Health and Social Benefits of Gardening

This Hot Topics seminar on the health and social benefits of gardening took place on Wednesday 2nd September 2015. The event was inspired by HMP Rye Hill's organic growing project, launched in May 2013 with Garden Organic, offering therapeutic horticultural intervention to offenders with a history of substance abuse.

Implications of Welfare Reform

The process of welfare reform initiated by the coalition government on taking office in 2010 has had a number of implications for all people in receipt of social security, some of which are yet to be fully felt or understood. This seminar looked at recent developments from a policy perspective, and at likely future developments.

Adam Winstock

Prescription drug misuse kills more people in the USA than heroin. Driven by aggressive marketing by big pharma in the States and some lax prescribing supported by poor regulation, these 'quality' products are one of the biggest emerging drug threats in the UK.

Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs

This Hot Topics seminar examined the emerging threat to public heath from the increasing use of enhancement drugs and the services for users of these drugs both from a worker point of veiw and that of a user.

Drug Policy Seminar with Johann Hari and Steve Rolles

On March 24^th 2015 HIT and Liverpool John Moores University's Centre for Public Health presented a Hot Topics/Research in Focus Seminar looking at drug policy, with Johann Hari and Steve Rolles.

Drugs and the Internet

At this HIT Hot Topics Seminar, Kieran Hamilton discussed online drug user subcultures in relation to both illegal and novel psychoactive substances, the role of the Internet in the changing nature of drug use, and what this might mean for drug users, as well as drug policy, in the future.

Service Provision to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender People

In this Hot Topics seminar Monty and Lyn explored patterns of drug use in their respective areas and suggested tips for how drugs services can best serve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Introduction to Ketamine

This seminar gave participants a grounding in ketamine use and covered the following areas: Ketamine effects and users, management of ketamine casualties, ketamine and chronic health problems (bladders, cramps, dependency) and harm reduction strategies.