Harm Reduction in the Digital Age
Wednesday 3rd June 2026, Swansea Building Society Arena
We are thrilled to announce our theme for our 2026 conference, ‘Harm Reduction in the Digital Age’. Digital innovation within the substance use field is ever increasing, and evolving, and we are excited to provide a space to showcase some of the latest and innovative developments. From the use of AI to detect potential overdoses, to current research into the use of virtual reality as a treatment tool, our conference will be exploring a range of innovation, all aiming to continually reduce harm experienced by people affected by substance use.
On the day
Registration will open from 9.30am for refreshments with the conference and welcoming address commencing at 10.00am. The conference will end at 16.00pm. Please bring your confirmation email with you, preferably digitally to help us reduce our use of paper. There will be a buffet lunch and refreshments breaks during the conference.
Buying your tickets
All tickets can be purchased via our Eventbrite page, via the button below. If booking on someone else’s behalf, please ensure you complete the order form with their details. Ticket sales end on Tuesday 19th May 2026, unless otherwise stated.
- Early bird ticket (available until 31st March 2026) – £80 per person
- General sale ticket (available from Wednesday 1st April) – £100 per person
- Group booking of 5 – 9 people – £90 per person
- Group booking of 10 or more people – £85 per person
For T&Cs, please visit our Eventbrite page by clicking above. For more information and enquires, please email training@barod.cymru
Keynote speakers
Professor Paolo Deluca (Professor of Addiction Research, Kings College London)
Presentation topic: Virtual Reality-enhanced Cue Exposure Treatment for cocaine dependence
Paolo Deluca is Professor of Addiction Research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London. Trained in cognitive and developmental psychology, he holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Padua and a PhD from Lancaster University (2000). He has worked in addiction research for over twenty-five years across academic, clinical, and policy contexts. Professor Deluca’s work focuses on the development and evaluation of digital and technology-enhanced interventions for substance use disorders, integrating Virtual Reality, wearable sensors, and contingency management to improve prevention, treatment, and relapse monitoring. He led and co-led multiple national and international research programmes funded by the NIHR, MRC, and European Commission. His current projects include an NIHR i4i AMI programme developing Virtual Reality–enhanced Cue Exposure Therapy for cocaine dependence (2024–27), and the NIHR MHRG-funded Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Research (CAMHR, 2024–29) in partnership with the Universities of Hull and York. He also serves as Deputy Lead for the NIHR ARC South London Alcohol Theme (2018–2026) and chairs the IoPPN Research & Innovation Committee. Earlier, Professor Deluca managed several landmark alcohol trials, including the SIPS and SIPS jr programmes on screening and brief interventions, and contributed to major EU-funded initiatives such as AMPHORA, ODHIN, CODEMISUSED, and CASSANDRA. He was co-PI on the pioneering Psychonaut and Psychonaut EWS projects, which established one of Europe’s first early warning systems for novel psychoactive substances. His research bridges addiction science, digital health, and public health, with particular emphasis on translating technological innovations into clinical practice. Beyond research, Professor Deluca plays an active role in shaping research culture, open science, and doctoral training at the IoPPN, and serves as an expert advisor to European health agencies (EUDA) on emerging drug trends and intervention strategies.
More speakers to be announced soon.
Ethypharm is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to providing products targeting the central nervous system (CNS) for patients who are suffering severe pain or opioid dependency as well as providing a wide range of high quality injectable medicines for use in hospital and emergency situations.
We use our considerable expertise and know-how to provide innovative solutions to healthcare providers and their patients.
In the UK we are recognised as a key partner of the NHS and the private hospital sector with a range of quality products.
Exchange Supplies is a unique social enterprise working to improve the harm reduction response to drug use by developing products and information for injecting drug users, drug services, and needle exchanges.
They are committed to supplying high-quality, low cost injecting equipment to customers around the world, and to providing employment and training opportunities for drug users.
Orion Medical Supplies Ltd are specialist suppliers of injecting equipment, associated paraphernalia and bespoke kits to the Harm Reduction Market.
We work with Public Health, Commissioners and Charitable bodies providing a complete solution covering needle syringe provision. This includes provision of loose paraphernalia such as needles, syringes and pharmaceutical grade acidifiers and bespoke kits for pharmacy schemes. We also provide a fully managed needle exchange waste collection service.
Please note this information is taken https://www.swansea-arena.co.uk/visitors/getting-here
Address
Swansea Arena, Oystermouth Rd, Maritime Quarter, Bae Copr Bay, Swansea SA1 3BX
Arriving by car
Swansea Arena is easily accessible by car, with a number of car parks located close to the Arena.
Exit the M4 at Junction 47 if you are heading from the West (Carmarthen). Use Junction 42 if you are coming from the East (London/Cardiff)
Parking
We would advise parking at St David’s multi storey car park, which is across the road from Swansea Arena, as it is much cheaper than the one attached to the Arena.
St David’s Multi Story
Operated by: Swansea Council
Average walk time: 5 minutes
Cost: 4hrs £4, (£2 Blue Badge)
https://swansea.gov.uk/stdavidsmultistorey
Copr Bay South Multi Story
Operated by: Swansea Council
Average walk time: 1 minute
Cost: 4hrs £10, (£8 residents)
https://swansea.gov.uk/coprbaycarpark
NCP City Gates Multi Story
Operated by: NCP
Average walk time: 5 minutes
Cost: 4hrs: £8.75 (pre-booked)
https://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park
Quadrant Multi Story
Operated by: Swansea Council
Average walk time: 5 minutes
Cost: 4hrs £4
https://swansea.gov.uk/quadrantmultistorey
Paxton Street Pay and Display
Operated by: Swansea Council
Average walk time: 5 minutes
Cost: 4hrs £4, (£2 Blue Badge)
https://swansea.gov.uk/paxtonstreetcarpark
Park & Ride – Landore & Fabian Way (not suitable for evening shows)
Operated by: Swansea Council
Average walk time: 5 minutes from drop-off point (Quadrant)
Cost: £1 car + 4 passengersOpen: 6.45am – 7.30pm, Monday – Saturday
https://swansea.gov.uk/landore
https://swansea.gov.uk/fabianway
Many other parking options can be seen on PARKOPEDIA
Important information:
- Copr Bay South (adjacent to the Arena), features 35 disabled spaces, whilst all other city centre car parks have Blue Badge parking spaces available.
- Nearby on-street parking is very limited.
- Swansea Arena / ATG do not manage any car parks. Queries, requests for information, or concerns relating to the Council operated car parks should be directed to them by pressing the Pay-Station/Exit Barrier’s CALL button, phoning 01792 480526 or emailing car.parks@swansea.gov.uk
- Please expect some delays during busy events when exiting the car park.
- For electric vehicles, five 22kW charge points are available in the adjacent Copr Bay South car park. For more information, visit clenergy.online.
Arriving by train
Swansea Arena is a 10-minute walk or 6-minute drive from Swansea Train Station.
Swansea is well served by high-speed Great Western Railway trains from London and frequent Transport for Wales trains run from West Wales, the Marches, the Midlands and the South-West.
Once you have arrived to the vicinity of the coastal park, please find further information regarding the most accessible means of entering the venue here.
Arriving by bus/ coach
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Swansea Arena is served by local bus routes coming from in and out of the City Centre. The nearest stop to the Arena is Swansea Bus Station, located in The Quadrant.
Left Luggage Storage is available until 17:00, Monday-Saturday in Swansea Mobility Hire, located within the Bus Station.
Once you have arrived to the vicinity of the coastal park, please find further information regarding the most accessible means of entering the venue here.
