Belfast hosts international conference on drug-related harm reduction

A four-day International Conference on the Reduction of Drug-Related Harm is being held in Belfast's Waterfront Hall, today.

Around 1,000 delegates from all over the world are expected to attend the 'Widening the Agenda' conference, which is being organised by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS). This is the first time the conference, which is in its 16th year, is being held in Belfast.

Speaking at the conference, Ms Smith said: "This conference is about harm reduction in relation to drug use, and we cannot deny the real harm that drug use does within all societies.

“The monetary costs of drug use can easily be calculated, but the costs to individuals, families and communities in terms of health, employment, housing, distress and displacement are often incalculable.”

The Conference is expected to focus on good practice and discuss issues of worldwide interest, but will also look at issues of special interest to those working in Northern Ireland. For this reason there are a number of sessions looking at the particular issue of reducing alcohol-related harm.

Speakers will be in attendance from all over the world including Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, China, India, Africa and South America, as well as a number of speakers from Ireland - North and South.

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