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Ireland\u2019s first National Drugs Forum is opening with the aim of promoting best practice in addiction services.<\/p>\nIreland\u2019s first National Drugs Forum is opening with the aim of promoting best practice in addiction services.<\/p>\n
Catherine Byrne, the minister for health promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, is opening the forum at Dublin\u2019s Aviva Stadium.<\/p>\n
The event aims to provide an opportunity for those working in addiction services, task forces and other organisations to exchange knowledge around what works, and to identify information gaps.<\/p>\n
More than 230 delegates representing drug and alcohol service providers in the community, voluntary and statutory sectors, as well as policymakers and representatives from Government departments, will take part in the one-day initiative.<\/p>\n
The theme of this year\u2019s forum is \u201cWorking better together by building communities of practice\u201d.<\/p>\n
Implementing the actions from the National Drugs Strategy requires collaboration, and communities of practice are a great example of this partnership approach<\/p>\n
Ms Byrne said the delegates at the forum had the opportunity to shape policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cImplementing the actions from the National Drugs Strategy requires collaboration, and communities of practice are a great example of this partnership approach,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDelegates here today will have the opportunity to share experiences and work together to shape policy going forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am looking forward to a very engaging forum, hearing from local and international experts, and listening to those who work on the front line in our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darrin Morrissey, chief executive of the Health Research Board (HRB), who will give the opening address at the event, said: \u201cThe HRB is committed to supporting the use of evidence in drug and alcohol work and promoting good practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s forum will help to strengthen the capacity of existing communities of practice and generate ideas for new networks and collaborative working opportunities across statutory, community and voluntary sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keynote addresses will be given by Karen Minyard and Brigitte Manteuffel, from Georgia Health Policy Center, on communities of practice, and Professor Harry Sumnall, from Liverpool John Moores University, on evidence of effectiveness.<\/p>\n
There are presentations from community, voluntary and statutory agencies that work in the drugs and alcohol arena relating to prevention, peer support, social integration and harm reduction services.<\/p>\n