Children & Families Practice Exchange Reduce Harm: Substance Use & Misuse

Children and Families Practice Exchange (South Wales) "Promoting the UNCRC Across Wales" When: Thursday, 18 July; 9.45am - 1.00pm  Where: Lancaiach Fawr Manor, Gelligaer Road, Nelson, Treharris  CF46 6ER Miaow Miaow - it ain't no Pussy Cat! Working Together To Reduce Harm  from Substance Use and Misuse Mephedrone or 'Miaow Miaow' as it is commonly known is becoming easily available in many areas of Wales with related recorded offences increasing by 83% in 2011/12.  Young people and school children are a particular high-risk group as they appear to be more likely to take unknown drugs and more greatly influenced by peer pressure. This event will bring together agencies that are currently working in the field to combat substance misuse with the aim of informing practitioners of the current information and trends surrounding substance use and misuse and to share practice in supporting young people that they work with. Inspector Alex Chadd, All Wales Police Forces Substance Misuse Coordinator Inspector Alex Chadd is a South Wales Police Officer currently seconded to the Welsh Government's Department for Health and Social Services working in the Substance Misuse Department.  His work across Wales in the field of  New and Emerging Drugs involves liaison between  the four Police Forces and Operation Tarian.  His presentation will give an overview of the use of the drug Mephedrone with insights into Police enforcement activity and an overview of the local drug scene  and trends in substance misuse. Film Project - Jeff O'Reilly, Education Consultant Jeff is a former deputy head of Tredegar Comprehensive School in Blaenau Gwent. Jeff will be sharing his experiences over the last 30 years of working in the field of education in relation to substance misuse. More recently, Jeff has undertaken a piece of research throughout Blaenau Gwent with groups of 15/16 year olds. The stark and informative findings will be shared at the event where Jeff will explain how the journey from research to film project is progressing. Questions and discussions to follow. All Wales School Liaison Core Programme (AWSLCP) The Programme is funded by the Welsh Government and focuses on three main themes namely drugs and substance misuse, social behaviour and community and personal safety. The Programme is delivered by trained School Community Police Officers across Wales who provide supportive education by working in partnership with PSE teachers in schools. Currently the AWSLCP is delivered in all 4 Secondary and the 26 Primary schools in Blaenau Gwent by 2 School Community Police Officers. An officer from the programme will run a workshop that will focus in part on substance misuse recognition and also explore approaches to substance use and misuse education. CRI, Lisa Tibbs, Drug and Alcohol Youth Support Recovery Worker Lisa will inform attendee's about the support CRI DAYS offers for young people in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent around substance misuse, information on making referrals and how they are processed, training/information for other professionals and multi agency partnership working. Tea & Coffee provided - Please come along to share, learn and network! Who Should Attend Anyone with an interest in, and commitment to, promoting the rights of children in Wales and the need to gain knowledge on this topic with the aim of supporting young people they work with.  It will be of special interest to those working directly with children and young people. How Much Does it Cost & How to Book Attendance is FREE OF CHARGE, however, please book early as places are limited. To book a place please contact Children in Wales, 25 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BZ Email: bookings@childreninwales.org.uk Tel: 029 2034 2434