13 Dec

Sixty-second Regular Session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)

The upcoming session of CICAD will be held in Washington DC. CICAD is the Western Hemisphere’s policy forum for dealing with the drug problem. The CICAD Executive Secretariat supports the Commission by strengthening the human and institutional capabilities and channeling the collective efforts of its member states to reduce the production, trafficking and use of illegal drugs.

27 Nov

Annual Meeting of the CSF

27-29 November – The Civil Society Forum on Drugs is a platform for a structured dialogue between the European Commission and civil society. It will meet in Brussels to report on the work done and to hold a dialogue with representatives of the European Institutions.

06 Nov

20th IFNGO World Conference

06-08 November – The 27^th IFNGO World Conference will be held in Macao under the theme “Understanding addiction, treatment, prevention and harm reduction policy”.

06 Nov

39th meeting of the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence

06-10 November – The WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence will gather in Geneva (Switzerland) to review a number of psychoactive substances with potential for dependence and abuse and make recommendations to the UN Secretary-General

20 Sep

16th European Federation of Therapeutic Communities Conference

Pathways of Care to Recovery

The European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC) was established in 1981 and is a network of drug and alcohol treatment communities across Europe, and internationally, all learning from each other whilst ensuring delivery of quality and evidence based treatment and rehabilitation services.

EFTC conference provides a learning platform for participants to present scientific and practitioner based research and to exchange ideas in relation to the conference themes:

• Gender, women and families
• Treatment in prison and secure environments
• Mental health, well-being and intellectual difficulties

Organised by Coolmine TC, Department of Health (Ireland) and European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC) this conference is an important knowledge exchange, learning and networking opportunity for academics, students and professionals in the substance abuse field.

Abstract Submission

As an effective knowledge transfer event, attending the EFTC conference means you will learn, be inspired by discussion and debates, and be motivated in your day-to-day work through new research, skills and networking with colleagues.

The deadline for abstract submission is June 30^th, 2017. Organizers seek 20 minute presentations in relation to the conference themes. Notifications to applicants will be issued in early July 2017.

More information

Download abstract submission form

26 Jun

WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours

The World Health Organization (WHO) Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse organizes, for the first time, the global Forum on alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours (FADAB) with a primary goal to enhance public health actions in these areas by strengthening partnerships and collaboration among public health oriented organizations, networks and institutions in the era of Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

The Forum will provide an opportunity for a diverse group of stakeholders to build new and develop existing partnerships, networks and collaborative projects as well as discuss a variety of topics.

Should you wish to participate please send your details to info@vngoc.org or directly to WHO at msb@who.int.

19 Jun

OAS General Assembly in Mexico

The 47^th regular session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) will take place on June 19-21, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. The theme of the Assembly, selected by Mexico in its capacity as host country of the event, will be: “Strengthening Dialogue and Concertation for Prosperity”.

The main activity planned for Civil Society at the General Assembly is the “Dialogue of Heads of Delegation, the Secretary General, the Assistant Secretary General and Representatives of Civil Society Organizations, Workers, the Private Sector and Other Social Actors”.

The Dialogue will be divided into segments on the following three thematic areas:

• Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law
• Integral Development and Prosperity in the Hemisphere
• Multidimensional Security

It is important to note that these same three thematic areas will be part of the intergovernmental panels to be carried out at the General Assembly.

In order to center civil society efforts in preparation for this Dialogue, the work of civil society organizations will be carried out through thematic coalitions to be established by a process of self-management on the part of the organizations.

Civil society organizations registered with the OAS and who wish to attend the 47 regular session of the OAS General Assembly must send the following documents regarding their organizations:

• A communication (letter or email) to the OAS Secretary General, indicating their interest in attending the OAS General Assembly, and specifying the names of up to two representatives from their organization who will attend the event.
• A report on the activity of the organization for 20116.

More information on the OAS web site

• General information on the Assembly
• Host country web site
• Schedule of the session
• Information bulletin to civil society
• List of invited CSOs

06 Jun

CND Intersessional Meeting

The third Intersessional Meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) will be held Tuesday, 6 June 2017 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  at the Vienna International Centre in Board-Room D (4th floor of the C-Building)

The provisional agenda for the intersessional meeting is as follows:

• Follow up to the regular 60th session of the CND
• Preparations for the reconvened 60th session
• Follow up to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem
• Contributions to the work of the Economic and Social Council
• Other business

All organisations in consultative status with ECOSOC are invited to send observers. Please send in your registration to info@vngoc.org or sgb@unodc.org with your full name and your organisations full name no later than 26 May 2017.

Should your organisation not be in consultative status with ECOSOC please send in your application (name of designated observer, name of organisation, reason why you wish to observe) to info@vngoc.org no later than 24 May 2017.

Please be aware we are only able to provide a small number of additional observation spots for this intersessional.

30 May

The Future of EU Drug Policy

The European commission notes that at least 6800 people died from overdose in the EU in 2014 and that there has been no recorded decrease in the use of drugs since 2013. To minimize adverse effects of drug abuse and overdose fatalities, the Commission recommends upscaling harm reduction measures and best practices on treatment between member states.

As part of the mid-term review of the EU Drugs Strategy, the European Commission has put forward a proposal for a new Action Plan (2017-2020). This event aims to:

• Provide an overview on drugs policies in Europe and the scale of the problem;
• Present European Commission’s plan for the coming years
• Raise awareness of the best practices in harm reduction promoted by the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Discuss how to tackle barriers to treatment and prevent drug-related deaths.

Information: Grace Jett gj@cabinetdn.com

18 May

Children and Youth’s Mental Health for the Realization of SDGs

1:00 to 2:00 pm: meetings of working groups on racism, trauma, children, refugees, human rights, gender, media and non-communicable diseases

2:00 to 4:00 pm: Panel discussion

Introductory remarks and moderator, Saionara König-Reis (Dianova International) – “The interlinkages between children and youth’s mental health and the sustainable development goals”.

Speakers

Maria Pia Belloni Mignatti, World Organization for Early Childhood education (OMEP) and Chair of the NGO Committee on Migration – “The importance of early childhood development in alleviating childhood trauma, toxic stress and deprivation.”

Shervin Shadianloo, M.D., Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Hofstra Northwell School of  Medicine – “Gender and Sexuality minorities in Children and Youth’s development.”

Dana Kaplan M.D., Child Abuse Specialist, Staten Island University Hospital – “The impact of  child abuse to the mental health.”

• NGO Committee on Mental Health
• More on the collaboration between Dianova and federations and networks of NGOs

24 Mar

2017 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference

• Educational programming. The core conference program will include prominent keynote speakers and panels addressing the hottest topics in policy, harm reduction, leadership, organizing, and advocacy.

• Awards Ceremony + Dance Party. SSDP recognizes outstanding network members with an annual awards ceremony followed by a dance party.

• Student Congress. Our annual student board member election and governing resolution process invites all SSDP members to participate in defining their SSDP.
• And more. An alumni gathering, regional meetups, networking meals, and other events offer nearly non-stop opportunities to connect with advocates and leaders of the drug policy reform movement!

About SSDP

13 Mar

60th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

Meetings

The Commission holds annual sessions in the first half of the year, as well as one-day reconvened sessions at the end of each year to consider administrative and budgetary matters. In addition, inter-sessional meetings of the Commission are convened to finalize the provisional agenda of the Commission; to address organizational and substantive matters; and to provide continuous and effective policy guidance.

60th Session of the CND: Side Events Organized by Dianova Member Organizations and their Partners

Side events including meetings, presentations or panel discussions may be organised by member states, intergovernmental or non-governmental organisations on topics relevant to the work of CND but outside the formal agenda of the Commission. This year, the side events organized by Dianova and its partners include:

Monday, 13 March

“The Triple R Project: Rehabilitation, Social Reinsertion and Justice Intervention. Highlights and Suggestions for Policymakers and Practitioners”

• Organized by the San Patrignano Foundation, Dianova Spain, Basta Sweden, Popov Belgium, World Federation Against Drugs, Recovered Users Network and EURAD.

Wednesday, 15 March

“The Versatility of Therapeutic Communities” 

• Organized by Dianova International, Proyecto Hombre Association and KETHEA.

The therapeutic community model is one of the most effective approaches to helping addicted people and their families in their rehabilitation and recovery process. The panel will explore how therapeutic communities have been able to provide solutions tailored to a wide range of profiles and behavioural patterns related to substance and non-substance addictions. In addition, participants will show how therapeutic communities have taken advantage of their facilities to develop alternative or complementary programmes, including methadone maintenance or detoxification programmes, treatment of dual pathology, gender-specific programmes, etc.

Thursday, 16 March

“Drug Awareness on Adults: A Five Step Approach to Prevention”

• Organized by the Turkish Green Crescent, Dianova Portugal, EURAD, and NTAKK

Developed by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, ‘Drug Awareness on Adults’ (DAWAP), is an international project funded by Erasmus to increase drug addiction awareness amongst adults in Turkey, Portugal, Holland, and Lithuania.

This project is implemented in a five step model, comprised of a Staff Training Program (STP); Pre- and Post- Surveys on Awareness; Strategic Communication Plan (SCP); and International Competition. This event will open up a discussion on the drug awareness levels of adults in different countries by providing original data conducted in partner countries. Other subjects for discussion will include information on communication strategies to increase awareness among parents.

13 Mar

61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61)

The sixty-first session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 13 to 24 March 2017. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is a global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

CSW61

The sixty-first session of the Commission will address as its priority theme ‘Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work’. In addition, it will evaluate progress in the implementation of the agreed conclusions from the fifty-eighth session (2014) on ‘Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls’.

NGO Participation

The active participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is a critical element in the work of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). NGOs have been influential in shaping the current global policy framework on women’s empowerment and gender equality: the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. They continue to play an important role in holding international and national leaders accountable for the commitments they made in the Platform for Action.

Side Events

The programme of side events, or activities organized outside the formal programme of the session of the Commission, provides an excellent opportunity for Member States, UN entities and NGOs to discuss themes of the Commission and other critical gender equality issues.

March 16

Violence, Crises, Adversity, and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Implications for Global Health and Well-Being of Women and Children.

March 18

Empowerment through Education: Women’s Participation in Decision Making Processes and Economic Life

March 21

Countering Xenophobia: The Social and Economic Contribution of Migrant Women

March 22

Challenges and Opportunities for Migrant Women Economic Empowerment

March 23

Innovations in Educational, Technology & Mental Health for Economic and Social Empowerment.

02 Feb

Peaceful Solutions to the War on Drugs: Collective Voices from the Frontline

Three grassroots organizations representing the frontline of the drug war; people who have used drugs , families, criminal justice professionals and the two leading drug policy reform organizations have created a coalition. We invite you to an evening of discussion and debate with the aim of growing this movement for peace. The Scottish Recovery consortium will be chairing this event

Recovering Justice: Founded by people in recovery from substance use who believe that the criminalization and stigmatization of people who use drugs is inhumane, ineffective counterproductive and costly.

Anyone’s Child:Families for Safer Drug Control : an international network of families whose lives have been wrecked by current drug laws and are now campaigning to change them. We believe that our drug laws need to properly protect our children. That’s why we urgently need a new approach to keep all of our families safe.

Transform: A charitable think tank campaigning for an end to the drug war. They actively campaign for drug law reform, including the legal regulation of drug production supply and use. “Transform has been at the cutting edge of drug policy analysis for almost 20 years and is recognized as one of the motivating forces for global reform” Ruth Dreifuss former President of Switzerland.

 The Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC): A recovery-orientated charity. We exist to build and promote recovery from addictions in Scotland using means and messages that are consistent with the values and practices of recovery from addictions.

Release: The national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. The organization campaigns for evidenced-based drug policies that are founded on principles of public health rather than a criminal justice approach.

Leap UK: An organization made up of current and former members of the law enforcement and criminal justice communities who are speaking out about the failures of our existing drug policies.

View source

31 Jan

Conference HepHIV 2017

HepHIV 2017 Conference: HIV and Viral Hepatitis: Challenges of Timely Testing and Care

HIV in Europe has had a long lasting aim of improving testing and linkage to care, and in addition to 2017 marking 10 years of HIV in Europe it is also the final year of the OptTEST by HiE project. The various work packages in OptTEST have been working on different areas of improving testing and linkage to care, and results from what they have been working on will be presented during the HepHIV 2017 Conference.

All registrations and abstract submissions for the conference must be submitted through the online registration system. Before you can register, you need to create a conference profile from which you can enter the registration system.

The Conference will take place in Malta from 31 January to 2 February 2017 on Corinthia Hotel, located at the entrance to St- George’s Bay.