AMPHETAMINES, ECSTASY, MEPHEDRONE AND RELATED DRUGS: WHAT DO WE KNOW AND HOW ARE TRENDS CHANGING INTERNATIONALLY 

The use of ‘club drugs’ such as MDMA, amphetamines (crystal meth, speed, etc) ketamine and GHB continues to attract media attention in Western countries across the world, and Australia is no exception to that trend.  When new substances, such as mephedrone (‘meow’), emerge on the scene, those working with young people often find it difficult to access good quality information that they are able to distribute to current or potential users.

Like members of the general public, many health workers and policymakers, access information on club drugs from inappropriate sources such as their colleagues or the media and as a result there is a great deal of mythology around drugs and their use. Scientific papers are often simplified down to sensational headlines and as a result complex issues are presented as being ‘black and white’ when in reality they are more ‘shades of grey’. This presentation will examine international trends in the use of amphetamines, ecstasy and related drugs and attempt to sort out the fact from the fiction.

This will be provided by Paul Dillon - Drug and Alcohol Research Training Australia (DARTA). Paul Dillon has provided  training for Simpson House before and has been working in the area of drug education for the past 25 years. Through his own business, Drug and Alcohol Research Training Australia he has been contracted by many organisations to give regular updates on current drug trends.

Date: 2nd June 2010

Venue: Simpson House

Cost: £99

Lunch and Certificate of Attendance included

Tutor: Paul Dillon

Paul Dillon Tutor

Application Forms found here.

Simpson House 

52 Queen Street 

Edinburgh 

EH2 3NS 

Charity No: SC011353