Conference in Dundalk on substance misuse and drug-related intimidation

The Family Addiction Network in collaboration with the National Family Support Steering Group will host a national conference, ‘Trauma in the Community’, on Thursday and Friday, 19th and 20th September 2024, at the Carrickdale Hotel, Carrickcarnan, Dundalk.

Substance misuse and drug-related intimidation have devastating effects on families and communities across Ireland. This conference aims to highlight these impacts, give voice to those affected, and collectively identify workable solutions. The event will unite families, support services, and experts to foster a comprehensive dialogue on trauma-informed care and whole-family recovery.

Keynote Speakers

• Dr. Jane Mulcahy, Research Fellow University of Limerick: Discussing Trauma in relation to Drug-Related Intimidation and Violence
• Mr Vivian Guerin former Director of Probation Services: Author of the Scoping Report into Community Safety and Wellbeing in Drogheda
• Siobhan Maher, Coordinator with the Drug Related Intimidation & Violence Engagement Project: An Interagency Response in Ireland
• Jim O’Dwyer, Development Officer, South East Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force: Experienced in collaboration and co-production for the South East Trauma Informed Care Collective
• Anna Quigley, Coordinator with Citywide Drug Crisis: Exploring the role of community in whole family recovery.
• Escapeline UK: A Charity committed to preventing the criminal and sexual exploitation of young people by criminal gangs across the South West of England
• Ed Sipler, Addiction Treatment and Prevention, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust N.I.: Helping Children with 'Steps To Cope’ intervention

Their insights, along with personal stories from families and presentations on community roles in recovery, will set the stage for transformative discussions.

The conference will be opened by James Leonard from the Two Norries Podcast and chaired by the former Chief Supt. Christy Mangan, author of ‘Cracking the Case: Inside the Mind of a Top Garda’ and will include interactive round table discussions, led by facilitators, that will provide a platform for attendees to share experiences and propose strategies for addressing trauma. 

Pat Byrne, Dundalk FM will facilitate the “Community as a Tool of Change” Panel Discussion with a Q&A Session open to the attendees. Additionally, workshops focusing on self-care and holistic therapies will offer practical tools for personal and communal healing.

The Family Addiction Network says that the conference outcomes aim to inform and influence government policy, emphasising the importance of a coordinated national strategy to support affected families and communities. By coming together, they say, resilient, collaborative approaches to recovery and care can be developed.

They add that as work towards a national strategy for trauma-informed care continues, the insights and solutions generated during this conference will be pivotal, and that Ireland must come together to support families and communities towards recovery building resilient and supportive networks across the nation.