Past Conferences
- GETTING A GRIP 2010
Building a Social Response
- GETTING A GRIP 2009
Reducing Drug and Alcohol Related Harm
GETTING A GRIP 2008
Addiction Proofing our Communities
- GETTING A GRIP 2007
Winning or Losing? - GETTING A GRIP 2006
Questions and Answers - GETTING A GRIP 2005
Counting the Cost - GETTING A GRIP 2004
Speaker Presentations
2009
- Alcohol-related Harm on Ireland's roads
- GAA A.S.A.P Programme
- Can the Economic Crisis of today become an opportunity for Ireland to change its chronic attitude towards alcohol?
- Coming Together / Growing Together
2008
Denis Bradley
Dr Des Corrigan
Dr Tony Humphereys
Sr. Consillio
Minister of State John Curran
Prof. Stanton Peele
Upcoming Conference
GETTING A GRIP 2011
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THURSDAY 6TH OCTOBER – EVENING
(OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC)
REGISTRATION FROM 6pm
SESSION STARTS AT 7pm AND ENDS AT 9.30pm.
TEA AND COFFEE AVAILABLE AT REGISTRATION
URSULA KILKELLY (BA, LLM, PhD)
Ursula joined the Law Faculty in 1999 and was made Senior Lecturer in 2004. She has lectured and published widely on children's rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and juvenile justice. She is the Director of the new Child Law Clinic, which enables lawyers and students to work together on child law litigation and is also the Director of the BCL International Programme and the LLM in Criminal Justice. Ursula is currently chairperson of the University Research Ethics Board and member of the steering group of the ISS21 Child and Young Person Research Cluster.
Ursula will be presenting a submission paper around our conference theme. Following Ursula’s presentation, delegates will be invited to join one of two workshops:
WORKSHOP ONE – ‘SUBSTANCE MISUSE- A HEALTH ISSUE’
Workshop Facilitator PEADAR KING
Peadar King is the Chairperson of the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force. He is author of The Politics of Drugs from production to consumption (The Liffey Press, 2003) and has produced a number of reports on drug and alcohol misuse issues.
WORKSHOP TWO – ‘SUBSTANCE MISUSE - A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUE’
Workshop Facilitator Dr. SHARON LAMBERT
Dr Sharon Lambert holds an honours degree in Applied Psychology from University College Cork (UCC), and a PhD in the field of Forensic Psychology. Sharon has a number of research interests in the areas of Investigative & Forensic Psychology including Sex Offending, Juvenile Offending and Investigative Interviewing. Sharon regularly presents at psychology conferences and has delivered training seminars in Forensic Psychology to the Metropolitan Police in the U.K. the Irish Probation Service and An Garda Síochána. She regularly lectures in UCC, An Garda Síochána and Griffith College. Sharon is the manager of Matt Talbot Services drug and alcohol day treatment service for young people. Following the Workshops, Delegates will be invited to reassemble in the conference centre for further discussion and debate with our Panel. The accumulated information from the Thursday evening will be considered by the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force and used to produce a position paper after the conference.
MÁIRÉAD O' SULLIVAN – KERRY JIGSAW
Máiréad O’ Sullivan is co-ordinator of Jigsaw Kerry, a post that she has occupied since January 2010. Jigsaw Kerry operate under the umbrella of ‘Headstrong’, the National body for Youth Mental Health, It is a non profit, Non Government Organisation set up by Dr. Tony Bates and has developed the Jigsaw Model. Young people directly participate in Jigsaw as members of the Youth Advisory Panel.
As a follow up to her presentation at the 2010 GETTING A GRIP conference, Máiréad will be presenting the results of the Kerry Jigsaw ‘My World’ survey held across 5 pilot secondary schools in Kerry involving 1200 young people regarding their lives and what impacts upon them.
Following our Thursday speakers, The Southern Regional Drugs Task Force Annual Report for 2010 will be launched by Chris black Co-ordinator of the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force.
FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER (DELEGATES ONLY)
REGISTRATION FROM 8.30am ONWARDS – TEA/COFFEE AVAILABLE AT REGISTRATION
WELCOME ADDRESS FROM CLLR. SEAN COUNIHAN - MAYOR OF KILLARNEY AT 9.10am
OFFICIAL OPENING AT 9.20AM
CONFERENCE COMMENCES AT 9.30AM - LUNCH INCLUDED.
CONFERENCE BUSINESS CONCLUDES AT 5.30pm
CONFERENCE DINNER AT 8.30pm
JÖRGEN SVIDÉN
Jörgen is the Director of ECAD (European Cities Against Drugs) ECAD is Europe’s leading organization promoting a drug free Europe and representing millions of European citizens. Drug dealing and drug abuse causes enormous problems in Europe. Nations and their citizens are affected by the consequence of drug abuse. ECAD member cities work to develop initiatives and efforts against drug abuse, supporting the United Nations Conventions which oppose legalisation and promote policies to eradicate drug abuse worldwide.
DEIRDRE BOYD
Deirdre Boyd is CEO of the Addiction Recovery Foundation, cofounder/organiser of the UK/European Symposia on Addictive Disorders and cofounder of the Unity Group. She is editor of Addiction Today and author of Addictions: Your Questions Answered, printed in seven languages, as well as mental-health charity Mind's booklet Understanding Addictions/ Dependencies. She was a trustee of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics and is a member of the Centre for Policy Studies' Prisons and Addictions unit. In 2006, ICAA awarded her the Dr Vincent Bakeman memorial award for Outstanding Community Service.
Cllr. MANNIX FLYNN
Mannix Flynn, is an Independent Dublin City Councillor a writer, artist and performer, born in Dublin. His published works include ‘Nothing to Say’ and James X. He has worked in film, theatre and Television. He has written extensively for various newspapers, magazines and periodicals and is a well-known contemporary commentator and artist and is also a member of Aosdána. He has extensive experience in the campaign to highlight the issues relating to residential institutional abuse and clerical sexual abuse. As an artist and politician Mannix has been involved in issues of equality, fairness, transparency and governance. He is a strong believer in education for all with a strong emphasis on awareness of the destructive nature of addiction.
Dr. PAUL O’MAHONY
Paul O'Mahony is a criminologist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin. He has written extensively on the issues of drugs, crime, treatment, prison and rehabilitation with books including ‘Prison policy in Ireland - criminal justice versus social justice’, ‘Criminal Justice in Ireland’ and ‘The Irish War on Drugs, the Seductive Folly of Prohibition’. Paul has also worked in the Irish penal system and for the Department of Justice.
Dr. JOE BARRY
Dr. Joe Barry MSc, MD, FRCPI, FFPHM is Professor of Population Health Medicine and Head of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care in Trinity College and is also a Board member of Alcohol Action Ireland. He joined the Department of Public Health as a Senior Lecturer in 1997. Joe graduated as a doctor from University College Cork in 1979. He did internal medicine training in the United Kingdom and public health training in Ireland and the United Kingdom. He completed his MSc in the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and his MD in Trinity College. He is fluent in Irish and English.
FR. SEAN CASSIN
Fr. Sean Cassin is a Franciscan Friar who has extensive experience in dealing with drug problems for individual drug users and their families. Having trained as an addiction councillor, he founded Merchants Quay Ireland in Dublin’s South Inner City in 1989. He represented Voluntary Drug Services on the National Drug Strategy team from 1997 – 2009. Sean played a lead role in the development of the National Voluntary Drug & Alcohol Sector, and has also been Chair of the Drug Policy Action Group. www.drugpolicy.ie.
Previous Conferences
2010
Theme:
GETTING A GRIP 2010 BUILDING A SOCIAL RESPONSE’
Venue:
Europe Hotel and Resort, Fossa, Killarney
Conference opened by:
Speakers in order of presentation:
For Speaker Presentations please click here
2009
Theme:
GETTING A GRIP 2009 ‘Reducing Drug and Alcohol Related Harm’
Venue:
The Malton Hotel, Killarney
Conference opened by:
Speakers in order of presentation:
For Speaker Presentations please click here
2008
Theme:
GETTING A GRIP 2008 ‘Addiction Proofing our Communities’
We explored current approaches and policies to alcohol and drug misuse both home and internationally, and also the devastating effect of such misuse on families, communities and marginalised groups.
Venue:
The Malton Hotel, Killarney
Conference opened by:
Speakers in order of presentation:
For Speaker Presentations please click here
2007
Theme:
GETTING A GRIP 2007 ‘Winning or Losing?’
We explored current approaches and policies to alcohol and drug misuse both home and internationally, and also the devastating effect of such misuse on families, communities and marginalised groups.
Venue:
The Malton Hotel, Killarney
Conference opened by:
Minister of State Pat Carey TD.
Speakers in order of presentation:
Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy – ‘Listening to Voices from the Margins’
Prof. Thomas Babor PhD., M.P.H. – ‘Drugs Policy – an International Perspective’
Barbara Best-McNarry – ‘Our George’
Prof. Robin G. Room – ‘The Role of Alcohol in the Global burden of Disease’
Dr. Ann Hope N.S.C. Ph.D – ‘Dying for a drink: Tackling alcohol and drugs in Ireland’
Cllr. Jim Corr – ‘ECAD – The Goal of a Drug Free Europe’
2006
Theme:
GETTING A GRIP 2006 ‘Questions and Answers.’
We invited Political Party Spokespersons to outline the position of their party in relation to drug and alcohol misuse against the backdrop of a recent report by Dr. Timothy Jackson and the personal experience of singer Frances Black.
Venue:
The Brehon Hotel, Killarney
Conference opened by:
Mr. Kevin Davis – Chairperson of the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force.
Speakers in order of presentation:
Dr. Tomothy Jackson B.A., M.B., DCH, DPH, EEPHMI – ‘Public Health Aspects of Substance Use’
Ms. Frances Black
Sean Argagh TD (Fianna Fail)
Jimmy Deenihan TD (Fine Gael)
Kathleen Lynch TD (Labour)
Minister Tim O’Malley TD (Progressive Democrats)
Martin Ferris TD (Sinn Féin)
Dan Boyle TD (Green Party)
Jerry Cowley TD (Independent)
2005
Theme:
GETTING A GRIP 2005 ‘Counting the Cost.’
We explored the cost of substance and alcohol misuse to the country, communities, families and individuals both in financial and personal terms.
Venue:
Hotel Europe, Killarney
Conference opened by:
Minister John O’Donoghue TD
Speakers in order of presentation:
Senator Maurice Cummins - ‘Community Policing and the implications for Local Authorities and the Public Service.’
Ms. Philomena Lynott ‘My Boy.’
Mr. Seamus Whitty (Kerry Life Education) – ‘Life education a preventative response’
Dr. Joe Barry – ‘The National Drug Strategy and the Task Force on Alcohol.’
Mr. Paul Williams - ‘Can the Battle against Drug Misuse be won? The Impact of Organised Crime on Drug Use in Ireland.’
Dr. Niall McElwee - ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town – A study of heroin misuse in Athlone and Portlaoise.’
Mr. Tony Hickey – ‘The Impact of drugs on Crime’
2004
Theme:
GETTING A GRIP 2004
Venue:
The Brehon Hotel, Killarney
Conference opened by:
Mr. Martin Riordan, County Manager, Kerry Co. Council
Speakers in order of presentation:
Dr. Mick Loftus – ‘A Lifetime of Experience as G.P., Coroner and GAA Representative.’
Mr. Willie Collins – ‘Regional Drugs Task Forces’
Dr. Declan Bedford – ‘The Effect on Local Authorities and the Public Service of Recent Legislation and Policy Changes.’
Mr. Mike O’Donoghue (Chair - Kerry Life Education) – ‘A Partnership Approach to Substance Abuse Awareness and Health Education.’
Mr. Eddie Keher – ‘The No Name Club as an Alternative to Ireland’s Pub Culture.’
Mr. Brian Crowley MEP – ‘A European Perspective on the Drug and Alcohol Issue’
Dr. Chris Luke – ‘Night Club Medicine and a Partnership Approach to Safer Clubbing’
Det. Sup. Barry O’Brien – ‘The Drug Issue in Ireland 2004 – Where Are We Now.’