Seminar to tackle drugs problem

The impact of changes in the legislation relating to the classification of drugs will provide the focal point of a major international seminar being hosted by Belfast City Council later this week.

The day, which will have the theme, ‘Is The Government Sending Out The Wrong Message About Drugs?’, will include an open information session during which representatives from more than 30 agencies working to tackle the drugs problem in Belfast will be offering advice on substance abuse issues.

Keynote speaker at the event on Thursday will be Keith Hellawell, the former United Kingdom ‘drugs tsar’, who resigned his position in June 2002 in protest at the government’s stance on changes in drugs legislation.

Mr Hellawell’s keynote address will draw on his own experiences of working in government to provide a unique insight on the current debate about drugs, their legal status and how changes in legislation may impact on the fight against drugs misuse in Belfast.

A number of key-note speakers who work within the drugs field in Belfast also will address the problem as it exists in the city, and highlight the measures needed to tackle the situation properly.

Pupils from a number of schools across the City will be attending the afternoon event, which also is open to members of the public from 1.45pm – 4pm.

More than 300 delegates from local government, drugs organisations, education and health agencies are expected to attend.

(MB)