On the 8th of May 2024, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) organised a webinar to inform discussions on drug consumption rooms (DCRs). With the participation of our Head of Policy, Roberto Perez Gayo, the discussion reviewed current DCR models & three well-established examples from different European countries.
The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) together with AIDS Action Europe (AAE) and Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN) are issuing this Call for Participation in “5-5-5 – We won’t be left behind!”, a networking zone in the Global Village at the 25th International AIDS Conference (22 July – 26 July 2024) in Munich, Germany.
Please carefully read the application details before submitting your application. Click here to submit your application: https://forms.office.com/e/bL7xzEMVvq
Application deadline 23 May 2024, 23:59 CET.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide financial support for presenters or participants. Organisers must find their own funding for travel to Munich, Germany and all costs associated with participation in AIDS 2024. For more information about the conference visit: www.aids2024.org.
Entry to the Global Village is free and open to the public. It does not require the payment of a conference registration fee.
If you have any questions, please contact Chiara Longhi (chiara.longhi@eatg.org).
The 5-5-5 – We won’t be left behind! zone will examine gaps and solutions to achieve the 95% targets, and how to reach the remaining 5% with a focus on the WHO European region (partners beyond the region are welcome to apply). There will be one theme per day with inspirational talks, presentations, and recaps on key learnings.
The objectives are:
The zone will provide space for community organisations to organise sessions around 5 themes. The overarching themes will be to address stigma and discrimination, improve health outcomes of inadequately served populations and social justice.
Thematic days:
We are calling for participation from grassroots and national NGOs, community-based organisatios, networks, researchers, institutions, civil society organisations, human rights organisations, advocacy associations for people living with HIV and other social justice organisations, as well as leaders in the field of HIV from around the WHO European region to join us in advancing the above objectives. Partners beyond the region are welcome to apply.
In our networking zone, we are particularly looking for applications from people living with HIV and other co-infections, trans and gender-diverse people, migrants and people on who move, women, people who use drugs and people in prisons and closed settings.
We invite you to apply to host an activity related to one the thematic days (Mobility and HIV; Sexuality and sex positive approaches; Well-being, quality of life and mental health; Substance use and harm reduction; Blind spots in the HIV response) including, but not limited to, the following types:
This World Mental Health Day, in a significant stride towards prioritising the mental health of individuals who use drugs, the Civil Society Forum on Drugs (CSFD) has sent its position paper to the EU Spanish Presidency, the Horizontal Working Party on Drugs, and the European Commission. The paper, titled “People Who Use Drugs and Mental Health“, emphasises the urgent need to address the often neglected intersection of mental health and substance use within the European context.
The paper addresses the complexity of the relationship between mental health conditions and substance use. Mental health conditions are influenced by social determinants such as inequality, discrimination, violence, and homelessness, factors which disproportionately affect people who use drugs. Furthermore, specific subpopulations, including women, young people, ethnic minorities, and indigenous groups, face unique challenges in accessing appropriate services for their mental health and substance use needs. These disparities highlight the pressing need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to addressing these issues from a person-centred, holistic perspective. The paper also calls for specific terminology reform, promoting the use of the term ‘comorbidity’ to describe the existence of both mental health conditions and substance use.
The paper concludes with a number of recommendations related to this issue, urging for a comprehensive review of current shortcomings in accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability of care. The CSFD welcomes the introduction of this topic within the political agenda, as these issues have historically been disregarded and warrant urgent consideration. The CSFD’s position paper serves as a call to action, urging policymakers, healthcare providers, and society at large to recognize and address the critical issues surrounding mental health and substance use. By adopting these recommendations and working together, we can strive for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to mental health care for all, particularly those who use drugs and face complex challenges.
The Civil Society Forum on Drugs (CSFD), the expert committee of the European Commission in the field of drugs, has identified the enhancement of a gender perspective in EU drug policy as one of the emerging issues of drug policies. In contrast with the previous EU Drug Strategy and Action Plan, the current one seems to incorporate a gender-sensitive approach to all aspects of EU drug policies, which is a significant advancement. However, the recommendations contained in this analysis can help enhance the gender perspectives in the EU drug policy documents. Read the full analysis here.
Image: Freepik.com
One year ago, Russia launched Europe’s biggest war since WWII. The toll of human suffering has been staggering – thousands have been killed, and more than 8 million Ukrainians fled abroad. Its social, econonomic and health effects have been felt in nearly everyone’s life.
However, conflicts don’t impact all people equally. War and violence exacerbate structural inequalities and discrimination. This last year, people who use drugs and other marginalised communities in Europe have disproportionately experienced its negative consequences. Equally, harm reduction organisations have been put to the test.
On this day, we remember and mourn all the victims of Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine and pay tribute to Ukrainian’s resilience and courage. Equally, we join governments, institutions, organisations and individuals across the world in demanding the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russia from the territory of Ukraine.
Until this moment comes, we will continue to #StandWithUkraine and work with our members, partners and friends to ensure that the health, safety and livelihood needs of people who use drugs and other underserved communities are met.
Correlation’s research officer Iga Jeziorska attended CONSTELLATIONS: An Online Festival on Drugs and Harm Reduction, offering insights and reflections from the 2 days of films, presentations, workshops and discussions.
During the festival, an update on the situation in Ukraine and activities of Polish harm reduction organisations supporting the refugee PWUD were discussed. The situation is difficult, but the harm reduction community works tirelessly. Despite the terrible context of the war, people remain motivated and services are working well. In Poland, unprecedented levels of unity and solidarity could be seen not only in harm reduction, but also in the society at large, when Polish citizens got highly mobilised to help Ukrainian neighbours fleeing from war.
Eurasian Harm Reduction Association [EHRA] has been operating a crowdfunding campaign to support Ukrainian PWUD and activitsts with individual financial support and humanitarian aid. If you are interested and able to support the cause, the bank details for donations are the following:
Name of account holder: Eurazijos žalos mažinimo asociacija
Purpose: Charitable donation for community in Ukraine
IBAN: LT92 7180 3000 0770 0220
Bank name: AB Šiaulių bankas
BIC/SWIFT: CBSBLT26
The festival also featured two advocacy videos on drug consumption rooms by Drugreporter and INPUD:
Metzineres: From Survival to Fighting Back about Barcelona’s safe haven for womxn who use drugs and experience(d) violence. Metzineres offers a “full-spectrum” harm reduction approach, encouraging the dreams and passions of the womxn using their services to create a feeling of encouragement where the womxn can safely share stories and survival methods.
The second video was The Wall of Shame about the history of crack use in Paris and the need for opening a safe consumption site for people using it. The documentary explores the barriers in place preventing the development of a safe consumption space, and addresses the stigma and racial discrimination surrounding crack consumption in Paris.
The videos were followed by a very interesting discussion on the needs of PWUD, racial and sexual discrimination, and (in)effective policies.
The videos were followed by a session on arbitrary detention of marginalised groups, involving Dr Miriam Estrada-Castillo from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, who explained the methods of work of the group and encouraged to submit the appeals to the Working Group if experienced arbitrary detention. Interestingly, the Working Group works on the basis of the international human rights conventions (also, civil and social rights conventions, and Convention against Torture), with national codes being of little interest. Any person who experienced arbitrary detention (or their family or friends) can submit an appeal to the Working Group, regardless of the duration of the detention, the time that passed since a person was detained, or whether they are already free. If the Working Group confirms the arbitrariness of the detention, a person is entitled to financial compensation from the government. The Working Group’s decisions are legally binding. You can read more about the mandate and operation of the Group here.
Finally, there was a roundtable with Patriic Gayle and Leila Reid about chemsex harm reduction in Greater London, with storytelling on how the grassroots service Gay Men’s Health Collective has finally acquired funding, discussion on the specificity of work with people engaging in chemsex, and presentation of a harm reduction package, which will be distributed in the city in 20.000 copies very soon.
The theme for HR23 is Strength in Solidarity, with a particular interest in how harm reduction intersects with other social justice movements.
A list of starting point ideas includes;
The call for abstracts will close at 23.59 BST on 30 September 2022.
On Human Rights Day, 10th December, we launched C-EHRN Podcast Series. To kick off our long-awaited podcast series’ idea, we held roundtable sessions during the 5th European Harm Reduction Conference 2021 in Prague, talking to harm reductionists on several topics. We happily and excitedly present you with the first episode of the series about Human Rights.
For this session, we had four guests; Irena Molnar of ReGeneration, Machteld Busz of MainLINE, Sabrina Sanchez of ESWA and Aura Roig of Metzineres; four strong women representing the core of their work with boldness, kindness, sincerity and fire.
“We are the ones that avoid talking about human rights. Instead, we legitimise our services from a social control point of view. We need to break this cycle and indicate that we do our work for the health and well-being of the people.” said Aura Roig.
Would you agree? Do we tend to forget that everything we do is in the name of equal human rights?
Share your opinion with us.
Listen to the podcast here. Follow us for more.
Today is Human Rights Day. Every year on 10 December, Human Rights is observed worldwide, “to proclaim the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being.” As announced by the UN, the 2021 theme of the Day is EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.
COVID-19 has started to be referred to as the inequality virus in recent times. Since the beginning of the pandemic, pre-existing inequalities have been exposed and exacerbated. As a response, international awareness days this year have emphasised the political, social, cultural and economic importance of upholding equity and human rights with renewed strength. An example of this has been the focus of the recently endorsed international World AIDS Day. In alignment with the 2030 Agenda, which is rich in slowly-but-surely approaching elimination goals, including AIDS, HIV, and deep-rooted forms of discrimination.
Today’s Human Rights Day is a crucial and opportune moment for human rights and drug policy reform movements for at least two reasons. On the one hand, it affirms that the war on drugs continues to sustain abusive policing, over-incarceration, coercion and punishment globally. On the other, it highlights the profoundly unequal outcomes of such repressive drug policies.
To mark Human Rights Day, the IDPC has shared its open letter to Ms Ghada Waly, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with a call to reform drug policies that entrench inequality. The letter “issues a strong statement on International Human Rights Day, calling on states to change the drug laws, policies and practices that violate health and human rights, and entrench inequality.” Please read the letter and ask your organisation to sign.
However, before you decide to sign such a letter, perhaps you would like to inform yourself more in-depth about current discussions on decriminalisation policies? During the 5th European Harm Reduction Conference 2021, EHRC21, we had a lively session titled “Drug policy: decriminalisation – the next logical step for Europe?” in which we discussed what you might be asking yourself now. What are the arguments for decriminalisation? If criminalisation can improve public health and human rights drastically, what are some of the complex and challenging questions that remain? You can watch it here.
Also, remember to check the session titled “Mainstreaming Human Rights & Evidence-based Law Enforcement”. This EHRC21 session could also be a valuable look-back since in here essential discussions took place regarding the role that law enforcement agencies ought to have in addressing the needs of people who use drugs. Please watch it here.
Today also marks the end of the #16DayActivism Challenge, which started on the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women. The joint action by the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD) and the Women and Harm Reduction International Network (WHRIN), addressing violence, stigma, and discrimination against women who use drugs, shares its concluding remarks today, on Human Rights Day. Please read them here.
Finally, today we are also launching the C-EHRN Podcast Series. To kick off our long-awaited podcast series’ idea, we held roundtable sessions during the EHRC21, talking to harm reductionists on several topics. We happily and excitedly present you with the first episode of the series about Human Rights.
For this session, we had four guests; Irena Molnar of ReGeneration, Machteld Busz of MainLINE, Sabrina Sanchez of ESWA and Aura Roig of Metzineres; four strong women representing the core of their work with boldness, kindness, sincerity and fire.
“We are the ones that avoid talking about human rights. Instead, we legitimise our services from a social control point of view. We need to break this cycle and indicate that we do our work for the health and well-being of the people.” said Aura Roig.
Would you agree? Do we tend to forget that everything we do is in the name of equal human rights?
Listen to the podcast here and share your opinion with us.
It is 2021. Like many other vital social issues that must have already been extinct, the shameful existence of violence against women, trans and non-binary people gives one shiver. Still, here we are, marking it with the hope of its elimination internationally.
25th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year’s campaign, generated by United Nations – UN, focuses on amplifying the call for global action to bridge funding gaps. It ensures essential services for survivors of violence during the COVID-19 crisis, focusing on prevention and collecting data to improve life-saving services for women and girls.
Its theme is Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!. It marks the launch of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign (Nov 25- Dec 10) — an initiative of 16 full days of activism concluding on the day that commemorates International Human Rights Day (10 December).
What is happening already?
Today, the “Sexism Free Night” Project has launched its European campaign BCRTEST – Bystander Chain Reaction Test, aiming to inspire action, encourage people without shaming or judging, and focus on fighting sexism with creativity and activism massive testing.
Have you taken a test yet? You may do so and share the cleverly developed campaign materials with your words alongside the hashtags #FunZone4All #BCRtest and #sexismfreenight.
The Euroasian Harm Reduction Association: EHRA has accepted the challenge and started their 16 days of activism campaign “Expected and unexpected risks of the #narcofeminism movement in the EECA region”.
What movement..?
The narcofeminism movement was born from the question of how painful and frightening it is to be a woman who uses psychoactive substances in combination with the experience of lack of focus on women for humane drug policies.
It is the response to discrimination, rights violations and injustice by activists from all over Europe.
Check out the details here.
Furthermore, the article “A World Beyond the War on Drugs” written by the Association for Women’sWomen’s Rights in Development (AWID) gives an excellent close look at the movement and its clear vision.
Also, the session: Girls power in HR2: womxn leadership to ensure access to Harm Reduction and Human Rights protection for womxn who use drugs with ReGeneration, EHRA, ENPUD and Metzineres, is highly insightful for you to exceed your knowledge on the topic and the current discussion on and around it.
Wonder how else you can show support in the name of solidarity, equality and humanity?
Why not download the campaign material and join the movement now
Moreover, read the statement pencilled down by the European Commission, mentioning gender-based cyber violence, the Istanbul convention, the use of sexual violence as a weapon and domestic violence. All violent in their own unique, secretive ways and all worrisome.
Last but not least, start acting now.
Act every day, everywhere.
