This report assesses progress since the  2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem, examining how the global drug control framework has influenced reform efforts. Drawing on UN data, academic research, and civil society input, it finds that meaningful change has been limited. The report highlights the need to modernize international drug control treaties, strengthen health- and human rights–based approaches, and reform UN drug policy governance.

The foreword was authored by Commissioner Juan Manuel Santos, who played a key role in convening the 2016 UNGASS, and he also addressed the report launch on 3 February in Geneva.

This report, the 23rd of the  Národního monitorovacího střediska pro drogy a závislosti (NMS) (National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addiction [NMS]), provides an overview of the situation and recent developments in illicit drug use in the Czech Republic. It reviews legislation and policy frameworks, patterns and prevalence of drug use, prevention, treatment and harm reduction services, drug-related crime, and trends in drug markets. The analysis draws on the most recent national data available through 2025 and, where possible, presents trends over the past decade to support monitoring and policy planning.

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This study assesses the initial community impact of Ireland’s first medically supervised injecting facility during its first four months of operation. Using systematic patrol data before and after opening, it examines changes in discarded needles, drug-related litter, public injecting, and loitering. Findings show significant reductions in drug-related litter and loitering, stable levels of public injecting, and a non-significant decline in discarded needles, contributing early evidence to inform policy and evaluation.

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This report presents an unedited manuscript examining a Health Impact Assessment to inform a proposed pilot providing safer inhalation devices for people who smoke crack cocaine in Wales. Drawing on a participatory process involving service providers, public health actors and people with lived experience, it identifies potential health, social and service impacts. The assessment highlights reduced infection risks and increased service engagement, alongside implementation challenges, and outlines considerations to guide pilot design, delivery and evaluation. Findings are preliminary and subject to revision prior to final publication.

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Young sex workers who use drugs face compounded criminalization and stigma that heighten their exposure to violence and limit access to health, social, and harm reduction services. A global Youth RISE working group highlights the importance of peer-led, youth-focused services, decriminalization, and meaningful engagement of young sex workers who use drugs in policy, service design, and research to uphold their agency, reduce harm, and address structural inequities.

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The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) invites proposals to conduct an impact evaluation of its People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) Portfolio, assessing contributions to drug policy reform, harm reduction, and HIV outcomes across six priority countries and globally. Applications are due 15 February 2026. For details and submissions, contact Miguel Camacho.

Submission Deadline: 15 February 2026, End of Day (GMT)

Visit the EJAF website for more information