The International Society for Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) Conference will bring together over 1,000 experts and researchers in the field of substance abuse disorders from around the world on Thursday in Abu Dhabi.

The conference will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from May 12 to 16, for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The four-day event will feature the most recent research findings in the domains of substance abuse, prevention, treatment, and recovery support.

The conference, organised by the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC), in collaboration with the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) and the International Society for Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), will focus on 'Uniting the Global Community to Face the Addiction Challenge.'

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Dr Hamad Abdullah Al Ghafri, Director-General of the National Rehabilitation Centre, said that the conference seeks to build a global network of strategic partnerships between organizations and specialists in the field of substance use disorders. He added that it represents a unique opportunity to share knowledge about scientific and research developments in the field along with discussions on up-to-date effective interventions and the best practices.

"More than 1,000 specialists and researchers in the fields of substance use disorders from all over the world will participate in the conference, more than 80 sub-plenaries dedicated to the latest research and studies. The conference will be accompanied by 25 workshops and 15 accredited training programs in all disciplines related to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, for 5 days in addition to the 7-days online conference with a total of 150 hours of broadcast, making it one of the longest online conferences in the field of substance use disorders," he underlined.

The NRC will also present seven scientific research and projects recently concluded at the centre as part of the conference.

Dr Al Ghafri further noted that the conference is the first scientific international event of this magnitude in the field of substance use since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, the event taking place in Abu Dhabi represents the confidence displayed by the international community in the UAE and Abu Dhabi after the success achieved by the country in controlling the pandemic. 

“It highlights Abu Dhabi's outstanding infrastructure, which enables it to host international events in various sectors, especially the health sector. The conference attracts the world's attention to the medical tourism in Abu Dhabi and reflects the emirate's keenness to provide the latest medical practices and techniques based on scientific research and innovation in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of substance use," Dr Al Ghafri pointed out.

In conclusion, he said the event highlights Abu Dhabi's outstanding infrastructure, which enables the Emirate to host international events in various sectors, especially the health sector. 

“The conference attracts the world's attention to the medical tourism in Abu Dhabi and reflects the emirate's keenness to provide the latest medical practices and techniques based on scientific research and innovation in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of substance use,” the official added.

UAE: More than 1,000 substance abuse specialists to gather for conference this week