Free Public Lecture On Teenage Drug Abuse In Northern Ireland

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 17 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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More teenagers in Northern Ireland are experimenting with illegal drugs at an earlier age than elsewhere in the UK, according to a new study.

Youth experts and psychologists will meet at a free public lecture hosted by the NI Branch of The British Psychological Society in The Wellington Park Hotel, Malone Road, Belfast on Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 7.30pm to discuss the implications of The Youth Development Study undertaken at Queen's University and funded by the Research and Development Office, Health and Personal Social Services for Northern Ireland. They will discuss the reasons why teenagers in NI begin experimenting with drugs at such an early age and how government policy and local services can impact on their substance abuse.

The lecture will feature Dr Patrick McCrystal, Institute of Childcare Research, Queen's University Belfast, presentation: 'Starting the Party Early, Teenage Substance Use and Misuse in Northern Ireland.' Patrick will examine youth drug use in the context of NI contemporary society and the implications for prevention initiatives here.

'The presentation aims to provide new insights into the development of evidence based drug education and prevention initiatives for addressing teenage substance use and misuse.'

Mr Gary McMichael, Chair of The Eastern Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination Team, will draw on his experience of 20 years community and voluntary work to offer his view on young people's drug and alcohol use from a service providers perspective . Gary will discuss measures that can be taken help minimise the harm it does to young people and those around them.

The lecture is free to attend and all are welcome.

If you would like to attend or would like further information please contact: Ann Kerr, NI Advisor British Psychological Society, Tel No: 028 90974129 Mobile: 07738 329665 Email: a.kerr@qub.ac.uk

Source
Kathryn McCullagh
British Psychological Society
www.bps.org.uk