DUNEDIN SEMINARS WILL FOCUS ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

The prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol-related problems
nationally will be highlighted in Dunedin during a series of public
seminars next week.

The first of four hour-long lunchtime seminars, being held on consecutive
days as part of the Alcohol and Drug Association's national Treatment Works
Week, begins at noon on Monday at the Dunedin Public Library, where local
alcohol and drug service providers will speak.

"Self help awareness to addiction" would be the topic of discussion at that
seminar, Mirror Counselling co-ordinator Debbie Fraser said.

"Speed, ecstasy and other party drugs" would be discussed on Tuesday,
"cannabis dependence and other health issues" was the topic for Wednesday
and "opiate dependence and harm reduction" would be the topic of the final
seminar.

Ms Fraser said the Alcohol and Drug Association, in conjunction with Public
Health South and five Dunedin organisations, had also organised a full-day
seminar on the Friday (June 29), when six workshops would discuss a variety
of drug and alcohol-related programmes to assist young people.

During the week there would be a display at the Meridian mall, art
exhibitions, an open day at Moana House on Thursday and entertainment at
Arc Cafe on Friday evening.