Morning, Wednesday, 9th February 2022

This conference will examine policy priorities for tackling drug dependence and is a timely opportunity to discuss the long-term strategy that the UK Government unveiled in early December.

Delegates will consider these issues in the context of the Independent Review of Drugs and the published response from the Government, looking at the Review’s recommendations and the Government’s new strategy and what is needed to take them forward.

Discussion is also expected to look at priorities for the government following the strategy’s publication and how best to improve society’s response to drug dependence, ensure access to quality prevention, treatment, and recovery support, and enable the swift recovery of services in the context of the pandemic.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with Professor Dame Carol Black, Review lead, Independent Review of Drugs; Dr Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry, Stanford University; Advisor to the Independent Review of Drugs; and former drug policy advisor to President Barack Obama; and Rosanna O’Connor, Director, Addictions & Inclusion, Office of Health Improvement & Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care.