Fundraising

SEMINAR - DRUGS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Local solicitors Watson Esam and local charity Kickstart Community Programmes Ltd recently have joined forces to give a seminar to over 65 solicitors, court workers, social workers, court guardians, barristers, local authority representatives, senior GPs and police and probation officers, on Drugs in the 21st Century.

The 90 minute seminar took place on Thursday 20th November 2008 in the training room at Kickstart’s city centre office, and covered everything to do with drugs; the range of substances available, classifications, methods of use, signs and symptoms, treatment, retention times, testing and reactions with other drugs. 

In most major cities, Sheffield included, substance misuse is on the increase.  Ranging from alcohol use to the use of street drugs, it is an issue which impacts upon more families than people often imagine.  The purpose of this event is education.  This will lead to a greater understanding of the issues and therefore enable those dealing with the individuals with addictions and substance misuse issues to respond more effectively.

Watson Esam’s child care solicitor, Paul Szabo, has worked with Kickstart in the past, using their drug testing service for his clients, and was keen to develop the relationship further by inviting Christine Tooze, Chief Executive of Kickstart Community Programmes Ltd and local GP, Dr Roger Smith to present their knowledge on the subject to this audience.

Paul Szabo said, “Watson Esam is proud to continue with its community based approach to representation of the members of the Sheffield community and is thrilled to be working alongside such a well established organisation as Kickstart which has successfully worked with so many people in the Sheffield area. It is hoped that by working together and taking steps to actively educate the professionals who are on the front line of working with families; we can help to safeguard children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in a vulnerable position”.

Christine Tooze, responded by saying “We were delighted to be invited to speak to such a well respected group of people.  The presentation was successful in educating, informing and changing their perceptions of current drug use and encouraged lots of feedback in the Q&A session.  At Kickstart, we work hard to maintain the highest quality of service for the clients and by taking an active role in events such as this, we hope to strengthen the Kickstart name as well as give the delegates some valuable information.”