In her final CND as IDPC ED, Ann Fordham reflects on a historic shift: the recognition of harm reduction in UN drug policy debates, amid rising geopolitical tensions, fractured consensus, and a multilateral system under strain.
IDPC considers Resolution 60/26 a landmark affirmation of the Council’s authority to address the human rights implications of drug policy, strengthening the role of the UN human rights system and reinforcing calls for health-, rights- and evidence-based drug policies globally.
EHRA and partners analyse how shrinking civic space and punitive legal frameworks are undermining community-led HIV and TB responses in the region, directly impacting LGBTQI+ people, people who use drugs, sex workers, and people living with HIV.
Harris et al. find that providing inhalation equipment alongside workforce training facilitates stronger relationships between providers and people who use crack, and new engagement opportunities, despite enduring structural barriers.
Michaud et al. find that participants in the programme report greater autonomy, improved quality of life and stronger therapeutic relationships compared to prior experiences with opioid agonist treatment.
Obregón et al. conclude that Chile’s first peer-led drug checking service at music events reveals significant levels of adulteration and underscores the need to expand harm reduction services.
The event brings together organisations, practitioners and communities to reaffirm the foundations of harm reduction in the face of stigma and misinformation.
This collection aims to bring together articles and research addressing the global challenge of opioid access and the development of evidence-informed policies to achieve equitable, safe, and sustainable pain management.
Polanski has called for a public health approach, with responsibly regulated drug markets, arguing that the current system pushes drug use into illegality, fueling risks and violence.
The European Commission’s proposed 2026–2030 EU Drugs Strategy shifts emphasis toward enforcement and border control, prompting calls to prioritise harm reduction, housing, community-based care and rights-based approaches.
