Despite the unequivocal evidence in support for harm reduction and growing acknowledgement of the need for drug policy reform, 'war on drugs' policies continue to syphon public resources.
Despite the risk of bombings, incarceration, abuse and sexual violence, Ukrainian harm reduction workers support thousands in the country and in exile.
Weaponising stigmatising language around drugs has long been and continues to be employed by autocratically-minded politicians across the globe, with violent and destructive effects on lives, health and human rights.
Long a hub for opium production, the country has now seen vastly increased production of meth from native ephedra plants in the wake of economic and political crisis, spiking fears of increased meth use disorders both domestically and abroad.
