ALICE RAP Addiction and Lifestyles in Contemporary Europe Reframing Addictions Project

This year’s theme – ‘Call for Leadership’ – reflects the urgent need to address critical issues faced by the harm reduction response. The 2015 target set by the international community of reducing HIV among people who inject drugs by half has been missed by a staggering amount, a failure that is now further undermined by the growing funding gap in the harm reduction response due to changing donor priorities. Empowered and engaged leadership among civil society organisations, including networks of people who use drugs, sex workers and people living with HIV, are key to challenging this crisis, as is leadership from national governments such as Malaysia, which through domestic support for harm reduction programming has achieved significant reductions in HIV infection among people who inject drugs. Leadership is also demanded as the international community approaches important UN General Assembly meetings on both drug policy and HIV in 2016.

Through a 4-day programme of keynote speakers, presentations on research and practice, training workshops, exhibitions, films and networking events, the conference will create a multidimensional and interactive space that inspires, connects and shares ideas and solutions among the diverse harm reductions community.