Global Conference on Methamphetamine Speaker & Program Update

Prague, Czech Republic 15th – 16th September 2008

The 1st global conference on methamphetamine has been organized in response to an emerging consensus among experts that methamphetamine use is a complex problem that presents a significant challenge to existing philosophies and strategies. While local and national communities are under siege by a perceived methamphetamine epidemic rush to pursue solutions, many facets of the problem remain to be discovered, examined, debated, illuminated and verified.

It is in this spirit of discovery, discussion, and cooperation that this conference is being convened. As the first event to gather global experts from varied fields, with diverse and even sometimes divergent perspectives, the conference is assured to be an unparalleled event!

Early registration for the 2008 global conference on methamphetamine is now open! Delegates are encouraged to register before June 1st, 2008 to qualify for the reduced pre-conference rate!

For more information, including details on registration, submitting abstracts, hotel and travel, visit: www.globalmethconference.com

Major and Concurrent Session Topics

Regional Updates / Pharmacology / Enforcement Programs / Clandestine Drug Cleanup / The Matrix Model of Treatment / Women and Methamphetamine / Latest Research /Health Consequences / Policy / Prosecution Issues / Trafficking / Toxicology / Innovative Interventions / Replacement Therapies / Prevention and Education / Hepatitis A, B, & C Virus / HIV Risk Behavior / Methamphetamine and Reproductive Health / Treatment / Youth and Use / Patterns of Use / Harm Reduction / innovative Interventions / Use Among MSM / Trafficking / Community-based Coalitions / Injection Drug Use / Epidemiology

Featured Speakers to include:

Dr. Richard Rawson, UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Los Angeles
Dr. Alex Wodak, MD Director, Alcohol and Drug Services Vincent's Hospital, Sydney
Dr. Carl Hart, Professor, Neuroscience Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York
Andreas Plüddemann, Senior Scientist, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Research Unit Medical, Cape Town
Prof. Lin Lu, MD, PhD Director of National Institute of Drugs and Development, Beijing
Dr Apinun Aramrattana, MD, PhD Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Donald Rothenbaum, Senior Vice President, Network Environmental Systems, San Diego
Kasia Malinowska-Sempruch, Director, Open Society's Institute's Global Drug Policy Program, Warsaw
Prof. Evgeny Krupitsky, MD, PhD St. Bekhterev Research Psychoneurological Institute, St. Petersburg
Dr. Tomas Zabransky, MD, PhD Manager Centre for Addictology, Charles University, Prague
Dr. Michael Siever, Director, The Stonewall Project, San Francisco
Caitlin Padgett, Coordinator and Founder of Youth R.I.S.E., Vancouver
Dr. Gady Zabicky, MD Centro Nacional para la Prevención y Control del VIH/SIDA (CENSIDA), Mexico City

Abstract Submission Deadline ENDS April 22nd, 2008

Abstract Submission Deadline ENDS April 22nd, 2008

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Topics and areas to be discussed include

Regional Updates / Pharmacology / Enforcement Programs / Clandestine Drug Cleanup / The Matrix Model of Treatment / Women and Methamphetamine / Latest Research /Health Consequences / Policy / Prosecution Issues / Trafficking / Toxicology / Innovative Interventions / Replacement Therapies / Prevention and Education / Hepatitis A, B, & C Virus / HIV Risk Behavior / Methamphetamine and Reproductive Health / Treatment / Youth and Use / Patterns of Use / Harm Reduction / innovative Interventions / Use Among MSM / Trafficking / Community-based Coalitions / Injection Drug Use / Epidemiology

1) Individual proposals for presentations are welcome.

2) Presentation formats may include

Individual papers
· Reports on research-in-progress

· Round-table discussions

· Topic-centred workshops

· Or a format more appropriate to your own work.

- Please indicate your presentation format in your proposal.
- Please make sure that your proposal identifies the language you wish to present in.

3) Please send a 250-word proposal - along with a short bio - to the email address below.

- Your abstract should not contain more than 250 words
- No abstract will be accepted without a short bio.

Please send your abstract to abstracts@globalmethconference.com

The Deadline for abstract submissions is April 22, 2008
Speakers will be notified by May 2nd, 2008

On Submitting An Abstract

The 1st Global Conference on Methamphetamine will feature a range of plenary presentations, symposium sessions, panel discussions and social events. Topics and areas to be discussed include:

• Pharmacology /
• Research /
• Trafficking /
• Treatment /
• Policy /
• Mental Health /
• Global Markets /
• HIV /
• Hepatitis /
• Community Education /
• Women /
• Production /
• Epidemiology /
• Law Enforcement /
• Demand Reduction /
• Harm Reduction /
• Public Health /
• MSM /
• Sexual Risk /
• Environmental Issues /
• Commerce /
• Rapid Assessment /
• Youth /
• Replacement Therapy /
• Injection Drug Use /
• Prescribed Usage /
• Eastern Europe /
• Central Asia /
• Asia /
• Caribbean /
• Latin America /
• Oceania /
• North America /
• Western & Central Europe /
• Sub-Saharan Africa /

A preliminary programme will be posted here soon. Check back regularly for updated lists of speakers and other programme information.

Abstract submissions

Individual proposals for presentations to the 1st Global Conference on Methamphetamine: Science, Strategy, and Response are welcome.

Presentation formats may include individual papers, reports on research-in-progress, round-table discussions, topic-centred workshops, or a format more appropriate to your own work. Please indicate your presentation format in your proposal, and please make sure that your proposal identifies the languge you wish to present in.

Please send a 250-word proposal - along with a short bio - to the address below. Your abstract should not contain more than 250 words. No abstract will be accepted without a short bio.

Please send your abstract to abstracts@globalmethconference.com or fax to +44 (0) 208 994 1533.

Deadline for submissions is 22 April 2008. Speakers will be notified by 2 May 2008

Conference Venue

The conference will be held in the the beautiful New City Hall building, located in Mariánské Square. The Art Nouveau-style building is the seat of the Prague Municipal Authority and the highest body of the municipal legislature - the Prague City Assembly headed by the Mayor and the City Council.

1st Global Conference on Methamphetamine: Science, Strategy, and Response

Prague, September 15 – 16, 2008

Register for the 2008 Global Conference on Methamphetamine

The conference has been organized in response to an emerging consensus among experts that methamphetamine use is a complex problem that presents a significant challenge to existing philosophies and strategies. While local and national communities are under siege by a perceived methamphetamine epidemic rush to pursue solutions, many facets of the problem remain to be discovered, examined, debated, illuminated and verified.

It is in this spirit of discovery, discussion, and cooperation that we are convening this summit. As the first event to gather global experts from varied fields, with diverse and even sometimes divergent perspectives, the conference is assured to be an unparalleled event.

It is commonly agreed that methamphetamine is a dangerous drug whose use has negative consequences on both individuals and communities, and presents a substantial challenge to policymakers, law enforcement, and social service providers. It is important that our public resources be directed to deal with the problem on a number of fronts, including areas of research, prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and law enforcement.

However, emerging strategies must be carefully and thoughtfully developed and carried out in response to the actual needs of affected populations, based on evidence-based research rather than on hyperbole, the distortion of data, media-driven misperceptions, and the mischaracterization of the dangers of methamphetamine and its users. Reality based prevention and treatment, which have been shown not only to be possible, but to be effective, are vital components of any strategy to reduce the harms associated with methamphetamine use.

It is the hope and expectation of the conference organizers that a wide-ranging, scientifically rigorous, and creative conversation among diverse experts at the 2008 Global Methamphetamine Conference will create an energy and flow of ideas that will propel efforts to find practical responses to methamphetamine use issues.

Thank you for your interest in the 2008 Global Conference on Methamphetamine: Science, Strategy, and Response. It is a unique opportunity for those of us committed to dealing with these important issues to share a common platform and to unite in a conviction shared by all of us, no matter what our perspective or approach: that the cost of inaction is too high to bear. I hope to see you in Prague on September 15th and 16th of 2008.

Sincerely,

Luciano Colonna
Executive Program Committee Chair
2008 Global Conference on Methamphetamine: Science, Strategy, and Response