The Czech government is reportedly dismissing National Drug Coordinator Pavel Bém and dismantling the country’s internationally respected evidence-based drug policy model in a move experts warn could shift policy toward a more punitive and ideological direction.

How could evidence-based psychedelic therapies help address war-related mental health challenges in Ukraine, particularly PTSD among veterans? This was the main question of the European Parliament event held on 6 May, which Drugreporter captured on video in its entirety. Watch the full session now!

The meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs held in Vienna this spring showed how international drug policy is moving slowly. That is why every entry on harm reduction, human rights and public health is politically significant – a guest article by Aleksi Hupli, a Finnish researcher, first published in Finnish by A-Clinic Foundation.

With the new EU drug strategy now adopted, key questions remain about its direction and implementation—especially the balance between public health, human rights, and security. We spoke with Anna Dovbakh, Chair of the Civil Society Forum on Drugs, about what the strategy means in practice and the role of civil society moving forward.

As Hungary heads toward a pivotal election, the camera turns on two of its most prominent drug policy advocates. In this interview conducted by Arild Knutsen, Drugreporter founders Péter Sárosi and István Gábor Takács reflect on decades of activism—and explain why they are now taking their fight to the streets to challenge an increasingly repressive system.

On December 6, something extraordinary happened on Kossuth Square in front of the Hungarian Parliament. What began as a response to escalating police harassment of musicians, clubs, and young partygoers transformed into a vibrant, peaceful celebration of community, culture, and freedom: Dance for Freedom (Tánc a Szabadságért). [Updated with video!]

A pre-dawn house search targeting 8th-district opposition candidate Alexander Horváth reveals how Hungary’s “war on drugs” has become a political weapon — deployed to intimidate dissent and control narratives ahead of elections.

The Trump administration’s slashing of foreign aid is already having a devastating impact on harm reduction and HIV services around the world. But the harmful effects extend far beyond that. Drugreporter interviewed key experts at the annual UN drugs meeting, the CND in Vienna, to provide a clear picture of the real impacts.

At its bi-annual gathering the European harm reduction movement addressed the multiple challenges of our time: rising populism, shrinking space for civil society, changing drug markets and changing needs of people who use drugs. Watch our film we produced at the conference!

The EU’s drug monitoring agency organised a meeting with civil society in Lisbon to discuss future cooperation outlined in its new mandate. Read this short report about the meeting by Marie Nougier (IDPC) and Peter Sarosi!