Addiction Online Conference 2021 from 21 to 23 July 2021-Call for Abstracts

The ADDICTION 2021 Conference is the biggest centrally coordinated addiction treatment movement on the African continent. The movement is spearheaded by the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA), one of the largest Non-profit organisation dealing with the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders with 30 treatment centres in all 9 provinces. Our partners are the African Union Commission; ITTC; ISSUP Global; ISSUP South African Chapter; CICAD; governmental departments and many more. 

This conference will ignite a movement incorporating the special skills and insights of like-minded people who are passionate about finding socially inclusive, responsive and individualized solutions to tackle addiction.  

Together, with contributions from academics, medical professionals, civil society, policy makers, law enforcement, activists, service users, and the wide array of public and community-based resources, we can march forward and achieve comprehensive solutions for addictive disorders.

The overall aim of the conference is to address stigma and discrimination towards people using substances. Substance use disorders have long been perceived as indicative of personal deficit.  This has resulted in much self- and community-stigmatization for those affected.  Some existing strategies for tackling substance dependence have been remarkably successful in achieving recovery for those affected. 

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Should you wish to be considered as speaker at the conference, please submit your abstract by 19 March 2021 for the Call for abstracts for the upcoming online Addiction 2021 Conference from the 21 to 23 of July 2021. You are welcome to share this with your networks or even submit an abstract yourself and be at the forefront of the largest collaboration to create practical, evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) solutions relevant to the unique African context.

The ADDICTION 2021 Conference – hosted by the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) – will be presented in an online format, allowing for increased exposure and engagement across geographical borders.

The programme for this inaugural event will include presentations, panel discussions, workshops and posters from both scientific and non-scientific contributors:

• doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and other healthcare practitioners
• pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors
• social work specialists
• medical aid and managed care providers
• hospital group owners and administrators
• rehabilitation providers
• academia and researchers
• government officials from the departments of social development, health, education, justice, law enforcement and correctional services
• non-profit organisations, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations

and more.

TRACK 1 – Research into Practice

• Exploration of current and best practice approaches and models in the prevention and management of Substance Use Disorder, including the recovery stage.
• The gap between the evidence-base and what transpires in practice has been addressed through the development of evidence-based practices.
• The recognition of culture as a key consideration in the management of dependence.

TRACK 2 – Capacity Building and Advocacy

• A focus on training, teaching and advocacy activities geared towards demand and harm reduction strategies.
• Inclusive of programmes ranging from informal training, teaching, and mentorship to ongoing undergraduate and postgraduate professional development and teaching and mentorship.

TRACK 3 – Legislation, Policy and Enforcement

• An appraisal of the legislative landscape governing treatment internationally and in South Africa.
• Legislation and policy are key in promoting standardised and ethical practice, facilitating a reduction in discrimination against people who use substances while providing best-practice care.

International partners of the ADDICTION 2021 Conference currently include the African Union Commission (AU), International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) Global, ISSUP African Chapters, Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction (ICUDDR), International Technology Transfer Centre South Africa (ITTC), and the US Department of State (INL). Current South African partners currently include the Departments of Health (DoH) and Social Development (DSD).