Ukraine declares support for harm reduction internationally as a new CND member and in the national drug strategy to 2030

During this week’s thematic discussions in Vienna, representatives of Ukraine took the floor for the first time as a new member of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), reaffirming the country’s commitment to drug policy grounded in evidence and human rights—even during wartime.

On 2 October 2025, at the CND session on “Access to internationally controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes” (webcast link), Ukraine’s representative delivered the following key messages

• Russia’s aggression is damaging Ukraine’s healthcare system, causing losses among medical personnel and a sharp rise in war-related injuries, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological trauma, particularly among veterans.
• Despite this, Ukraine is ensuring access to healthcare and harm reduction: by the end of 2024, 31,000 people were receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) across 193 public and 33 private facilities—exceeding 90% of national programme targets. Further expansion of coverage is planned.
• The National Drug Policy Strategy to 2030 prioritises access to essential medicines, pain relief, continuity of care and psychosocial support for those in need, in particular war-affected civilians and veterans.
• Ukraine is also addressing the challenges posed by new psychoactive substances and stimulant use by expanding prevention and harm reduction.
• As a new CND member, Ukraine aligns with the EU Drugs Strategy, supporting a balanced approach that integrates supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction. Ukraine is committed to evidence- and rights-based drug policy and stands ready to contribute actively to these shared goals.

On 1 October 2025, at the CND intersessional side event “Meeting Commitments: Investing in Life-Saving Harm Reduction,” organised by Colombia and supported by a wide range of state delegations, Ukraine’s delegate delivered a strong, inspiring message in support of evidence- and rights-based harm reduction. As a new CND member, Ukraine underlined that:

• Despite the devastating impact of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression, the country remains resilient, determined and committed to ensuring science-based support, including life-saving harm reduction services and comprehensive mental-health/psychiatric care for people who use drugs.
• In August 2025, Ukraine adopted a new Drug Policy Strategy to 2030 aimed at improving human rights protection and the social, medical, psychological and economic well-being of the population by promoting healthy lifestyles and enabling conditions for them; improving access to essential medicines; and ensuring high-quality medical and psychosocial care, social services and harm reduction programmes for those in need.
• The Strategy sets clear priorities: reducing health risks and drug-related harms; ensuring the right to prevention and treatment (including in prisons and probation services); improving legislation; and upholding human rights, non-discrimination and the right to health—including access to harm reduction and OAT.
• Ukraine is committed to advancing evidence- and rights-based drug policy aligned with EU approaches, in cooperation with civil society and with the meaningful participation of communities of people who use drugs.
• The urgent need for sustainable financing to ensure continuity of harm reduction services—not only in Ukraine but also in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and worldwide—was emphasised.
• Finally, Ukraine stressed that the CND must play a leading role in advancing this agenda and confirmed its readiness to contribute actively to our shared commitment: investing in harm reduction, protecting health and saving lives.

At the event, the EU, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ghana, Australia, France, the United Kingdom and Colombia pledged to support life-saving harm reduction services domestically and globally. A representative of the Global Fund highlighted the important work of the All-Ukrainian Network of People Who Use Drugs (VOLNA) and the Ukrainian Network of Women Who Use Drugs (VONA) as community leaders in harm reduction.

Importantly, the Drug Policy Strategy to 2030, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 20 August 2025, together with the Operational Plan for 2025–2027, makes clear that Ukraine is focused not only on combating illicit drug trafficking but also on demand reduction and harm reduction (official text in Ukrainian: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/920-2025-%D1%80#n15).

The Strategy provides for a systemic approach to the treatment of dependence and aims to transform societal attitudes towards people with addictions. It promotes high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centred models of care in line with modern international practice. The action plan envisages intersectoral efforts to raise public awareness of drug policy in educational institutions, workplaces and the healthcare system. Particular attention is paid to countering discrimination against people with mental or behavioural disorders caused by the use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues. It also includes measures to promote healthy lifestyles and create supportive conditions—especially for children, adolescents, youth, service personnel and veterans. The Strategy further emphasises improved access to controlled medicines for medical purposes, the expansion of harm reduction and diagnostic services, and psychosocial support for those who need it.

Ukraine’s state drug policy aims to protect human rights and improve people’s psychosocial, medical, psychological and economic well-being. Adoption of the Strategy forms part of Ukraine’s commitment to integration into the global and European community through a human-rights-based approach. Special attention is given to ensuring access to prevention, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation—including opioid agonist therapy (OAT). Vulnerable groups, including war-affected civilians, victims and military veterans, are guaranteed access to treatment and harm reduction services. The Strategy also ensures continuity of medical care during conflict and displacement.