CRUN to host drugs and alcohol conference in Portrush

The one-day conference will be held at Royal Court, Portrush on Wednesday October 3, from 9.30 a.m. until 3.30 p.m. and will be free-of-charge for anyone who lives and/or works in the local district council areas of Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Cookstown, Larne, Magherafelt, Moyle and Newtownabbey.

The conference, funded by the Public Health Agency in support of the Northern Drugs and Alcohol Coordination Team’s Local Action Plan, is for practitioners and community members from statutory, community and voluntary sector organisations and groups in the Northern area.

It will provide an awareness of the impact drugs and alcohol have on all members of the family, and include presentations from speakers from Barnardos, Onus and Addiction NI. Topics being discussed will be Hidden Harm and the effects of parental drug and alcohol misuse on children, Domestic Violence and substance use and the hidden and neglected area of Older People’s alcohol use.

Ann McNickle, CRUN Project Manager, said: “The impact of drugs and alcohol on family members has always been a hidden area and it is intended that this conference will heighten awareness of the ripple effects alcohol and other substances have, not just on the users themselves, but on their family members.”

“The conference will also be an opportunity for practitioners and community members to network and gain an insight into the issues facing vulnerable and isolated people, living day-to-day with the problems of substance misuse within their families.”

All participants just register for this event. For a registration form and further details on the programme, please contact either Paula or Geraldine at the CRUN office on tel: 028 7034 4934 or email: [email protected] / [email protected]