WELCOME MESSAGE

Dear Colleagues,

It is an honour and a pleasure to invite you to THE FIRST WORLD CONFERENCE ON MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT OF OPIATE ADDICTION with “INAUGURAL MEETING – WORLD FEDERATION FOR THE ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OPIOID DEPENDENCE”, which will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from July 1- 3, 2007 with preconference workshops on June 30, 2007.

The conference’s organisers are European Opiate Addiction Treatment Association (EUROPAD), American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependance (AATOD) and South Eastern European Adriatic Addiction Treatment Network (SEEA net).

We greatly appreciate the honour to organise a three-day interdisciplinary conference with the presentation of practice, drug policy research and evaluation, in the field of medical assisted treatment of opiate addiction (substitution treatment).  The Inaugural Meeting of the World Federation of the Associations for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence would be the opportunity to get a partner to other international organisations in dialog for advocating for substitution treatment and a forum for scientific and policy discussion. Every international, national, city and community organisation or individual working in this field is welcome to join federation, so please give us a hand.

We are delighted that so many distinguished world experts, clinicians, researchers and other professionals, members of users’ organisations, and others involved in the field have already agreed to attend. We will create every opportunity for a lively debate, from plenary and major meetings to small-scale workshops, and from debating sessions to round tables and forum discussions, so we really count on your participation and would be delighted to hear from you - your thoughts, comments, questions, and suggestions, which will be given proper consideration.

You are invited to present different practices: in your country, city, communities, prisons and/or organisations, networks or at your own. You can present your research, good practices or obstacles in developing and scaling up substitution treatment.

Slovenia's location between Europe's East and West and its diversity - a touch of the Mediterranean, the Alpine peaks and valleys with clear streams and lush forests, the Pannonian plain opening to the East - as well as its cultural heritage and the proverbial hospitality of the people, can likewise contribute appreciably to a successful acceptance and exchange of different views, and perhaps even to opening new horizons.

We know we can make this event a most useful, enjoyable, and memorable experience for you.

With best wishes and regards,

Andrej Kastelic, President of the Conference and SEEA net

Icro Maremanni, President of EUROPAD

Mark Parrino, President of AATOD