‘Safer Lives – Harm Reduction in a Time of Change’ will continue to build on the themes of our previous events which have highlighted innovation and best practice in the goal to reduce avoidable drug deaths.
We held our first Safer Lives conference in 2022. We brought together speakers from across the health and social care sector to look at the year-on-year increase in drug related deaths and explore strategies that try to reduce them. What became evident throughout the day, as we listened to the discussions people were having and saw the connections that were being made, was that it was equally important to provide people with an opportunity to come together and share their learning.
So, when we returned in 2023, we made this our focus. ‘Safer Lives - Drug Deaths Are All of Our Business’ highlighted the importance of collaboration, of sharing our challenges and our learnings freely.
As we start to think about Safer Lives 2024, in a year that has seen an increased level of risk for the people our services support, harm reduction has never been more important.
At this year’s event, on November the 26th 2024, we hope to highlight examples of innovative ways of working, of strategies for making naloxone more accessible and ways of reaching those individuals who are at greatest risk from the changes in the drug supply.
Drug deaths are still all of our business, but with the emergence of synthetic opioids and other contaminants in the drug supply, our focus this year will be on new ways of working to reduce harm, on providing ‘Harm Reduction in a Time of Change’.
At Safer Lives 2024 we will hear from a range of speakers working in the harm reduction field, including academics, drug & alcohol treatment providers, and people directly impacted by drug use. Throughout the day there will be sessions exploring the need for a different response to the increased risks of a changing drug market.
The day will include examples of innovative practice in reducing overdose deaths, including widening naloxone provision, drug checking and ways to engage with at risk groups. This will be followed by a panel discussion where delegates can ask questions and share learning.
If you would like to attend the 2024 Safer Lives Conference, you can secure a free spot here.