... great view of addiction and RoO act.....), classic british government left hand not knowing what the right is doing... And the slap in the face is that it costs £64 to be cleared!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The study by the sussex work force lead estimates that this could affect 6000 out of the 8400 staff in the sector.
Well, the NTA's target is 11000 drug workers.... mmmm.
Be lucky to have a treatment system within 12 months...
Oh well, back to using for me!!!!!! At least i will be treated better that I am now as a drug worker ...
Lastly, it begins October 2009.... hope you have insurance on your mortgage, you won't even be able to practice privately.
Posted by: Very concerned of Dorset | May 19, 2009 at 03:17 PM
I would love to come to your conference next year. Do you have the dates?
Posted by: Ken Seeley | August 28, 2009 at 09:14 PM