Harm reduction

News6 July 2026

From punishment to care: Let communities lead — Statement at the UNAIDS PCB 58th meeting's thematic segment on harm reduction

IDPC urged Member States to move from punishment to care by decriminalising drug use, funding harm reduction, and backing the communities already protecting life.

News26 June 2026

UN experts call to break the cycle: from punishment to care and support for all

27 UN human rights experts from 19 mandates call for a fundamental shift towards decriminalisation, harm reduction, evidence-based regulation, care and support, warning that punitive and militarised drug policies continue to drive serious human rights violations.

Events

A beginner’s guide to the decriminalisation of drug use in South Africa - Wise Wednesday series

Online

17 June 2026

This Wise Wednesday webinar covers what the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use could look like in South Africa, and how it can advance health and human rights.

Publications20 May 2026

Translating UN commitments into action - An advocacy primer on the HRC Resolution 60/26: 'The human rights implications of drug policy'

The Translating UN Commitments into Action series unpacks key international norms and guidance — why they matter and how to use them in your work.

Events

58th meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board

Geneva, Switzerland / Online

30 June 2026 - 2 July 2026

The meeting will review key priorities for the global HIV response, with a thematic segment focused on human rights and harm reduction.

Events

#StopTheDeaths conference 2026

Glasgow, Scotland

26 August 2026 - 27 August 2026

The conference will together people with lived and living experience, policymakers, service providers, and health and social care professionals to explore responses to drug-related deaths and harms.

Events

2026 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS

New York, United States / Online

22 June 2026 - 23 June 2026

The meeting will review progress since 2021 and shape a new Political Declaration, setting global commitments and accountability for the HIV response through 2030.

Events

Harm reduction in Europe in 2026 - Webinar

Online

26 May 2026

Trimbos Institute hosts a webinar exploring how shifting geopolitical priorities in Europe are reshaping drug policy, public health and harm reduction services.

News18 May 2026

How the Trump White House works against itself in its efforts to prevent overdoses

Contradictory policy moves, including restrictions on harm reduction policy, risk weakening evidence-based responses to overdose.

Publications13 May 2026

Modelling the impact of cuts in US PEPFAR funding for opioid agonist therapy and needle and syringe programmes on drug-related deaths and HIV and hepatitis C transmission among people who inject drugs

Kipkoech et al. estimate that disruptions could lead to thousands of additional HIV and HCV infections among people who inject drugs.

Events

Accelerating access to opioid agonist maintenance therapy (OAMT): An essential public health intervention

Geneva, Switzerland / Online

20 May 2026

Held alongside the 79th World Health Assembly, this inter-ministerial dialogue will focus on accelerating access to opioid agonist maintenance therapy as an essential public health intervention.

News13 May 2026

The HIV/AIDS response in Eastern Europe and Central Asia cannot be treated as business as usual in the 2026 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS!

EECA communities and civil society call on governments to ensure that the 2026 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS protects community-led responses, removes punitive barriers, and sustains harm reduction.

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