Non-medical use of prescription drugs

This event will focus on the topic of non-medical use of prescription drugs. Despite significant numbers of people being prescribed psychoactive drugs like opiates, sedatives and stimulants there is insufficient information about who is at risk of developing problems such as dependency.

It will bring together people who can offer personal and professional insights of the extent of the issue and how we can support people who develop problems. It will also will also see the formal launch of the Opioid Painkiller Dependency Alliance - http://opdalliance.org.uk/.

With live tweeting, podcast interviews and lots of opportunities to post questions and comments, we hope that you’ll take part by sharing your experience and thoughts throughout the day. You can do this by following the hashtag on twitter #NonMedicalDrugs

This event is aimed at involving everyone who has an interest in this topic. We will take it #BeyondTheRoom with Vanessa Garrity from We Mental Health Nurses and André Tomlin from the Mental Elf, who run the beyondtheroom.net live conference service.

Brief presentations will aim to trigger discussion. Presenters include:

• Charlie Lloyd, Chair
• Martin Johnson, OPD Alliance
• Cathryn Kemp, My Story
• Javiera Cartagena-Farias, London School of Economics
• Harry Sumnall, Liverpool John Moores University
• Graham Parsons, Turning Point
• Paul Hayes, Collective Voice
• Adam Winstock, Global Drug Survey 

For more information contact Ian Hamilton (ian.hamilton@york.ac.uk or telephone 01904 321673)