The Addictions Forum

Abstract

Readers of this journal may, from time to time, have seen or received blue and white fliers, posters and other materials providing details of events arranged by the Addictions Forum. What is the Forum and how did it come about? In 1991 a group mainly consisting of researchers, clinicians, drug and alcohol agency workers and others met in York to discuss the idea of creating an organization which would be led by the membership and provide what that group of people wanted. The objectives were quickly agreed, but it took a long time to agree upon a tide for this proposed entity. In the end the name ‘The Addictions Forum’ was adopted. Some of the founders of the Forum disliked the term ‘addiction’, but it was acknowledged that most people have a fairly clear view of what this term implies. The Forum was launched in 1991 under the guidance of a non-elected steering group of 23 people. The first meetings were held in that year, in London and Edinburgh and the first annual residential event in Durham was arranged to take place in September 1992. The initial aims of the Addictions Forum were twofold: firstly, to organize national and regional conferences, seminars and other events. These would relate to research, counselling, training, clinical, service, economics, organizational policy and other issues related to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit and prescribed drugs. Secondly, to organize an annual national summer school. The Addictions Forum steering group recruited members, and a committee was elected by postal ballot during 1992. Charitable status was rapidly granted to the Forum and its formal aims were as follows.