The ISSUP Executive Committee had an important meeting in Washington, D.C. on October 1-2, 2017. The beautiful Washington weather was sadly missed behind closed doors as the Executive Committee, which includes Jeff Lee, Joanna Travis-Roberts, and Riva Setiawan from the ISSUP Staff team alongside Melody Heaps, ISSUP’s Chair, Sue Thau and Vivienne Evans. The meeting was also attended by colleagues from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
The meeting was at an important point in ISSUP’s year given that the end of October is the fiscal end of year for ISSUP. This meant that significant time was spent on reviewing the work over the past year, including the outstanding tasks and deliverables to be completed before a new year’s work plan is undertaken. The plan and budget for the year ahead were reviewed in the light of developments over recent months. Most importantly, decisions were made about how to develop and improve communications and collaboration between the major stakeholders involved in supporting ISSUP’s work. 'Communication' remains the key word for any organisation to operate efficiently and effectively and so it was good to reflect on how communication lines are kept live and functioning properly.
The meeting also reviewed the plans for the year ahead. ISSUP’s National Chapter developments are a very important focus for the year ahead with a view to a “slow but sure” growth. The annual ISSUP event remains another key activity. The preparations for the ISSUP event in Mexico in December 2017 progresses and there were initial discussions for an ISSUP event in Kenya in 2018. An event in Africa is a very exciting prospect as it will link with a newly established ISSUP National Chapter in Kenya which will be formally launched at the event.
The ISSUP website always underpins a significant proportion of ISSUP activity. The plans and provision for the website were regularly referred to and once again it was clear how much has been achieved by so few for so little towards achieving a website that is unique and offers so much to so many with an interest in substance use prevention and treatment.
The Executive Committee and INL shared their satisfaction at how much the ISSUP team had achieved over the year, but all remained aware of the challenges ahead in pursuing the objectives set for achieving ISSUP’s mission and vision. The end of term report summary is probably best summarised as – “The team has worked hard and well through the year. It has undertaken a great deal of work and delivered many important achievements. New demands and challenges await but so much potential. A great start so let’s move forward - onwards and upwards!”
The meeting ended and the late afternoon sun awaited a visit!