Drugs and Substance Misuse Conference 2025
Present Supporters Include:
Overview
The Drugs and Substance Misuse Conference 2025 comes at a critical moment in the UK’s efforts to address substance misuse. With the rise of ketamine, the increasing prevalence of vaping among young people, and the emergence of new drug consumption trends, the need for targeted and evidence based strategies has never been more urgent to ensure harm reduction.
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Keynote: Shifting Trends in Substance Use – the Rise of Ketamine
- Analyse the rise of Ketamine and the implications for service providers
- Examine patterns of drug use among university students, focusing on emerging motivations and the social environments fuelling use
- Investigate regional disparities in drug misuse, including the socioeconomic factors.
Senior representative, Transform Drug Policy Foundation (invited)
Keynote: Evolving Policy and Harm Reduction Innovations
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the UK’s “From Harm to Hope” drug strategy, particularly its focus on disrupting supply chains and expanding treatment accessibility.
- Explore new technologies like wearables and virtual reality interventions designed to prevent overdoses and support recovery.
- Gain insights into the development of the UK’s first drug consumption room in Glasgow, examining the barriers and potential impact on harm reduction.
Lynn Macdonald, Service Manager, The Thistle (Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnerships) (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Tackling Vaping and Synthetic Cannabinoid Use in Schools
- Investigate the rise of vaping among young people, with a focus on the presence of synthetic cannabinoids in some products and their impact on adolescent health.
- Discuss the implications of vaping trends for school policies, youth education programs, and community engagement.
- Explore collaborative approaches for addressing vaping in schools, including partnerships between police, social care, and educational institutions.
Prof. Chris Pudney, Dept. Life Sciences, University of Bath (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Addressing Gaps in Substance Misuse Treatment
- Understand how individuals can get ‘stuck in the system’ and explore compassionate individual responses
- Examine challenges faced by treatment services, including resource constraints and the increasing complexity of cases involving multiple substance misuse
- Discuss strategies for bridging gaps in service delivery, particularly for underserved populations.
Seán Robinson, CEO, Rehabit (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break & Networking
Case Study: Emerging Drug Threats and Implications for Frontline Professionals
- Identify the risks posed by xylazine and its growing presence in the UK drug market, with a focus on clinical and enforcement challenges.
- Explore the community-level impact of nitazenes, or “Frankenstein heroin,” and its role in escalating overdose crises.
- Examine the rise of synthetic party drugs like “pink cocaine,” including their public health implications and challenges for law enforcement
Head of Drug & Alcohol Service, Bracknell Forest Council (invited)
Case Study: Socioeconomic and Environmental Drivers of Substance Abuse
- Understand how socioeconomic deprivation shapes patterns of drug misuse, including prescription opioid dependence.
- Discuss the intersection of homelessness and substance abuse, highlighting effective intervention models for vulnerable populations.
- Explore integrated approaches to addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in at-risk communities.
Senior Representative, University of Newcastle (invited)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Law Enforcement and Disruption of Drug Supply Chains
- Analyse evolving drug smuggling techniques and the strategies employed by UK law enforcement to counteract them
- Review the impact of recent legal reforms on drug-related crime and their implications for frontline policing
- Examine how community-focused policing models can complement enforcement efforts with prevention and outreach initiatives.
Helen Sugg, Crime Analyst – Drugs & Exploitation, Hertfordshire Constabulary (invited)
Case Study: Public Health Responses to Substance Abuse
- Assess the effectiveness of public health campaigns in reducing drug misuse and fostering behavioural change in different demographics
- Discuss the role of equity in treatment accessibility, focusing on strategies to reach marginalised and underserved populations
- Evaluate methodologies for monitoring and measuring the success of public health interventions in addressing substance abuse.
Senior Thought Leader, The Association of Directors of Public Health (invited)
Questions & Answers
Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers
Harry Sumnall
Professor in Substance Use
Public Health Institute
Rachael Miller
Deputy Director. Joint Combating Drugs Unit
Home Office
Clare Taylor
COO
Turning Point
Tim Sampey
Chief Executive
Build on Belief
Testimonials
“After participating in this course, it has given me insight into how different agencies, from charities, NHS, to Police are moving forward helping users to help themselves, with a view to reduce the amount of users, subsequent deaths and crime related offences.”
“I had a fabulous day, a lot of information and learning from the most experienced.”
“An excellent and varied range of speakers, and a great opportunities to connect with UK experts in the field.”
“Really interesting event. It was useful to hear from many speakers from varied backgrounds. Found the online portal easy to access.”
Wellbeing AdvisorUniversity of Sheffield
“Great event”
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title Example | Organisation Examples |
| Teachers | Police |
| Health & Wellbeing Support Worker | Local Government |
| Wellbeing Advisor | Schools |
| Social Worker | Universities |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
