Drugs and Substance Misuse Conference 2025

Previous 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 synthetic opioids like nitazenes, 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.

• Recent data indicates a 7% increase in adults seeking treatment, with 310,863 individuals in contact with drug and alcohol services between April 2023 and March 2024—the highest number since 2009.
• Among youth, there has been a 16% rise in treatment engagement, totaling 14,352 cases, though this remains 41% lower than the peak observed in 2008.
• Approximately 3.8% of individuals aged 16 to 24 reported using ketamine in 2023, a notable increase from previous years.

This conference brings together leading UK-based experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore cutting-edge solutions, including harm reduction initiatives such as Glasgow’s first drug consumption room and advancements in addiction treatment research. By evaluating the UK’s “From Harm to Hope” strategy and examining the socioeconomic factors driving substance misuse, this event aims to foster collaboration and shape a more equitable and effective national response to drug misuse in 2025 and beyond.

Why Attend:

✓ Hear high-level keynotes from leading organisations on the latest advice, trends, and approaches for dealing with substance misuse.

✓ Case studies from specialist’s in substance misuse ad recovery.

✓ Hear crucial information for people working with young people, in particular vape usage.

✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

Agenda

• 9.00am

  Registration

• 10:00am

  Shifting Trends in Substance Use

  • Analyse the rise of synthetic opioids like nitazenes, their potency compared to fentanyl, and the implications for overdose prevention strategies.
  • 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 contributing to higher rates of opioid prescriptions and drug-related deaths in deprived areas.
• 10:30am

   

  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.
• 11:00am

  Q&A Panel

• 11:20am

  Break

• 11:40am

  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.
• 12:10pm

  Addressing Gaps in Substance Misuse Treatment

  • Review the latest national treatment data, identifying trends in service utilisation and substance use patterns among adults and youth.
  • Examine challenges faced by treatment services, including resource constraints and the increasing complexity of cases involving polysubstance use.
  • Discuss strategies for bridging gaps in service delivery, particularly for underserved populations.
• 12:40pm

  Q&A Panel

• 13:00

  Lunch

• 13:30

  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.
• 14:00

  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.
• 14:30

  Q&A Panel

• 14:50

  Break

• 15:10

  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.
• 15:40

  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 marginalized and underserved populations.
  • Evaluate methodologies for monitoring and measuring the success of public health interventions in addressing substance abuse.
• 16:10

  Future Directions in Substance Abuse Research and Policy

  • Examine advancements in addiction treatment research, including novel therapies and interventions.
  • Compare the UK’s drug policies with international models, identifying key lessons and opportunities for reform.
  • Discuss the role of community engagement in shaping effective and sustainable substance abuse policies.
• 16:40

  Q&A Panel

• 17:00

  Closing Remarks

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

Who Should Attend?

Pricing Options

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 Chris Mott today at sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form here and we will contact you.

Benefits of partnering with us include:

• Brand awareness: Be seen by a highly targeted and engaged audience before, during, and after the conference.
• Lead generation: Meet the decision-makers and influencers responsible for making purchasing decisions on cyber security and data protection.
• Thought leadership: Position your organisation and experts as thought leaders and the ‘go to’ experts.
• Networking: Make valuable connections with potential new customers and partners across government and the wider public sector
• Grow your business: Reach decision makers in a single event on just one day and in one location (with no travel/accommodation required), saving you time and money.
• Gain valuable insights: Hear the latest from key stakeholders in government, and across the public and voluntary sectors.

IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.

For more information and discuss your specific objectives, please contact Chris Mott at sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form here