December 2008

Making Every Adult Matter

Hosted by Homeless Link, Clinks, DrugScope and Mind, this one-day conference is concerned with improving the outcomes for service users who have complex needs. The conference will mark the beginning of an important new coalition that will work to achieve positive change by influencing policy-making and public debate.

For more information and to book a place, please go to www.homeless.org.uk/events

We’ve got the future in our hands: Are we up to it?

3 December
Glasgow

Glasgow Centre for Population Health is hosting this lecture by Maureen O’Hara PhD, Professor of Psychology, National University, San Diego, California, USA.

There is mounting evidence that the demands of everyday life in these complex and uncertain times is presenting humanity with both a threat to survival and also an opportunity for evolutionary transformation.

Is humanity being pushed beyond our limits to cope or are we instead on the cusp of a breakthrough in consciousness on a global scale?

Is the rising tide of mental anguish - anxiety, depression, suicide, addiction and violence – a sign that we are being overtaken by our powerful times?

Or is the newly enlivened participatory impulse that swept a young African American man into the White House an indication that we are growing up and developing expanded psychological capacities, new forms of thinking and social innovation.

Dr O'Hara will take a fresh look at the challenges of the globalising 21st century.

She will suggest that if we understand what is happening from an evolutionary perspective, we may be able to learn our way into a more humane future.

The event will take place between 4.30pm and 6pm at the Radisson Hotel, and is free of charge.

Places are limited to 100. For more details see www.gcph.co.uk and following the link to ‘Events’ and ‘Forthcoming events’.

Contact: 0141 221 9439

Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum (SURF) Awards Dinner 2008

SURF Awards are presented each year to projects that are doing outstanding regeneration work in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities.

 

For more information see the SURF website: http://www.scotregen.co.uk/events/default.asp?ItemID=668

 

Contact: Derek Rankine email derek@scotregen.co.uk or tel 0141 585 6879

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Getting Unhooked: Tackling Scotland's Drug Problem

8 December

Edinburgh

 

This conference will examine the  new Scottish drug strategy and consider how best to implement it across Scotland.

 

It will consider the interaction between illicit substance use and wider social inequalities, as well as how best to include social reintegration as an integral part of drug treatment.

 

Speakers and delegates will consider the impact of homelenessness and lack of educational opportunities or job skills on keeping users off drugs and preventing potential users from taking up illicit substances.

 

Experts will also consider the rates of co-morbidity of mental health and illness and problematic drug use and how best to include treatment for mental health within. and alongside treatment of, substance use problems.

 

A range of speakers will also examine the role of enforcement in reducing drug-related harm amd sentencing options for those convicted of drug-related crime, as well as conceptualising drug treatment as a human rights issue.

 

Keynote speakers:

• Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Community Safety, The Scottish Government
• David Liddell, Director, Scottish Drugs Forum
  Gordon Meldrum, Director General, Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency
• Professor Peter Reuter, School of Public Policy and Department of Criminology, University of Maryland, USA
• Dr Alex Baldacchino, Director of the Centre for Addiction Research and Education Scotland (CARES)
• Sandy Riddell, Convener of the Criminal Justice Standing Committee, Association of Directors of Social Work

See http://conferences.holyrood.com/content/view/715/142/ for more information.

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Sunflower Garden Christmas Concert

10 December
Edinburgh

 

Crossreach’s support service for pre-school and primary aged children affected by drug and alcohol problems in Edinburgh, is celebrating its sixth birthday with a Christmas Concert in St Andrews & St George’s Church, George Street from between 6.30pm to 8.00pm. Entry is free.

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2 Day Groupwork Course