World

News17 September 2026

Human rights challenges in addressing and countering all aspects of the world drug problem, in particular on the impact of drug policies on the rights of women and girls

The OHCHR highlights how punitive approaches expose women and girls to disproportionate incarceration, violence, discrimination and barriers to services, and urges states to adopt a rights-based and gender-responsive perspective, including decriminalisation and responsible regulation.

Publications14 September 2026

Making children and young people visible in drug policy: A child rights-based agenda for reform

The Global Commission on Drug Policy calls for a child rights-based overhaul of drug policy, urging governments to move away from punitive approaches and ensure access to health services, essential controlled medicines, harm reduction and safeguards.

Publications13 September 2026

Small-scale cannabis cultivation, use, and supply in eighteen countries: methods, motives, and experiences

Potter et al.'s findings challenge stereotypes of cannabis growers, finding that small-scale cultivation is increasingly widespread, socially embedded, and largely disconnected from profit-driven drug markets and serious criminal activity.

Publications10 September 2026

'Global Solidarity, Don't Punish' — Report on the 2026 Support. Don't Punish Global Day of Action, with a focus on women and gender expansive people who use drugs

WHRIN documents 19 actions led by women and gender expansive people who use drugs across 16 countries, with this year's campaign marked by country-level coordination and consortium collaborations that increased the reach of collective action.

News10 September 2026

CND Expert Panel invites contributions to independent review of UN drug policy

Civil society, communities and other stakeholders are invited to submit evidence, experiences and recommendations to the CND Expert Panel, as it considers the future of the UN drug control system ahead of the 2029 high-level review.

Events

Geneva course on drug policy, public health, and diplomacy 2026 [POSTPONED]

Geneva, Switzerland / Online

19 October 2026 - 22 October 2026

The University of Geneva organises a three-day course, in person and online, on the international drug control regime and its consequences for public health and human rights, with a limited number of full scholarships.

Events

Drug policy: Reflections on what we know, what we need to know, and ways forward

Vienna, Austria / Online

23 September 2026

Leading drug policy researchers reflect on the current evidence base, persistent gaps and priorities for future investigation, and policy responses amid rapidly evolving challenges.

Blog8 September 2026

Celebrating Martin Jelsma’s contribution to the drug policy reform movement

After more than three decades at the forefront of drug policy reform, Martin Jelsma retires from TNI, leaving an extraordinary legacy of advancing human rights, social justice and more humane approaches to drugs.

Publications7 September 2026

Essential medicines, unequal access — Joint submission to the OHCHR

HRI, IDPC and EHRA highlight the barriers faced by people who use drugs in accessing essential medicines and harm reduction services, calling on states to reform drug policies and invest in the harm reduction response.

Publications3 September 2026

Systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent in the enforcement of drug laws and policies — Report of the UN EMLER

The UN Expert Mechanism on Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement calls for a fundamental shift away from punitive and militarised drug policies towards decriminalisation, responsible regulation and approaches grounded in racial justice, human rights, public health and community participation.

Publications2 September 2026

IDPC Progress Report 2025-2026

IDPC reflects on two decades of collective action and a year of resilience, highlighting advances in human rights, international drug policy reform and grassroots mobilisation, despite political backlash, shrinking civic space and funding cuts.

Events

63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council

Geneva, Switzerland

7 September 2026 - 7 October 2026

The 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council provides an important forum for advancing human rights worldwide, including in relation to drug policies and their impacts on affected communities.

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