New book by 12 world-leading scientists calls for renewed approach to drug policy

CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTHFeb 17 2010

Join the leaders in the field to hear what's working and what's not around the world in drug policy - and what should be done differently

Drug policy - or really, the way our society controls and provides interventions for both legal and illegal psychoactive substances - is one of those things that seems inherently controversial.

Opinion leaders, politicians and media focus much of our attention on a few high-profile issues, such as supervised injection sites or law-and-order oriented drug laws. But what about legal drugs such as alcohol? What about the recent focus on the rise of prescription medication misuse?

Now a new book by 12 world-leading scientists in substance use, public health and policy research is calling for a renewed approach to drug policy that's evidence-based, realistic and coordinated. Join three of these researchers and other public health experts for a discussion and interview opportunities at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

What: Discussion by world-leading addiction researchers, and policy leaders, of drug policy - what's working, what isn't, and what needs to be done to more effectively deal with problematic psychoactive drug use. When/Where: Monday, February 22, 2010 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) - Russell St Site 33 Russell Street, Toronto - Room 2029 10 am - 12 noon Who: Dr. Thomas Babor - principal author, Drug Policy and the Public Good, Professor, Department of Community Medicine and Health Care, University of Connecticut School of Medicine Dr. Jurgen Rehm, Chair, Addiction Policy, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto and Senior Scientist, CAMH Dr. Benedikt Fischer, Professor and CIHR/PHAC Chair in Applied Public Health, Simon Fraser University Liz Janzen, Director for Healthy Living, Healthy Communities, Toronto Public Health, speaking on implications for Toronto's Drug Strategy Dr. Perry Kendall, Provincial Health Officer, BC, speaking on implications for public health oriented policy