The International Drug Policy Reform Conference 2025, hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), took place in Detroit (United States) from 12-15 November. Held biennially, the event brings together individuals working on the full range of drug policy issues from across the United States and around the world to share knowledge, learn from one another, and strategize.

During the conference, the Global Commission organized its seventh consultation under the project “Transforming Drug Policy: A Focus on Children and Youth”. The Detroit consultation examined the harms that drug policies cause to children and young people in North America, while also incorporating perspectives from Central and Latin America and beyond. Participants identified the most pressing issues affecting children and young people and the challenges they face in addressing them. Building on these consultations and through ongoing sector partnerships and awareness-raising efforts, the Global Commission will release a dedicated policy brief on children, youth, and drug policy in April 2026.