Harm Reduction International

Trump escalates war on drugs, homeless, & mental health. A statement from Kassandra Frederique We are deeply alarmed by President Trump’s recent executive order threatening to withhold federal funding from cities that don’t aggressively ticket and arrest people experiencing homelessness. The order frames drug use as the cause of homelessness and promotes forced treatment, civil commitment, and other coercive responses—none of which address the root causes or offer real solutions. This is not policy rooted in care or evidence. It’s an attack on people whose only “crime” is being unable to afford a place to live or access the mental healthcare they need. President Trump isn’t proposing to house people—he’s proposing to jail them. His plan would funnel people into prisons or government-run detention centers, not into permanent housing or support. And it comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” becoming law and other harmful actions that pour billions into enforcement and incarceration—while slashing funding for Medicaid, housing, healthcare, and mental health services, lifelines that millions of Americans rely on to survive.

Let’s be clear: our nation’s housing crisis is real. More people are living on the streets today than at any point in recent history. That’s because housing costs are skyrocketing, wages are too low, and the social safety net is being dismantled. And when people are suffering, some turn to drugs to cope or survive. On the street, some use stimulants to stay awake for safety, or use substances like opioids to numb pain. The answer to their suffering isn’t punishment—it’s care. We all want fewer overdoses, safer streets, and neighborhoods where children can play freely. But we must ask: how do we actually get there? If we’re serious about solutions, we must invest in what works—accessible treatment, stable housing, mental healthcare, and real community-based support. These are the investments that save lives and build strong, thriving communities. Yet President Trump’s approach is more arrests, more jail time, and more crackdowns. But if punishment worked, wouldn’t it have worked by now?

For decades, the U.S. has tried to arrest its way out of the drug and overdose crisis. The result? Nearly one million lives lost to overdose. Families devastated. People stuck in a cycle of going to jail and right back to the street, without real help. At the Drug Policy Alliance, we are fighting for real solutions—because we are serious about saving lives. Continue to stand with us in rejecting this punishment-first agenda and demanding policies rooted in care, connection, and dignity. In solidarity, Kassandra Frederique Executive Director Drug Policy Alliance

We all want safer streets. But instead of investing in what works—housing, treatment, mental healthcare, & community support—President Trump is proposing to put people into prisons or detentions centers instead, while cutting funding & access to Medicaid, housing, & healthcare.

Using drugs doesn’t make people less worthy of having a roof to live under. Housing promotes health, stability, safety and dignity.

We can reimagine drug policies to centre people and care.

Learn more about decolonising drug policy on our YouTube channel.🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@HarmReductionInternational

People who use drugs are at greater risk of acquiring hepatitis B and hepatitis C. This can be related to sharing drug use equipment as well as sexual activities. Integrating harm reduction services is essential to prevent hepatitis.

We can live in a world where drug policies uphold dignity, health, and rights. But we must invest in solutions that work.

Visit www.investinjustice.net/ to learn more.

People - Harm Reduction International

We’re excited to welcome four new trustees to Harm Reduction International: Tony Duffin, Kirsten Horsburgh, Palani Narayanan & Tatyana Sleiman.

We're thrilled to have their guidance as we continue to advocate for health and rights around the world.

On #WorldDrugDay & the #SupportDontPunish Day, we call on @UNODC & the @CND_tweets to:

❗️End the death penalty for drug offences.
❗️Uphold international law.

Read our statement: hri.global/publications/unodc-and-cnd-should-take-urgent-action-against-death-penalty-for-drugs/

These deaths are the direct result of punitive drug laws — and of the global failure to prioritise human rights in drug policy. We will not be able to abolish the death penalty without drug policy reform.

The Funding Crisis of Harm Reduction – An Interview with Catherine Cook At the 28th Harm Reduction International Conference, we spoke with Catherine Cook from Harm Reduction International about the state of harm reduction funding and the global impact of U.S. foreign aid cuts under Trump.

“It’s worse than a crisis. It’s a catastrophe for harm reduction funding."

HRI's Catherine Cook on how chronic underfunding is putting millions at risk, especially in low- and middle-income countries. 

📢 251 community and civil society organisations sent a letter urging the European Commission to renew and increase their commitment to the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. We call for a safer future!

🔗 Read more: https://aidsfonds.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/AIDSFONDS_LH.pdf

Drog4s AFROCHINGONAS · Episode

You can't miss this podcast episode by @afrochingonas, touching on racism, radical rest, and the war on drugs in Latin America at the #HR25Bogotá conference. We're delighted by the results of this collaboration! 👇

Harm Reduction Journal The Harm Reduction Journal is an open access, community-focused journal for research on reducing risks and harms associated with drug use, gambling, online ...

The Harm Reduction Journal remembers Naomi Burke-Shyne: harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/

We are deeply saddened by the news of Peter Krykant's passing. He was a courageous activist and a passionate advocate for harm reduction and drug policy reform. Our thoughts are with his family and close friends. www.remembr.com/en/peter.krykant

Just over a month ago, the global harm reduction movement came together in Bogotá for #HR25Bogotá.

This was more than a conference. It was a celebration of community and resistance. Harm reduction is no longer on the margins — it is at the centre of the conversation.

‘People think prison is for rehabilitation. It is all lies’: could community service work better than jail? Colombia has seen a surge in the number of female inmates – many poor, from rural areas and convicted of drug offences. Now a radical scheme could release thousands to support their families

The Guardian reports from inside the Buen Pastor women's prison in Bogotá, Colombia as part of an international media visit we organised during #HR25Bogotá.

www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/01/prison-rehabilitation-colombia-community-service-women-jail

‘People think prison is for rehabilitation. It is all lies’: could community service work better than jail? Colombia has seen a surge in the number of female inmates – many poor, from rural areas and convicted of drug offences. Now a radical scheme could release thousands to support their families

From #HR25Bogotá: The Guardian reports on Colombia’s attempt at a new approach, pivoting away from punitive policies towards solutions that prioritise community, health, and justice.

www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/01/prison-rehabilitation-colombia-community-service-women-jail

‘People think prison is for rehabilitation. It is all lies’: could community service work better than jail? Colombia has seen a surge in the number of female inmates – many poor, from rural areas and convicted of drug offences. Now a radical scheme could release thousands to support their families

Colombia’s female prison population has increased more than fivefold since 1991, largely driven by drug laws that disproportionately punish women.

Now Colombia is attempting a new approach – pivoting from punishment to rehabilitation.

www.theguardian.com/global-devel... @mickessler.bsky.social

Harm reduction in Colombia Colombia's progressive drug policy reforms include the prioritisation of harm reduction, but campaigners fear advances are at risk. Jacqui Thornton reports.

From #HR25Bogotá: @thelancet.com reports on Colombia’s shift toward harm reduction, including South America’s first drug consumption room— Project Cambie run by our conference partners @echelecabeza.bsky.social www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01028-1/abstract

We are deeply saddened by the news that Naomi Burke-Shyne, a global leader in the harm reduction movement and a powerful voice for justice, passed away last Tuesday. During her time at Harm Reduction International, we had the honour of working closely with Naomi and witnessing her deep commitment to championing people who use drugs and her colleagues. Naomi was a passionate, fearless leader whose work challenged stigma, transformed policy, and brought us closer to ending AIDS. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and inspired. We extend our sympathies to Naomi’s loved ones, friends, and everyone in the global harm reduction and HIV communities during this difficult time. From all of us here at the Elton John AIDS Foundation - thank you, Naomi x

We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Naomi Burke-Shyne - a fearless advocate, a powerful leader, and a committed partner in the global mission to end AIDS. Her legacy lives on in the lives she changed and the movement she helped shape.

Thank you, Naomi 🧡 @harmreductionintl.bsky.social

It is heartbreaking to start my Bluesky engagement with this very sad posting honoring Naomi's life: www.remembr.com/naomi.burke-... If you are a part of #harmreduction or #drugpolicy community & have not yet contributed, please do so. So much love, gratitude & admiration. And such tremendous loss

We are heartbroken by the passing of Naomi Burke-Shyne, former ED of @harmreductionintl.bsky.social, fearless harm reduction leader and advocate for human rights.
Naomi not only a visionary strategist, but a warm soul whose compassion touched every heart.
Deep condolences to her loved ones.
💔

The team are sad to hear this news. Naomi was a captivating speaker & her commitment and drive for human rights based harm reduction set the foundations. We need to strive to do more in her memory 😇 😢

Our hearts are heavy today.
It is with deep sorrow that we say goodbye to Naomi Burke-Shyne: an inspiring leader, a compassionate advocate and a dear friend of Skoun.

Absolutely devastating news

Naomi was a remarkable human - a brilliant mind, a visionary leader and a dear friend.

She will be terribly missed

RIP 💔

We have set up this page for anyone who would like to share a memorial for Naomi: www.remembr.com/naomi.burke-shyne

Our deepest sympathies are with Naomi’s family and loved ones. Rest in peace, beautiful Naomi.

Naomi was a brilliant, visionary leader and the most genuine and caring person in and out of the workplace. We are all heartbroken. The harm reduction movement has lost a shining light.

It is with heavy hearts that we at Harm Reduction International share the news that our much loved, former Executive Director, Naomi Burke-Shyne, passed away yesterday.

It's a wrap! Thank you for joining us at #HR25Bogotá. We hope you enjoyed this space full of brilliant people and meaningful conversations.