Irena Molnar et al. (Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network) – 25 November 2025
Beyond the Numbers: Harm Reduction Across South-Eastern Europe
Harm reduction in Southeast Europe (SEE) stands at a crossroads — sustained by community resilience rather than political will. The Beyond Numbers report by Irena Molnar et al. highlights deep regional disparities: while Slovenia and Greece maintain nationwide OAT and testing, Croatia is making progress toward establishing drug checking services, and Bulgaria’s “Pink House” continues as a model of community resilience. At the same time, North Macedonia and Serbia are facing the closure of NSP services, following earlier shutdowns in Bosnia and Herzegovina — leaving large parts of the region without basic coverage. No country provides needle exchange in prisons, and access to HCV care remains limited and conditional. Despite these setbacks, harm reduction organisations persist through innovation and solidarity. The report calls for renewed investment, policy integration, and recognition of harm reduction as essential healthcare across Southeast Europe.
