Author: DPNSEE

New Policy Brief Out: Where There Is Fruit, There Is Seed: Scaling Up Community Involvement for Integrated, Responsive, and Sustainable Harm Reduction

Posted on by DPNSEE

This policy brief underscores the transformative potential of community-led responses in driving sustainable harm reduction strategies. It highlights the indispensable role of communities in addressing the intersecting challenges of HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis, while aligning with global targets.

By emphasizing actionability, measurable progress, and equity, this brief calls for urgent investment in community leadership to ensure no one is left behind. Scaling up community-led responses is essential to achieving sustainable and equitable health outcomes and policymakers must prioritize investment in these initiatives, ensuring measurable progress and inclusive participation.

The EU4Health BOOST project exemplifies how collective action and investment in community-led initiatives can drive meaningful change and achieve sustainable health outcomes for all. Together, we can build a future where harm reduction strategies are inclusive, responsive, and transformative.

A policy webinar focused on addressing challenges and exploring recommendations to enhance community involvement in harm reduction is scheduled for November 1st, in commemoration of International Drug Users Day (IDUD).

Read the full policy brief here >>>.

 

New policy brief calls for a decriminalisation model whereby all drugs are decriminalised

Posted on by DPNSEE

The criminalisation of use, possession for personal use, and other related behaviours may have negative impact on people who use drugs, local communities, and the whole society, particularly in terms of access to health and social services.

Several actors in the field of drug policy have indicated that a punitive approach is counterproductive to achieving the health and welfare of humankind and many UN agencies have reported the negative impact of criminalisation on people who use drugs and on their surrounding communities.

The decriminalisation of drug use and related activities is a policy option that is widely supported as a core component of a human rights- and health-based approach towards people who use drugs. Decriminalisation refers to the removal of criminal status from a certain behaviour or action. This does not mean that the behaviour is legal, as non-criminal penalties may still be applied. This process aims to remove the stigma against people who use drugs as well as to ensure that they have access to a broad range of support and health services, including prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.

This publication, prepared by the Drug Policy Network South East Europe, is part of the EU-funded BOOST project, which supports community-led advocacy for inclusive health systems across Europe.

Read the full policy brief here>>>.

 

No Health Without Rights: New Policy Brief Urges Universal Health Coverage for People Who Use Drugs in Europe

Posted on by DPNSEE

In support of the EU Drug Policy Campaign 2025, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA), together with the Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN), the European Network of People Who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD), and the Drug Policy Network South East Europe (DPNSEE), has released a new policy brief: Advancing Universal Health Coverage for People Who Use Drugs in Europe.

The brief calls for urgent reforms to ensure equitable access to healthcare for one of the region’s most marginalized populations. It outlines how people who use drugs continue to face systemic barriers to essential services—including harm reduction, mental health care, and treatment for infectious diseases—despite longstanding EU commitments to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Universal health coverage must mean everyone – especially those most often left behind,” said Ganna Dovbakh, Executive Director at EHRA. “This paper is a roadmap for the EU and governments to close the gap between policy and practice.”

A policy webinar to discuss the brief’s findings and recommendations is planned for 10 October, marking World Mental Health Day.

The release of the brief aligns with the EU Drug Policy Campaign 2025, which calls on EU institutions to adopt a health- and rights-based approach in the upcoming EU Drug Strategy (2026–2030).

This publication is part of the EU-funded BOOST project, which supports community-led advocacy for inclusive health systems across Europe.

Read the full policy brief here>>>.

 

Policy Paper: “Harm Reduction Works! A call to invest in a European health-based drug policy”

Posted on by DPNSEE

The new policy paper outlines urgent recommendations for the EU and Member States, including

  1. Making drug use an EU health priority;
  2. Ensuring a balanced EU Drug Strategy 2026–2030;
  3. Establishing dedicated EU-level funding for harm reduction; and
  4. Prioritising decriminalisation and responsible regulation.

You can also find our “Communication Package & Advocacy Toolkit” for your use.

This toolkit supports civil society and national stakeholders to engage with policymakers at both the EU and national levels. It includes a Canva template for translating the policy paper; ready-to-use social media content and visuals; customisable email templates for outreach; and advocacy tips and ideas for national action.

Read the full policy paper here>>>.