Global Methamphetamine Conference 01

This was the official site for the 2008 Global Conference on Methamphetamine held in Prague Czech Republic, September 15th -16th 2008.

PRESS RELEASE

First Global Conference On Methamphetamine To Feature 80 Speakers From 16 Countries

by DGuard, August 20, 2008, 05:01pm

The Global Conference On Methamphetamine today announced the program for the 2008 Global Conference on Methamphetamine. The conference will take place September 15-16, 2008, in Prague, Czech Republic.

The full conference program was available here. The program committee has created an exciting program full of new and cutting-edge topics that is relevant and engaging for the international community. The two-day conference will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. Louisa Degenhardt, of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

 The conference includes two days of presentations, panels and discussions. There will also be methamphetamine laboratory displays and demonstrations.

 

Conference Venue

The conference was held in the the beautiful New City Hall building, located in Mariánské Square. The Art Nouveau-style building is the seat of the Prague Municipal Authority and the highest body of the municipal legislature — the Prague City Assembly headed by the Mayor and the City Council.

I attended this conference while I was writing a dissertation on what the U.N. World Drug Report in 2006 called most abused hard drug on earth, methamphetamine or as it is commonly referred to - meth. At the time America alone had 1.4 million users, with the number rising, while globally, the highest concentration of addicts was in East and Southeast Asia. Jump ahead to 2016, meth is still a major problem. Take for instance where I lived, Baltimore Maryland. This past summer it was reported by CNNN that the water flowing through Baltimore's streams is tainted by meth and speed, according to a new study published in Environmental Science and Technology. Researchers sampled six stream sites, both rural and urban, over three weeks in Baltimore and the results were troubling. My wife was very concerned since we have three young children. I think those reports what finally made her decide to move out of the city. She spent quite a bit of time looking for a developer to help code her new project, a humorous insult haiku website. Presented as an Olympian level match, 2 participants level insults in haiku form. The haiku is then judged based on technical form (5 - 7 - 5 synonyms), level of insult, and the requirement that all 3 lines rhyme Apparently insult haiku is dangerous - they wear helmets and body armor. I'm just hoping she finds the person for this very funny project. When I was offered a professorship at Dartmouth it was the final impetus to leave Maryland altogether and head to New Hampshire. We really didn't escape the meth epidemic that is still sweeping the US. Hanover NH where Dartmouth is located has its own meth issues. However living in the college town of Hanover, away from the urban Baltimore vibe, has made a big difference on the positive scale.


 

Highlights of the Conference:

  • New Methamphetamine Epidemic in ThailandApinun Aramrattana, Research Institute of Health Sciences at Chiang Mai University
  • Methamphetamine Abuse in ChinaLin Lu, Director, National Institute on Drug Dependence at Peking University
  • The Methamphetamine Epidemic in the US: Speed, Crank, Crystal, Ice and Tina and the Public Health ConsequencesRichard Rawson, UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
  • Methamphetamine: Clandestine Laboratory UpdateRobert Pennal, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, California Department of Justice
  • Dramatic Increase in Methamphetamine Related Drug Treatment Admissions in Cape TownAndreas Plüddemann, South African Medical Research Council
  • A Global Overview of Youth Methamphetamine Use: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Headed?Caitlin Padgett, Youth R.I.S.E.
  • Social Aspects of Methamphetamine Injection in RussiaOlga Borodkina, St. Petersburg State University
  • Safety First: Prevention Education For Methamphetamine and Other DrugsMarsha Rosenbaum, Drug Policy Alliance
  • Amphetamine Type Stimulant Injection in the Republic of GeorgiaDavid Otiashvili, Addiction Research Center, Union Alternative Georgia
  • Methamphetamine in the Czech Republic: EU Pervitin Deviance or Laboratory of EU Drug Future?Tomáš Zábranský, Center for Addictology, Charles University in Prague,
  • Speaking to Be Heard: Outreach to Gay Men in San Francisco Who Do MethMichael Siever, The Stonewall Project, SF AIDS Foundation
  • Quite a Lot of Smoke But Very Limited Fire -- The Use of Methamphetamine in the European UnionDanica Klempova1 & Chloe Carpentier, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction

According to estimates by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO): More individuals worldwide now use stimulants than opiates and cocaine combined. Methamphetamine is the most widely used illicit drug in the world except for cannabis. Over 26 million individuals used amphetamine-type stimulants in 2007.

Established trends show methamphetamine use to be widespread in North American, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; while India, Pakistan, Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Western Europe represent emerging markets or areas of perceived risk. Yet the development of appropriate and effective responses to stimulants lags. In most cases, treatment and prevention are inappropriately modeled on opiate and alcohol treatment, ignoring both the physical properties of the drug itself, and the fact that methamphetamine use patterns vary widely, and effective responses must be tailored to the unique needs of regions, cultures, and individual users. A lack of infrastructure, of funding, and of experts trained specifically in methamphetamine response compounds the problem.

As nations struggle to develop appropriate responses to methamphetamine, it is crucial that the most current scientific research, information, and best practices be available to those seeking to implement solutions. The primary goal of the First Global Conference on Methamphetamine is to provide a context for this important work to take place.

FOR MEDIA: The major sessions of the conference are open to reporters. Site visits, photo opportunities and interviews can be arranged. For journalists not traveling to Prague, interviews and briefings with key spokespeople and presenters can be arranged on request.

Sponsors and Partners include: The Czech Republic, Charles University, City of Prague, Network Environmental Systems, Marathon Oil Company, Podane Ruce, Cranstoun Drug Services, Sananim, Institute Scan, and The Thorne Group.

 

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected and inserted anally.

Powder methamphetamine is the hydrochloride salt form, which is strongly hygroscopic. The HCl salt is smokeable. Crystal meth, glass, and ice, refer to methamphetamine grown into crystals. Methamphetamine in visible crystals (rather than powder) is likely to be relatively pure as it is difficult to grow crystals from impure material. Though many people believe that crystal meth is the freebase form of methamphetamine HCl, this is not true. Methamphetamine freebase is oil and is uncommon on the street.

According to the 2007 United Nations World Drug Report, an estimated 25 million individuals used methamphetamine or other amphetamine-type stimulants in 2006.

A knowledge of the formulas and chemicals used to produce methamphetamine is essential to the effort to minimize harm.

An association between drug use, risk behavior (and HIV transmission) does not immediately imply causality.

Methamphetamine abuse is as receptive to treatment as other addictive drugs.

The strength of association and/or nature of harms vary in different contexts.

Regional and global illicit drug reports are often incomplete, based on anecdotal reporting, as well as prevalence estimates.

Prevention and treatment options for methamphetamine users are not as available as heroin or alcohol treatment methods in most of the world.

No pharmacotherapy is available for the management of methamphetamine withdrawal.

At present there are no specific pharmacological treatments available for treating methamphetamine overdose.

Formulas or recipes for its production are widely available.

Methamphetamine production is a relatively simple process, especially when compared to many other recreational drugs.

Effects can include increased energy and alertness, decreased need for sleep, euphoria and increased sexuality.

'The duration and severity of a typical withdrawal syndrome for methamphetamine remain unclear' (Jenner & Saunders, 2004)... although there is some evidence to suggest that... 'the majority of symptoms will resolve within a week of ceasing methamphetamine use, with sleep and appetite related symptoms persisting for a further 1 to 2 weeks.' (McGregor et al., 2005)

'The largest areas of methamphetamine production are South East Asia, including Myanmar, China and the Philippines, and in North America. Australia and New Zealand continue to produce significant amounts of methamphetamine. It is believed that large-scale production will soon start in areas of Central America and Africa.' (United Nations World Drug Report 2007)

'Among EU Member States, use of methamphetamine appears to be relatively high in only a few countries, namely the Czech Republic, Estonia and the United Kingdom' (11th annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2006)

'Most of the Czech production of methamphetamine is destined for the local market, although some is smuggled to Germany, Austria and Slovakia.' (11th annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2006)

'700 million Ya Ba pills are thought to be shipped annually into Thailand from Myanmar. This is about 20 tons of methamphetamine or 7.5% of global production'. (Martin Jelsma, Trouble in the Triangle. Opium and Conflict
in Burma, Silkworm Books, Chang Mai, Thailand, July 2005
)

 

 

Travel & hotel

Accommodations

As a popular tourist city, Prague has a large number of hotels and other accommodations to suit most budgets. However, as with all major cities, the key is to book quickly in order to secure the best value and most conveniently located rooms. All accommodations are convenient to the conference venue, Prague City Hall.

We have arranged special conference room rates for our delegates and partners. All accommodations and special rates are available through Experience-Prague, our destination management company. The following hotels are available, so don't miss the special conference room rates:

Five star hotels:

Hotel Intercontinental / special conference room rate

Le Palais / special conference room rate

Corinthia Towers Hotel / special conference room rate

 

Four star hotels:

Grand Hotel Prague / special conference room rate

Hotel Angelo / special conference room rate

Hotel Majestic Plaza / special conference room rate

 

Three star hotels:

Hotel Tchaikovsky / special conference room rate

The Three Drums / special conference room rate

Hotel Antik / special conference room rate

 

If you cannot get the availability you require from any of these hotels, please contact Andrea Backova at Experience-Prague, Email: andrea.b@experience-prague.com and we shall be happy to check other options and availabilities for you.

 

Tours

 

experience-prague, a world-class destination management company, has arranged several interesting tours of this captivating area.
 

Brief overview of Prague and the Czech Republic

Prague's magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, has been mirrored in the surface of the swan-filled Vltava River for more than ten centuries. Undamaged by World War II, Prague's compact medieval centre remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires all in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle that looks eastward as the sun sets behind her.

Prague is also a modern and vibrant city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and special events catering to the independent traveller's thirst for adventure. Regarded by many as one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities, Prague has become the most popular travel destination in Central Europe.

Part of Czechoslovakia until the ’velvet revolution’ in January 1993, the Czech Republic has a rich cultural heritage represented by classical composers such as Dvorak and Smetana and writers like Kafka. Today, tourists come from all over the world to experience a unique culture that is Czech. In particular Prague, the Republic’s biggest and most important town, boasts an unrivalled range of architectural styles which include some of the finest Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist buildings in the world. In 1992 the historical core was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

An era ended in February 2003 when Vaclav Havel’s term as president came to an end. The dissident playwright had spearheaded the velvet revolution in 1989 and was the first president of post-Communist Czechoslovakia. His presidency was interrupted for only a few months at the time of the separation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Mr. Havel saw the ghosts of former Soviet military influence exorcized in 1999 when the republic was granted full membership of NATO. He left office having led the Czech Republic into the EU.

Vaclav Klaus succeeded Vaclav Havel as the President in February 2003. On May 1, 2004, the country became a full member of the European Union.

Demographics of the Czech Republic:
Total area: 78,865 sq. kilometres
Population: 10,3 million
Capital: Prague
Neighbouring country’s: Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland
Average height above the sea level: 450 metres (European average is 315 m), the highest mountain is Mount Snezka 1,602m.
The longest rivers: Labe 1,165 km (415 km in the country), Vltava 433 km.
Official language: Czech
Other language: English, German
Religions: Roman Catholic (39,2%), Protestants (4,1%), Atheist and non-believers (39,7%), Others (17%)
Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 79 years (women) (UN)
Currency: Czech Crown (CZK) — 1 koruna = 100 Hellers
Main exports: Manufactured goods, machinery, cars, transport equipment, Bohemia crystal and beer

Demographics of Prague:
Area: 496 sqkm
Population: 1,184,075 (2006)
Geographical situation: north latitude 50' 05’, east longitude 14' 27’, height above sea level 235 m (average)
Time: Central European (GMT+1), summer time - Central European +1 (GMT+2)
Climate: average temperature 9,0 C
Summer season: July 19,0 C
Winter season: January -0,9 C
The Vltava river flows through the city in the length of 30 km, its maximum width being 330 m
Parts of the historical centre: Hradcany (Castle), Mala Strana (Lesser Town), Stare Mesto (Old Town including Josefov-Jewish part, Nove Mesto (New Town) and Vysehrad
Voltage: 230 V

 

Visas

 

Many delegates will require a visa to enter the Czech Republic. If you require a visa, please apply as soon as possible as this can take a number of weeks to be processed. It is each delegate's own responsibility to ensure that this is done.

 

Letters of invitation

 

The Conference will be pleased to send an official letter of invitation to any delegate making such a request. It is understood that such an invitation is intended to help potential attendees obtain travel funds or a visa. The letter does not constitute any financial commitment on the part of the Conference.

 

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