2012 Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Conference
09/06/2012
North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, Streetwork and Women With A Vision invite you to attend the Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Conference
Location: Holiday Inn, Atlanta Capitol Conference Ctr, 450 Capitol Ave, Atlanta, GA
Event Dates: The event will take place Thursday September 6th through Saturday September 8th, 2012
Event Times: Thursday 8am-5pm, Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 10am-1pm
Sign up page: http://tinyurl.com/SHRDPC
Event Contact: Robert Childs, 336-543-8050 robert@nchrc.net
Event Price: $55 via Check, $56 via paypal
Scholarships: Scholarships are available to people living in the US South ONLY.
The Housing Scholarships period is over. We have conference fee waiver scholarships available through August 31st, 2012. Please fill out the registration form and the following form to apply for a scholarship: http://tinyurl.com/SHRDPC-Scholarship
Topics that will be covered:
Syringe Access -----Faith, Drugs and Sex Work -----HCV and Harm Reduction -----Marijuana Policy Update -----Harm Reduction Media -----Sex Work in the South -----Transgender Health & Harm Reduction -----War on Drugs, A War on the People -----911 Good Samaritan Laws ----Advocacy 101 -----National and Regional Drug Policy Update -----Mass Incarceration -----Law Enforcement As Advocates -----Crack User and Injection Drug User Harm Reduction Safety -----Funding Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Reform ----- The Negative Effects of Drug Testing -----Overdose Prevention 101 -----Street Nursing and Outreach Skills -----Mapping a Drug Policy Reform and Harm Reduction Friendly Future for the South -----Crack Pipe Access and Hepatitis -----Drug User Stigma -----Syringe Exchange 101
Event Updates:
1.) The conference location and time: The Holiday Inn, Atlanta Capitol Conference Ctr, 450 Capitol Ave, Atlanta, GA. The conference will take place Thursday, September 6th, 7:45am-5pm (Registration opens at 7am), Friday, September 7th, 8:45am-5:30pm, Saturday, September 8th, 9:45am-1pm.
2.) Transportation form the Airport to the Conference Hotel: Guests flying in can take the MARTA train to the GA State University Train Station (E-1 station) and the hotel shuttle will pick them up from the train station. The hotel shuttle comes to that MARTA Stop about every 15 min. For details on the hotel shuttle please contact the hotel at: 404-591-2000
AHRC also made the following google map to show how to get to the hotel from a variety of locations:
3.) Parking: Parking at the hotel is $8 a day. One way to get around this is to park at a MARTA Station (the Atlanta train station) and train into the conference. Long-term parking is available at Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Kensington, Lenox and Sandy Springs Train Stations for $5/day. For more information go to: http://www.itsmarta.com/parking-information.aspx
4.) Housing: If the Conference Hotel sells out of rooms, there are two nearby options.
If the Conference Hotel sells out of rooms, the SHERATON ATLANTA HOTEL, which is located at 165 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 has offered a rate of $79 a night to conference participants . Make sure to mention you are going to the Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Conference and they should have a special rate. They are located 1 mile from the conference hotel. Their phone number for booking is 404-659-6500 or you can book online via https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/AtlantaHarmReduction
The Comfort Inn, which is less that 3 minutes form the conference hotel, is our other overflow hotel for a rate of $99 a night. To book a room with them call 404-658-1610. For reference they are located at: 759 POLLARD BLVD, Atlanta, GA 30315.
5.) Opening day of conference: On Thursday, September 6th, all conference attendees will be asked to join for a brief harm reduction rally at the Georgia capital (4 blocks from the hotel). We will all be leaving the conference hotel at 10am and returning to the hotel at noon. We will have alternative plans for government employees who can not attend due to their employment status during this time at the conference hotel. Please bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes and water with you to take this into account. If you have any concerns or questions about the rally please contact Robert Childs, robert@nchrc.net
6.) Post Conference Events:
*There will be a free "Drug User Stigma Prevention Training" from 1pm-3pm on Saturday. If you would like to attend please RSVP at burk@harmreduction.org
*AHRC will be hosting a tour of Atlanta Vine City, which will take place from 1pm-4pm, the Saturday of the Conference. This is a tour of Atlanta's Vine City, where AHRC does the bulk of their outreach work. The tour costs $5 (which will be used to cover gas you to/from the hotel). If you have any questions about this please email Jeff McDowell, Executive Director of the Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition at: jeffmahrc@gmail.com
*We will cap this tour at 14 people for reference. To sign up for the tour, go to
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFlJaUNGeG5HR1RCQ19ZSkpXVUxjNHc6MQ#gid=0
7.) Where can I go eat?
http://tinyurl.com/SHRDPC-Food
8.) Where can I find local pharmacies?
http://tinyurl.com/SHRDPC-Pharma
9.) Where can I buy groceries?
http://tinyurl.com/SHRDPC-Groceries
10.) What hashtag should I use to tweet about the conference?
Please use the following: #SHRDP
11.) Does the Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Network have a facebook page?
Yes, simply search "Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Network" on facebook and the page will come up.
12.) Is there free wi-fi at the hotel?
Yes, you betcha!
13.) If I can't attend the harm reduction and drug policy rally on Thursday due to my work affiliation, will there be any activities at the conference hotel for me to participate in?
Yes, the DPA will be showing Eugene Jarecki’s seminal film "Why We Fight" and leading a dicussion on it. This film discusses the effects of the war on drugs on the people.
14.) Is anything going on at Night?
Wednesday: Church Organ Karaoke
*We are encouraging people to go from 9:30pm to midnight to a session of "Church Organ Karaoke" at Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium, 466 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30312, Located at the corner of Boulevard & Edgewood (Sin & Salvation) in Old Fourth Ward.
Thursday: Pool Party
*Join us at the hotel pool, overlooking the city!
Friday: Southern Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Reception
*Join us from 8pm to xxx for the official conference's official reception and conference party. Tickets are a suggested $25 donation at the door. Please bring cash or make a check out to Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition. Proceeds will go towards members of the Southern Harm Reduction Network. Contact Verna Gaines 404-593-5811 or email at: vernagahrc@gmail.com with any questions. For people who can not afford the $25 donation, please pay what you can and you will gain access to the event.
15.) We will not be printing bios in an effort to save trees. To check out speakers bios, go to the following link:
16.) Where can I find the conference schedule?
Go to the following link: http://www.nchrc.org/news-and-events/news/southern-harm-reduction-and-drug-policy-conference-schedule/
17.) Directions for folks arriving on the MegaBus
For those arriving by MegaBus, take the southbound MARTA train from the Civic Center Station [N2] to the Five Points Station. From there, either take the Eastbound train one stop to the Georgia State Station [E1] and catch the hotel shuttle or catch Bus #55 at Five Points Station.
18.) Directions for folks arriving on the Grayhound
For anyone arriving by Greyhound, go to the Garnett Station [S1] next door and catch the Northbound train one stop to the Five Points Station. From there, either take the Eastbound train one stop to the Georgia State Station [E1] and catch the hotel shuttle or catch Bus #55 at Five Points Station.
