*Subject to change
 
Scotland’s dysfunctional relationship: Alcohol and Violence
Tackling the culture of binge drinking and violent behaviour

08:45   Registration and refreshments
     
09:25   Introduction and welcome by Chair
 Dr Bruce Ritson, Chair, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP)
     
 Session One: Defining the relationship: Alcohol and violence
 With an estimated 1,400 Scots injured in knife attacks in 2007, the ‘booze and blades’ culture has been identified by the Scottish Government as a key priority for Scotland.  Exploring the ‘binge drinking’ culture and what the latest trends reveal, this session will define the relationship between alcohol and violence, where it occurs and whether our society is becoming more violent.  This session will establish the extent and nature of the problem and the Scottish Government’s approach to tackling the key issues.
     
09:30   Opening keynote: Why we must change
 Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice
 Including Q&A
     
09:55   Scotland’s alcohol-related violence: identifying trends
 Dr Alasdair Forsyth, Senior Research Fellow, Glasgow Centre for the Study of Violence
     
10:20   Binge drinking: A National Crisis
 Professor Martin Plant, Professor of Addiction Studies, University of the West of England
     
10:40   Questions and discussion
     
10:55   Refreshments
     
 Session Two: The burden of harm
 With alcohol suggested to be behind 40% of crime, the relationship between alcohol and violence has never been so costly for our communities.  The burden on society of the relationship between alcohol and violence is increasing and impacts on everyone from individual health concerns to public body expenditure.  This session will look at the fiscal, health and cultural damage being done, especially looking at the impact on young people of growing up in violent environments.
     
11:15   Paying the price
 Dr Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland
     
11:40   Victims and perpetrators: growing up in a violence society
Andrew Girvan, Director of Children's Services, NCH Scotland
     
12:00   Questions and discussion
     
12:20   Lunch
     
 Session Three: Challenging the culture
This session will explore ways in which long-established norms can be challenged by getting key messages across to targeted groups.  Research will be presented on the causes of violent behaviour and international examples highlighting what we can and should be doing to change these behavioural patterns.  Speakers will discuss the roots of violent behaviour and the possible links to alcohol, also to be discussed is the role of the media in the public perception of the issues and the impact reportage has.
     
13:15   Alcohol, violence and the media - a vicious circle? 
Lucy Adams, Chief Reporter, The Herald
     
13:35   It’s not inevitable: Young people and Violence
George Hosking, Director, The WAVE Foundation
     
14:00   Questions and Discussion
     
14:20   Refreshments
     
Session Four: Joined-up thinking
Looking at the work of the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), this session will see how the key issues are being taken forward and discuss what should be prioritised for making Scotland’s communities safer.  Experts will discuss how partnership working can held to minimise risk and how recommendations for tacking alcohol misuse and the affiliated violence, can and should, be developed.  Panellist will discuss who is responsible for implementing change and how all stakeholders must work together to seek long-term cultural changes.

     
14:40   A co-ordinated response
Chief Inspector Cameron Cavin, National Anti-Violence Campaign Co-ordinator, Violence Reduction Unit
     
15:00   Panel Debate
Experts representing a range of perspectives within the debate over reducing alcohol-fuelled violence will each make a brief presentation (approx 5 minutes) before a panel debate session involving all speakers.

Solving the problem: Community partnerships

Panel members will include:

• Chief Inspector Cameron Cavin, National Anti-Violence Campaign Co-ordinator, Violence Reduction Unit
• John Drummond, Chief Executive, Scottish Grocers Federation      
• Janet Hood, Head of BII Scotland 
• Bill Harkins, Deputy Chief Constable, Tayside Police and Angus DAAT
• Jack Law, Chief Executive, Alcohol Focus Scotland

15:50   Closing remarks from the Chair
     
15:55   Close

 

Alcohol misuse must be tackled not just through treatment programmes but in intervention measures for vulnerable groups. Experts will discuss effective prevention measures for deprived areas and how the key health risks are conveyed to Scotland’s youth, including licensing and marketing issues. The conference will examine the cost to society and some of the measures that are being taken throughout Scotland to deal with the social fall-out from alcohol abuse and the related crime.

 

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• Is Scotland becoming more violent? If so, why?
• What is the Government’s strategic approach and how can we change the culture?
• What are the fiscal and health costs to Scotland of alcohol misuse and the associated violence?
• Hear from experts on addiction and violence including trends and best practice
• Debate the issues and see how co-operation and inclusive policies are necessary to buck the trends
• How do successful initiatives and community approaches to policing this specific form of violence work and what are they?

This conference offers the opportunity to hear from experts in the field and policy makers, to hear how Scotland's communities can begin to change the culture and extract itself from its dysfunctional relationship with alcohol and violence.

Timed to coincide with Alcohol Awareness Week, which brings together the drinks industry, health professionals and the Scottish Government, the conference will hear the Government's strategy from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill and give delegates the opportunity to enter the debate. 

This conference is for everyone with an interest in alcohol misuse and violent behaviour in Scotland, including but not limited to:

• The Scottish Government especially Education, Communities and Justice Departments
• Alcohol advice and support workers
• Police, especially senior officers and Community officers
• Local authority social workers and community care social workers
• Judges, sheriffs and lawyers
• Brewers and drinks manufacturers
• NHS Board members and staff; NHS Health Scotland Officials
• Licensees and their representatives
• Licensing Board members and staff
• Academics and researchers
• Trade Unions
• Voluntary and charitable groups dealing with alcohol abuse or young people
• Students' Associations 

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Full Rate £249 + VAT (£292.58)
(Commercial organisations, central government departments, agencies and other national public bodies)

Discounted Rate £149 + VAT (£175.08)
(Charitable organisations with income of less that £1,000,000 - limited places)

Reduced Rate £199 + VAT (£233.83)
(Local authorities, NHS, Police, trade unions, professional associations, and charitable organisations)

Supported Rate £99 + VAT (£116.33)
(Students, community councils and community action groups)

What is included
All fees include lunch, refreshments and conference papers if applicable. Fees do not include travel costs.

Promotion and Exhibition Opportunities
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Payment
You will be asked to complete a method of payment option whilst completing the registration form. Delegates must ensure that payment is received before the date of the conference or payment may be required on the day. Payments made by cheque should be made payable to Holyrood Communications Ltd.

Terms and Conditions:

The registration form constitutes a legally binding agreement. Cancellations confirmed in writing 7 days prior to the event will be refunded minus an administration charge of 15%. We regret that no refund can be made after that date, for whatever reason, although substitutions will be accepted if notified in writing before the event. Bookings made less than 7 days prior to an event are non-refundable.

Discount Rate Cancellations
Partial cancellations of discounted multiple bookings that revert to a single place will attract the full rate.

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Notes
Rates are subject to availability for all hotels.
No accommodation is held. Attendees should contact the hotel directly to book.
“Holyrood ‘Alcohol and Violence’ Conference” should be quoted.
Price based on single occupancy of twin or double room, including full Scottish breakfast unless stated otherwise.