The 2016 National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) annual Research Symposium will be held on 12 September 2016 at the John Niland Scientia Conference and Events Centre at UNSW in Sydney.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.

NDARC Annual Research Symposium 2016

On 8–10 September 2016, Brazil will host the 13th AWID International Forum on women's rights. The Eurasian Harm Reduction Network mission is taking part in this forum.

The goal of the EHRN mission is to highlight the challenges and needs of women who use drugs, and to advocate the need of revising punitive drug policies. The delegation involves 11 women from member organisations working in various countries of the region, as well as the International Network of Women who Use Drugs (INWUD) and the Women's Harm Reduction International Network (WHRIN). Based on the experience of their organisations, delegates will demonstrate what works to mobilize communities and advocate for their needs. They will learn from the experience of other projects that work internationally to tackle violence and the gaps in reproductive health, gender and equal access to health and social services. And they will discuss opportunities to incorporate PWUD activities into other project agendas to respond to the needs of women who use drugs.

The EHRN and the Open Society Foundation will host a forum session, titled “Punitive drug policies and women’s rights: Addressing violence against criminalized women in Eastern Europe and Central Asia” (September 8, 16:30–18:00).

The session will highlight experiences and lessons gained by the EHRN delegation members from their advocacy and human rights activities. The EHRN speakers involve:

Irena Ermolaeva, founder of the non-governmental organisation Asteria — a first national organisation in Kyrgyzstan working with women who use drugs

Olga Ponomareva, street lawyer; she provides basic legal assistance to women who use drugs in Donetsk region, Ukraine

Oksana Buzovici, coordinator of the Harm Reduction Resource Centre (Moldova) helping women who use drugs and female sex workers

The session will be facilitated by Eka Yakobishvili, a human rights lawyer and EHRN expert on drug policy issues.

EHRN Mission at the Brazil Forum: Addressing Drug Policies and the needs of Women Who Use Drugs

The Third Intersessional Meeting of the CND will take place on 8 September 2016, from 10 AM to 3 PM (CET) in Boardroom D, C-Building, Vienna International Centre.

1. Contributions to the work of the Economic and Social Council
2. Follow-up to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem
3. Preparations for the reconvened 59th session of the CND
4. Preparations for the 60th session of the CND
5. Other business

NGOs in ECOSOC Consultative Status are invited to nominate observers to attend the session. To register, please send the name, address and email-address of the designated observer(s) to info@vngoc.org as soon as possible. The VNGOC will then forward the information to UNODC to secure access for everyone who does not hold an annual pass to the Vienna International Centre.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.

CND Intersessional Meeting

This symposium is the leading International conference focused on the management of hepatitis among substance users. It is organized by the International Network for Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU). The symposium is held biennially and was first held in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2009, Brussels, Belgium, in 2011, Munich, Germany, in 2013 and Sydney, Australia, in 2015. In 2015, INHSU decided to move to an annual symposium to keep pace with the rapid development of new therapies and exciting new research on HCV care among people who inject drugs. Hence, the 2016 INHSU symposium will be held in Oslo, Norway, at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel.

The International Symposium on Hepatitis in Substance Users attracts delegates including health professionals (doctors, nurses and allied health), researchers, community organisations, people who use drugs and policy makers.

This year’s conference focuses on issues related to:

Stay up to date with conference news and join our mailing list now.

Click here to learn more about the 4th International Symposium on Hepatitis in Substance Users.

5th International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users

The four-day professional development course Drug Policy Reform after UNGASS 2016: Prospects, Proposals, Constraints is a timely follow up from the landmark April 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs – an event which showed intense but frustrated pressure for reform and profound division over future direction. International drug policy is at a crucial turning point, with opportunities and also risks posed by fragmentation and dissent. This course refl ects on the pre- and post-UNGASS period, identifi es lessons learned and considers next steps at national, regional and global level.

Health, crime, human rights, development and new challenges were identifi ed by the UNGASS as key thematic areas and these will continue to frame priorities, debate and advocacy going forward. Each area will be considered in dedicated sessions that will unpack and assess evidence, best practice, strategies for reform, as well as spoilers and obstacles to change.

The course is intended to strengthen and diversify the knowledge base and networks of NGOs, officials, journalists and others engaged in research and advocacy on drug policy. With a view to supporting inter-regional and international experience sharing and collaboration, we encourage applications from around the world. For applicants with a background in drug policy, the four days of focused discussion and analysis will support ongoing professional development and provide an opportunity to share experiences.

Drug policy reform after UNGASS 2016: Prospects, proposals, constraints

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

Overdose Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable. Wear Silver to show your support.

International Overdose Awareness Day 2016

A warm welcome to our 5th International Palliative Care Conference in Africa, co-hosted in Kampala from August 16-19 by the African Palliative Care Association and the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance.

The conference theme, “Hospice and Palliative Care: Resolution to Action” echoes our vision to disseminate ideas and research evidence for how to move to action faster and more effectively in wake of the 2014 World Health Assembly Resolution on palliative care.

While these commitments were made at the global and national levels, it is now time to look at what is happening on the ground and determine how we can increase action on the resolution.

At the conference, we will examine the evidence closely. While recognising different contexts, we will focus on learning in all directions highlighting where practitioners have got it right so far and the challenges they face --whether that is in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe or the Middle East.

We are committed to practical outputs on how this resolution can be used to significantly increase the quality of life of patients and their families all around the world.

We need to join together, share and learn from each other to ensure patients on our watch receive services that reflect the dignity and quality of life that match their worth. The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance and the African Palliative Care Association look forward to welcoming you to Kampala.

For more information, please visit the conference website.

5th International African Palliative Care Conference

PANEL PRESENTATION AND QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

Chief Constable Mike Barton joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1980 and in 2008 he joined Durham Constabulary as Assistant Chief Constable. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable and then Chief Constable in February 2013. He has attracted a degree of media attention through his advocacy for a ‘grown up’ debate on drugs challenging the efficacy of outright prohibition. He believes that people with substance use issues should be treated and supported into 

, not criminalised. He is a huge supporter and active champion of recovery.

Kirstie Douse is head of Legal Services at Release, the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. Release believe in a just and fair society where drug policies should reduce the harms associated with drugs, and where those who use drugs are treated based on principles of human rights, dignity and equality.

Fiona Gilbertson is a co founder of Recovering Justice and is in long term recovery. She believes that the fundamental way to tackle stigma and discrimination is through policy change. People need rights not concessions.

Suzanne Sharkey is a spokesperson for LEAP UK -Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. LEAP is made up of current and former members of the law enforcement and criminal justice communities who are speaking out about the failures of our existing drug policies. Suzanne was a Police Officer for 5 years as an undercover drugs buyer. She is also in long term recovery from problematic substance misuse.

Jane Slater has worked at Transform since 2007. She now leads the Anyone's Child: Families for Safer Drug Control campaign, a network of families whose lives have been wrecked by the current approach to drugs and are now campaigning for the legal control and regulation of drugs.

How do we help create peace after the war on drugs?

This year sees the first ever World Health Organization’s Global Elimination Strategy for Viral Hepatitis, which outlines a goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

To mark this momentous occasion, the WHD2016 theme is elimination. The theme of elimination runs across various activities including treatment, prevention, awareness, tackling stigma etc. To reach elimination, we need a unified approach amongst patients, policymakers, public and medical professionals.

NOhep, a global elimination movement, will be launched on WHD2016 to bring people together and provide a platform for people to speak out, be engaged and take action to ensure global commitments are met and viral hepatitis is eliminated by 2030.

On WHD2016, we are calling on all people to taking actions to eliminate viral hepatitis.Download the toolkit for more info on how to get involved in WHD and to find out more about NOhep.

In this recording of the webinar, you will also hear more about the launch of NOhep, a movement to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, and how you can get involved on WHD.

World Hepatitis Day 2016 (WHD2016)

Formation of the West Africa Drug Commission and Support from the Corridors of Power (Dr. Idrissa Ba)

Gendered Lens of Harm Reduction and Women who Inject drugs (Fatma Jeneby)

Harm Reduction Introduction and Integration in Tanzania (Dr. Omary Ubuguyu)

The Double-Edged Sword of the Harn Reduction Movement in Mauritius (Kunal Naik)

Introducing Harn Reduction to South Africa: Programs, Policy and Policing (Shaun Shelly)

Joining the Dots: Harm Reduction in Africa

New research using psychedelic drugs to understand the brain could lead to new treatments for mental disorders such as depression. Dr Robin Carhart-Harris will describe his research with these unusual compounds, which includes the first ever functional brain imaging studies with LSD and magic mushrooms and the first clinical trial of magic mushrooms in patients with treatment resistant depressive disorder.

Psychedelics in Science & Medicine - guest lecture by Dr Robin Carhart-Harris

The International AIDS Conference is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. It is a chance to assess where we are, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward.

The AIDS 2016 programme will present new scientific knowledge and offer many opportunities for structured dialogue on the major issues facing the global response to HIV. A variety of session types – from abstract-driven presentations to symposia, bridging and plenary sessions – will meet the needs of various participants. Other related activities, including the Global Village, satellite symposia, the Exhibition and affiliated independent events, will contribute to an exceptional opportunity for professional development and networking.

IDPC will be involved in several sessions during the Conference:

UNGASS 2016: HIV/AIDS and Unsafe Drug Use: Public Health and International Drug Policy

Wednesday 20th July - 11:00 – 12:30, organised by IAS and Global Commission on Drug Policy, in Session Room 5

Wednesday 20th July – 1.30pm – 2:30pm, organised by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, in the Human Rights networking zone

Screening with discussion of two Support. Don’t Punish videos - “Voices for drug policy reform from Asia” and “A broad consensus? – It’s time for change”

Thursday 21st July – 12noon, organised by the Drug User Networking Zone in GV and IDPC, in the Harm Reduction networking zone

Click here to find the AIDS 2016 Online Conference Programme

The Urban Futures Centre at Durban University of Technology (UFC@DUT), in partnership with TB/HIV Care Association, and with financial support from ARASA, have organised a networking zone for people who use drugs and harm reduction representatives and organisations to network and share ideas and experiences. There will also be harm reduction commodities available, including an NSP. For the conference-related harm reduction services, click here. A 

 to PWUD, drug policy and harm reduction events can be downloaded in Excel or PDF version.

As part of the activities taking place in the 

, the Support. Don't Punish. campaign is hosting a film screening event in Booth 612 on Thursday, 21 July (12h00 - 14h00). The documentary Support. Don’t Punish. Voices from Asia. presents the experiences of health practitioners, development experts, people who use drugs and officials in dealing with drug use in India, Myanmar and Thailand. They explain why there is an urgent need to end the criminalisation, punishment and stigma against people who use drugs and people engaged in illicit crop cultivation for subsistence purposes, and call for drug policies that achieve better outcomes for health, human rights and development. The short video A broad consensus? It’s time for change. is a tongue-in-cheek exploration of the state of the international consensus on key drug policy issues. The screening will be followed by an interactive discussion led by Ann Fordham (IDPC) and Suhendro Sugiharto (PKNI).

Past Events