United Nations

News12 February 2026

Ten years after UNGASS, a resurgent global drug war

Ten years after the 2016 UNGASS, punitive drug policies remain dominant globally, with human rights violations, rising deaths and shrinking civic space undermining promises of reform.

IDPC in the Media12 February 2026

Ten years after UNGASS, a resurgent global drug war

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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.

Publications3 November 2025

Toolkit for ensuring rights-based and ethical use of digital technologies in HIV and health programmes

UNDP provides guidance to ensure that digital technologies for HIV and health are used ethically, protect human rights, and advance equity in the digital age.

Events

Towards a Gender-Inclusive drug policy: Beijing +30

22 September 2025

At UNGA 80, global leaders unite to expose how punitive drug policies harm women’s health and equality and to advance gender-responsive, rights-based reforms that uphold justice and health.

Publications3 October 2025

Shifting paradigms: United to Deliver - UN80 Initiative - Report of the Secretary-General

UNSG António Guterres proposes a restructuring of drugs, development, human rights, and HIV bodies, raising questions about oversight, civil society participation, and programme continuity.

Publications25 September 2025

Punishment over care: The failing drug policy of Moldova - Submission to the UN CESCR

EHRA, Union for Equity and Health, and PULS urge the Committee to interrogate Moldova’s punitive drug policies, which criminalise people who use drugs, restrict health and employment outcomes, and deepen stigma.

News3 July 2025

The UN coca leaf review and indigenous peoples’ rights: can the WHO meet the moment?

The WHO’s long-overdue review of the coca leaf is a historic test of whether global drug policy can finally confront its colonial roots and uphold Indigenous rights.

News20 May 2025

183 civil society groups urge UN Secretary-General to lead historic global drug policy review with a bold, inclusive and transformative vision

Global civil society groups call on the UN Secretary-General to ensure the independence, credibility and representativeness of the UN review's expert panel, and to champion meaningful, rights-affirming reform.

News21 November 2024

Death penalty: Enact an immediate moratorium toward abolition - Joint statement to the UN Secretary-General

IDPC co-signs joint statement at the General Debate with the UN Secretary-General, advocating for an end to the death penalty for drug offences.

Publications24 September 2024

Joint submission to the UN CESCR regarding opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and human rights in Poland

IDPC, EHRA, HRI, and HFHR highlight the challenges facing harm reduction and drug dependence treatment in Poland as well as recommendations for reform.

Events

CND Chair's special event to commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and to launch the 2024 UNODC World Drug Report

Vienna International Centre, Board room D & Online

26 June 2024

To mark World Drug Day 2024, join the CND at a special event to commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as well as the launch of the 2024 World Drug Report.

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