EFTC News

The most important resources of the EFTC are its members and others who are interested in improving the quality and availability of treatment services in Europe. The eftc-europe.com news pages are available for contributions from members and non-members world-wide.
Please contact: Rowdy Yates, Katriina Pajupuro or Anna Tsiboukli

The Phoenix Futures Voyage of Recovery

The 24 metre gaff ketch in full sail

In what may be the most creative, inspiring and brave venture in TC history, the UK's Phoenix Futures recently completed an amazing voyage of recovery. Phoenix Futures and Tectona Trust created  last year’s sailing adventure Voyage of Recovery in order to inspire people to consider what aspects of the therapeutic community can be translated into less traditional environments. The Voyage enabled 87 of Phoenix’s service users, as well as staff and graduates, to sail the 80ft gaff ketch Tectona 1,500 miles around the coastal waters of Britain. Sailing around Britain is a feat in itself, however the voyage has also created a new and challenging therapeutic environment onboard the Tectona. A research programme is currently under way with the University of Exeter that will study the impact of this unique recovery adventure. The Voyage has  even had a positive impact on the way people with drug and alcohol problems are perceived in local communities. Fundraising activities such as bag packing at supermarkets and car washing outside services, which raised over £50,000, have helped break down the barriers between services and local communities.

Phoenix are now working on a book and a film that will tell the story of the voyage and those that took up the challenge.

For more information go to:    http://www.phoenix-futures.org.uk/voyage-of-recovery

EFTC Acting President Awarded Honorary Graduate

Rowdy Yates is awarded Phoenix Futures' first Honorary Graduate Award

Rowdy Yates, EFTC Acting President, was "honoured and humbled" to be awarded Phoenix Futures' first Honorary Graduate by the organisation's CEO, Karen Biggs. Rowdy was unable to be at the London award ceremony - being stuck in a snowbound Dundee Airport - but he accepted the award by telephone. "For me", he said, "this is absolutely huge. As Karen has said I was awarded the MBE some years ago - but this for me is a much more important honour. After being around for many years at the start of the TC movement in the UK, I drifted away for many years when I felt that TCs had lost their creative edge and their courage in the face of changes in the field. I owe a huge debt to people like Bob Campbell and Anthony Slater who encouraged me to become involved again as an academic and a campaigner. Most of all my return was inspired by the creativity, bravery and passion of Phoenix Futures. I am very, very proud to accept".

EFTC 2013 Conference

The 14th EFTC Conference will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, on 17-20 September 2013 and will be hosted by TC Magdelena and supported by the Department of Addictology, Charles University, Prague. Registration is now open. In a message to all EFTC members and all of those interested in the TC approach to addiction and other social problems, conference organiser, Petr Nevsimal of TC Magdelena said:

"We are delighted to invite you to attend the 14th Conference on Rehabilitation and Drug Policy. The purpose of the conference is to discuss the pressing issues we all face in this changing world of addiction: development trends in the therapeutic community; research and education; and special populations and approaches. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on eftc@conference.cz. Thank you for considering our invitation. We look forward to seeing you in Prague".

For further information please visit:

https://www.conference.cz/EFTC2013/about.htm

WFTC Award for EFTC President

EFTC President Anthony Slater receives the Harry Scholl
Award in Oslo - December 2012

Outgoing President, Anthony Slater was presented with the Harry Scholl Award by the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities at their 2012 Conference in Bali, Indonesia. Ill-health prevented Anthony from travelling to the conference himself where it was received on his behalf by EFTC Hon. Vice President, Eric Broekaert. Professor Broekaert and his colleague, Ilse Goethals subsequently travelled to Anthony's home country of Norway to make this personal presentation. The EFTC Board would like to congratulate Anthony on behalf of all the membership on this occasion. The Harry Scholl Award is extremely prestigious and this is the first time that an EFTC President has been honoured in this way. Previous awardees have included TC pioneers such as: Harold Rahm, Alphonso Acampora, Charles Devlin and Bianca Costa Bozzo.

Wrestling With Demons (Update)

The EFTC album has now sold out!! But you CAN still purchase a copy in 2013!!! The EFTC Board have agreed to re-press a limited numer of discs to honour any outstanding orders. The disc has been a great success since its launch at Phoenix House, Glasgow last year. More that 200 discs have been sold and track from the disc were performed on stage at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall; using members of Phoenix House TC as chorus. Clips from that concert can be viewed on You Tube, where they have attracted more than 350 'hits'. To view the clips, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzP0FfNv9ZyV3vzDQeUfY8A

Wrestling With Demons performance at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Wrestling With Demons is a mini-disc of four songs reflecting the struggles and victories of men and women in recovery and working towards it. The main track In This House was specifically written by Rory Yates to celebrate the work and achievements of drug-free therapeutic communities throughout the world. All proceeds from the sale of the album will be donated to the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities who commissioned the work to celebrate 30 years of delivering quality self-help oriented rehabilitation to those in need.

Prices (all prices in GBP)

To buy online CLICK HERE