AATA Office Bearer list

and

Friends of AATA

Action Against Tranquilliser Addiction is a non-profit Charity based in Northern Ireland.

Our organisation operates a strictly non-judgemental and mutually inclusive organisation. As an organisation we believe that religion, culture, ethnicity, social status, personal background should be no barrier to receiving information and support. Any office bearer or volunteer who violates this code of conduct risk being disciplinary action which may include being suspended or removed entirely from our membership.

Our office bearers (management committee) is as follows;

Chair

Ross JM

Secretary

Dr JG McConnell BSc, MD, FRCP, FRCPEd

Treasurer

Marie Walker

Trustee

Dr KA McConnell, MD

 

Friends of AATA

 

Sir Bill Connor

Sir Bill Connor has worked for most of his life in politics and we hope to use his knowledge and wisdom in the future for contacting governmental healthcare bodies when seeking funding.

 

Susan Bibby

Susan Bibby since coming off of benzodiazepines been a tireless researcher on the subject of benzodiazepines, with a particular interest in how benzodiazepines affect the unborn baby. Some of her achievements with regard to benzodiazepines have included submitting medical evidence to the Committee on Safety of Medicines which lead to changes in the data sheets of benzodiazepines, as well as several appearances on television and print media.

 

Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer Robinson, a former benzodiazepine user, has done voluntary work in the mental health field and has been involved in trying to highlight the lack of services for prescribed benzodiazepine users in Wales.

 

Therese Kennedy

Therese Kennedy has been the sole carer for her husband who has been disabled through the adverse effects from chronic use of benzodiazepines. She has been tireless in highlighting the plight of her husband and the lack of services available for him and others like him in Scotland.

 

About the Management Committee

of

Action Against Tranquilliser Addiction

The role of the secretary of the organisation is to oversee the functioning of the organisation. The role of the chair/director is to provide leadership and direction. We as an organisation operate an inclusive role with every staff member’s views being carefully considered. On a yearly basis we review our staff’s membership and position in our organisation. We have two trustees, their role is to manage the finances of the organisation, including the receiving grant money and dispensing and accounting for how, when and where the money is spent. The release of money from the action against tranquilliser addiction organisation bank account can only occur after both trustees have signed for the release of funds.
The director of the organisation can in agreement with the trustees terminate the membership of a staff member if it is believed to be justified and in the best interests of the organisation. This decision if urgent can occur at anytime, if non-urgent then restructuring staff membership including, promotions, demotions and removal from staff membership will occur at our organisation's annual meeting.

The objectives of the organisation are;

To establish regional helplines for benzodiazepine users and their families which will provide information and support. To raise awareness of the serious problems associated with benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal. To work collaboratively with existing drug and alcohol services and the medical profession to improve the management of benzodiazepine dependence and to prevent benzodiazepine dependence from occuring in the first place.

The role of the trustees of the organisation are;

To receive and to dispense funding to fund our objectives of establishing a helpline service. To record proof of how the money was spent. To sign and counter sign for the dispensing of money from the Action Aganst Tranquilliser Addiction bank account.

The role of the director/chair and secretary is to;

To provide a leadership role for the organisation, making decisions on granting and removing membership. To keep a record of all members contact details including names, addresses and telephone numbers. To grant powers and roles of members and member groups within the organisation Arranging annual meetings and recording and finalising votes.