The day in Brussels continued with meetings across European institutions and services on the ground. Global Commissioners @HelenClarkNZ and Ruth Dreifuss, together with Michel @Kazatchkine (also member of the Eastern and Central European and Central Asian Commission on Drug Policy), met with the office of European Council President @eucopresident and senior Council officials to discuss drug policy within Europe’s wider political agenda. While discussions with DG ENEST focused on drug policy in the context of EU enlargement, and the importance of ensuring that evidence, public health and human rights inform policy as countries move closer to the European Union. The day concluded with a visit to Modus Fiesta @AsblModus seeing first-hand how harm reduction and drug checking are put into practice in Brussels. From European institutions to services on the ground, effective drug policy needs to connect policy, evidence and lived realities. #DrugPolicy #DrugPolicyReform #EuropeanUnion #PublicHealth #HumanRights #HarmReduction #Brussels #GlobalCommissionOnDrugPolicy

A valuable visit to DUNE ( dune-asbl.be// ) in Brussels today, seeing first-hand how low-threshold harm reduction, healthcare and social support can reach people who are too often left behind. Effective drug policy starts with meeting people where they are - with dignity, care and without stigma. — Visite très utile à DUNE ( dune-asbl.be// ) à Bruxelles aujourd’hui, pour voir concrètement comment la réduction des risques, les soins et l’accompagnement social à bas seuil permettent d’atteindre des personnes trop souvent laissées de côté. Une politique des drogues efficace commence par aller vers les personnes là où elles se trouvent - avec dignité, attention et sans stigmatisation. @HelenClarkNZ @Kazatchkine

Starting our Brussels visit with an important exchange with Belgium’s National Drugs Commissioner, @IneWymersch Commissioners @HelenClarkNZ, Ruth Dreifuss and Michel @Kazatchkine discussed the challenges facing Belgium, and the need for drug policies that balance public health, human rights and responses to organised crime. #DrugPolicy #Brussels

Continuing our Brussels visit with European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration @magnusbrunner. Commissioners @HelenClarkNZ, Ruth Dreifuss and Michel @Kazatchkine discussed the future of EU drug policy and the importance of ensuring that responses to drug markets and organised crime are accompanied by evidence-based approaches grounded in public health and human rights. #DrugPolicy #EU

How can drug policy better protect the rights, health and well-being of children and young people? At "Youth and Drugs: Rethinking the Rules" / « Les jeunes et la drogue : repenser les règles », #GCDP, @UNHumanRights, @Genevaforum & @unige_en brought together Commissioners Ruth Dreifuss and @Kazatchkine, Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE), Shivani Verma (@UNHumanRights), Barbara Broers (UNIGE) & moderator Stéphane Bussard (@LeTemps). The discussion highlighted the need for evidence-based, people-centered approaches that protect young people’s rights, health & well-being, alongside meaningful youth participation. 📖 Read GCDP’s policy brief: globalcommissionondrugs.org/…

Join the #GCDP, @UNHumanRights, @Genevaforum and @unige_en Faculty of Medicine for “Youth and Drugs: Rethinking the Rules / Les jeunes et la drogue : repenser les règles” for an in-person event at the University of Geneva. 🗓️ Wednesday, 30 September at 18:30–20:00 (followed by a reception) 📍 Room “MS150” - University of Geneva (UNIGE), Uni Mail, 40 Boulevard du Pont-d'Arve, 1205 Geneva 🎟️ For more information and registration for in person participation (which is mandatory), please click here: genevahealthforum.com/events… With Commissioners Ruth Dreifuss and @Kazatchkine, Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE) , Shivani Verma @UNHumanRights) and Barbara Broers (UNIGE), moderated by Stéphane Bussard (@LeTemps).

On the sidelines of the #UNGA81 in New York, the Global Commission brought together global, community and youth perspectives to examine how drug policies affect the rights, health and well-being of children and young people - and what needs to change. With @HelenClarkNZ, Zeinab Hijazi (@UNICEF), Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE) and Maria Camila Cuellar (Tiempo de Juego), moderated by Mandeep Dhaliwal (@UNDP). The discussion focused on making children and young people visible in drug policy - and ensuring their rights, experiences and voices inform the decisions that affect their lives. Read more about the issues discussed and the Commission’s recommendations in our latest report: globalcommissionondrugs.org/… #DrugPolicy #ChildRights #YouthRights #UNGA81

📢 How do drug policies affect children and young people - and what needs to change? Join the #GCDP, @UNHumanRights, @Genevaforum and @unige_en Faculty of Medicine for “Youth and Drugs: Rethinking the Rules / Les jeunes et la drogue : repenser les règles” for an in-person event at the University of Geneva. 🗓️ Wednesday, 30 September at 18:30–20:00 (followed by a reception) 📍 Room “MS150” - University of Geneva (UNIGE), Uni Mail, 40 Boulevard du Pont-d'Arve, 1205 Geneva 🎟️ For more information and registration for in person participation (which is mandatory), please click here: genevahealthforum.com/events… With Commissioners Ruth Dreifuss and @Kazatchkine, Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE) , Shivani Verma @UNHumanRights) and Barbara Broers (UNIGE), moderated by Stéphane Bussard (@LeTemps).

Today in New Haven, Commissioner @HelenClarkNZ visited @desk_nhv Drop-in & Resource Center to learn more about its work providing low-barrier, community-based support to people experiencing homelessness. The visit offered an opportunity to see how harm reduction can be integrated into a broader continuum of care — connecting people with essential services, health care, housing support and the resources they need, while meeting people where they are. Thank you to the DESK team for welcoming us, and to @MayorElicker and the New Haven Youth Commission for continuing the conversation on community-led and evidence-based approaches and the perspectives of young people in New Haven. #HarmReduction #DrugPolicy #NewHaven