Harm reduction

Publications16 February 2026

Pipes as an engagement tool: Qualitative findings from a crack equipment and harm reduction training intervention in England

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.

Publications16 February 2026

'With this you’re not chained down to something': contrasting experiences of opioid agonist treatment and safer supply program participation among people receiving prescribed safer supply

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.

Publications16 February 2026

Peer-led drug checking in Chile: a case study of the country’s first harm reduction service at electronic music events

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.

Events

CND 69 and drug policy reform: Unpacking key implications

Online

31 March 2026

Join us for a webinar reflecting on key developments from this year’s CND session and their implications for the future of global drug policy reform.

Events

39th Quebec Harm Reduction Conference (RQRDM)

Montreal, Canada

14 May 2026

The event brings together organisations, practitioners and communities to reaffirm the foundations of harm reduction in the face of stigma and misinformation.

News12 February 2026

Access without excess: how to ensure safe, balanced access to controlled medicines around the world - Call for contributions

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.

News12 February 2026

UK: Green Party leader calls for system change in drugs policy

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.

News12 February 2026

Why Europe should avoid the trap of repressive drug policy

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.

Events

14th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU 2026)

Prague, Czech Republic

6 October 2026 - 9 October 2026

INHSU 2026 will convene researchers, practitioners, advocates and people who use drugs in Prague to advance evidence-based approaches to HIV, hepatitis and harm reduction in substance use settings.

News12 February 2026

United States: The case for compassion over tough love in addiction policy

Research-backed harm reduction programmes in New York City have reversed nearly 2,000 overdoses and reduced fatalities, even as federal funding cuts threaten their survival.

Events

International Chemsex Conference: Optimising support and care for people engaging in chemsex

Antwerp, Belgium

3 March 2026 - 5 March 2026

A transdisciplinary conference examining the complex realities of chemsex and advancing evidence-based, harm reduction and gender-responsive approaches to support and care, grounded in community expertise and human rights.

Publications12 February 2026

Needle and syringe programmes for people who inject drugs: Operational guide

WHO, UNAIDS and UNODC provide practical, step-by-step guidance for implementing and scaling up needle and syringe programmes as a core harm reduction intervention to prevent HIV, hepatitis C and overdose among people who inject drugs.

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