29th April 2005

Dr Peter Fitzgerald wins inaugural Essay Competition of the Substance Misuse Faculty

The Substance Misuse Faculty of the ICPsych held its AGM in a parallel session with the Forensic Psychiatry Faculty at the Irish College of Psychiatrists in Dublin last week. There was a most interesting exchange of views in relation to several areas of particular interest to practitioners in forensic psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and the area of dual diagnosis.

The inaugural essay competition of the Substance Misuse Faculty of the Irish College of Psychiatrists was awarded at the meeting in the Alexander Hotel in Dublin last Friday April 15th. The turnout was substantial and this was "very reassuring for the Faculty and its future", according to Dr. Noreen Bannan, Honorary Secretary of the Faculty. "A lot of time and effort had gone into the promotion of the competition and this was rewarded by a very high standard of entry to the competition" Dr Bannan said. The winner of the competition was Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, psychiatry Registrar from Cork who provided a comprehensive account of harm reduction and its role in the treatment of addictions. He was presented with a commemorative medal and a prize of Euro 500. The Essay Competition was sponsored by Merck Pharmaceuticals, represented by Mr. Paul McFadden.

Particular mention was made of the cross-border dimension of the meeting and the possibility for cooperation between the ICPsych and the Northern Division of the RCPsych in the future. Several visitors from the north-eastern six counties expressed their interest in attending future Committee meetings of the Irish Faculty. This development was welcomed by all present as a positive step towards dealing with the addiction issues which arise in the the particular setting of the island of Ireland. Dr. Sean O'Domhnaill, Faculty Vice-Chair, expressed deep satisfaction with the growth of the Faculty since its inception just over eighteen months ago. "The Faculty can only go from strength to strength now that there is a wider awareness of its presence and a more visible input into policy-making from the Committee and its regular supporters."

Sean O'Domhnaill Vice-Chair, Substance Misuse Faculty, ICPsych.