Invitation to HOPE 2002 : The 2nd International Conference on Substance Abuse and HIV.

[Guest guest]

Dear eFORUM subscribers,

You will agree that AIDS and Substance Abuse, cannot be seen as problems

faced by any one country alone, and that they require a joint global

approach, especially from committed organisations such as yours.

Drug Abuse Information, Rehabilitation and Research Centre (DAIRRC), is

India's premier institution involved in the fight against Substance Abuse

and AIDS since 1983. Our activities encompass all fields involved in the

Prevention, Identification, Cure, Rehabilitation and Research of Substance

Abuse.

DAIRRC, in association with UNAIDS, United Nations Drug Control Programme,

National AIDS Control Organisation and the Ministry of Health, Government of

India, had hosted Hope 2000, the 1st International Conference on Substance

Abuse and HIV/AIDS, in India at the Taj President Hotel, Mumbai from the 7th

to 9th November 2000.

During the 3 days of the conference, over 200 delegates, including

International experts from Drug Demand Reduction as well as Drug Supply

Reduction, Health and Medicine, Trade and Industry, Helplines and Adjuvant

Therapeutic Groups, Youth and Social Workers' Organisations had attended and

shared their expertise at the conference.

This was the first time that such a distinguished group of international

professionals in these fields had gathered together under one roof in India,

and the forum of discussions that took place, has certainly indicated the

possibility of a more streamlined approach towards Substance Abuse and HIV

Prevention and Control.

To view the messages of dignatories for our last conference kindly visit:

* <http://www.hopeconference.org/Message.html>

* To view the comments of delegates for our last conference kindly

visit:

* <http://www.hopeconference.org/comments.html>

* To view the abstracts of presentations made at our last conference

kindly visit:

* <http://www.hopeconference.org/seven.html>

This endeavour, though extremely noteworthy, is but a mere drop in the

ocean, when one considers the magnitude of the problems of HIV and Substance

Abuse, which you will agree, call for sustained and persistent

interventions.

We firmly believe that intravenous substance abuse is one of the major

factors contributing to the proliferation of the HIV virus, and hence wish

to draw more international attention to this area of research. Besides, the

victims of Substance Abuse are as traumatised and ostracized by society, as

those of AIDS, and hence this appeal to your organisation, who have a better

perspective on the issue.

Towards the aim of emphasizing the magnitude of the problems of Substance

Abuse and HIV, the associated consequences, the simplicity with which it can

be reduced, through increased awareness, and to pinpoint, focus, evaluate,

and disseminate the latest breakthroughs in the field of Demand Reduction

and HIV Prevention, DAIRRC, in association with the Ministry of Health,

Govt. of India, is hosting Hope2002 the 2nd International Conference on

Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Prevention & Control, in India from 1st to 3rd

December 2002, at the Taj Intercontinental Hotel, Mumbai, and solicit your

invaluable support in this endeavour.

International experts from Drug Demand Reduction as well as Drug Supply

Reduction, Health and Medicine, Trade and Industry, Helplines and Adjuvant

Therapeutic Groups, Youth and Social Workers' Organisations will be

convening and sharing their expertise at this conference.

We would be highly obliged if you could make a presentation on the subject of

" HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control " , at the conference, and thus contribute to the

knowledge pool generated at Hope2002, thereby permitting the world to

benefit from your experience and expertise.

In case you are unable to attend the conference in person, we request you to

kindly arrange to depute a senior member of your organisation, alongwith a

delegation of experts (upto a maximum of 4 members), who can represent your

organisation, in your place, and share your views and expertise with the

world.

Besides sharing your expertise, you could also get yourself and your team

better acquainted with the different aspects of Drug Demand/Supply Reduction

and AIDS Prevention, equip yourselves with the latest developments in

techniques and methodologies, and form your independent task force, which

will certainly go a long way towards enhancing the crusade against Substance

Abuse and HIV.

Further, we also request you, to kindly circulate this invitation among

other members of your organisation, if possible through your newsletter.

All delegates including speakers have to pay for their own travel,

registration fees, accomodation etc. We do not offer sponsorships of any

kind.

For more details, you may either visit the Conference Website at:

<http://www.hopeconference.org>

or send an e-mail to:

yusufmerchant@... <mailto:yusufmerchant@...>

with a copy of your correspondence, to

hopeconference@... <mailto:hopeconference@...>

in order to facilitate prompt replies from our end, to all your queries.

Important Dates for Hope 2002:

Deadline for submission of abstracts: 3rd July 2002

We look forward to your participation at the conference.

With love, prayers and warm regards,

Dr.Yusuf Merchant

President: Hope2002

E-mail: yusufmerchant@...>

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