Photo: REUTERS

International Drug Policy Consortium

We are a global network advocating for drug policies that advance social justice and human rights.

195 network members in 75 countries

466 IDPC Publications

Hot Topics

28 August 2024
Introducing IDPC’s new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027!

Introducing IDPC’s new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027!

IDPC’s new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 outlines an ambitious approach to advance drug policy reform, addressing pivotal challenges for our movement in relation to funding, equitable regulation, and media impact, to name a few.

Publications

10 November 2024
The global state of harm reduction 2024

The global state of harm reduction 2024

Harm Reduction International map out availability of harm reduction services regionally and highlight key issues and populations that remain neglected, including indigenous, incarcerated and young people.

195 members worldwide

Our membership has been growing organically since IDPC was set up in 2006. Members can be NGOs, academic institutions, think tanks or professional networks, but they must have a national or international outlook, and a credible track record in the drug policy field.

Thematic focus

The promotion of effective and evidence-based approaches to drug policy, based on human rights, public health and social inclusion is central to our policy and advocacy work. We facilitate this work in several fields.
Human rights

Human Rights Day demonstration against extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Photo: Reuters.

Human rights

From extrajudicial killings to the denial of access to controlled pain medication, repressive drug policies continue to be a major driver of violence, suffering, and human rights violations across the world. We work to ensure that national and international institutions recognise, prevent, and redress these abuses.

UN level engagement

Screenshot from 'The 2016 UNGASS: Challenges and opportunities', a side event at the CND.

UN level engagement

As a global network, IDPC is uniquely placed to connect advocacy efforts and bridge policy debates between the national, regional and international levels, facilitating participation, promoting accountability and leveraging positive developments to advance progressive reforms.

Decriminalisation

Ukrainian activists demonstrate against the criminalisation of people who use drugs, sex workers and people living with HIV.

Decriminalisation

Criminalisation fuels stigma, syphons resources away from life-saving services, and creates severe and long-lasting obstacles to health and well-being. Instead, IDPC advocates for decriminalisation, an essential framework to develop balanced and health-oriented approaches to drugs.

Women and drug policy

Women-led demonstration as part of the Support. Don't Punish campaign. Supported by WHRIN. Photo: AILES

Women and drug policy

Women, both cis and trans, bear the negative consequences of drug policies in ways that are often neither seen nor heard. IDPC amplifies the voices of women, including through collaboration with feminist organisations, by advocating for reforms that address the gender inequalities perpetuated by drug policies.

Health

Banner drop by Canadian activists at the 2017 International Harm Reduction Conference. Photo: Nigel Brunsdon

Health

Whether it is overdose, communicable diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, untreated pain, ineffective drug treatment, stigma and discrimination, or torture, punitive ‘war on drugs’ policies cause and exacerbate harms and violate the universal human right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Our work promotes the prioritisation of health outcomes over punishment, ensuring access to adequately-funded and evidence-based harm reduction, treatment and prevention services, as well as controlled medicines.

Resources & learning tools

One of IDPC’s key objectives is to strengthen civil society’s capacity to engage in drug policy making processes through workshops, webinars, tools, direct granting and other resources. Check out the links below to access some of our key resources.