At a time when civic space is shrinking across many parts of the world, organized crime continues to profit from unregulated drug markets, and punitive drug policies increasingly come under criticism, participants explored how Nordic countries can develop common responses rooted in shared values such as equality, dignity, trust, freedom of expression, and strong welfare systems.
The conference brought together speakers from across Europe and beyond to discuss topics including harm reduction, legal regulation, decriminalization, organized crime, and the importance of involving people who use drugs in policymaking processes. Throughout the discussions, one message repeatedly emerged: drug policy is not only a public health issue, but also a question of human rights and democracy. (You can watch all presentations on video here.)
The conference culminated with a letter of 10 drug policy recommendations to be handed over to the Nordic Council and each nordic country as well as a founding charter of the Nordic Network for Human Rights and Drug Policy.
Drugreporter attended the conference in Oslo and interviewed several speakers and participants about the challenges and opportunities facing drug policy reform in the Nordic countries and internationally. In this video, they reflect on why a human rights-based approach is essential for building more effective, humane, and sustainable drug policies.
Speakers featured in the video include Arild Knutsen, John Melhus, Janne Bøhmer Killingstad, Marion Westli Johannessen, and Michelle Alexandra Muren (Association for Humane Drug Policy – FHR, Norway); Anne Lindboe, Mayor of Oslo; Chris Kohlbacher (Huset Oslo, Norway); Kai Spurkland and Eivind Digranes (Norwegian Human Rights Institution – NIM, Norway); and Frank Conde Tangberg (Amnesty Norway).
Other participants include Svala Jóhannesdóttir (Mathildur Harm Reduction, Iceland) and Markús Darri Arnoddsson, peer worker from Iceland; Andrea Thuesen (Gadejuristen, Denmark), Jonas Demant Christiansen (Drug Users’ Academy, Denmark), and Ejgil Gundersen (Danish Drug Users Union, Denmark); Julia Sangervo, Deputy Member of Parliament and Vice-Chairman of the Pirkanmaa Green Regional Council Group, Tuukka Tammi (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare – THL), Aleksi Hupli (Tampere University), and Mika Luoma-Aho (University of Lapland) from Finland; as well as Johan Wicklén, author and journalist, Christine Sander, Magnus Brahn and Robban Widell (National Organization for Relatives of Drug Users – BARO), , and Robert Sanderö (The Association for Humane Drug Policy, Sweden).
The film also features Neil Woods (Law Enforcement Action Partnership, UK); Jenna-Rose Astwood (International Coalition on Drug Policy and Environmental Justice); Leo-founder of the o Jefferys (European Network of People who Use Drugs); Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam; Damon Barrett, Professor at the University of Gothenburg and International Centre on Human Rights and Drug Policy; Ann Fordham (International Drug Policy Consortium); and Anton Basenko (International Network of People who Use Drugs).
Reporter: Péter Sárosi
Video: István Gábor Takács
Additional conference video: Aleksi Hupli, Mikko Laajola, Mikko Neuvo and Kalle Polkutie
