On the eve of her departure from her post as the Ambassador of Colombia to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, we spoke to Ambassador Laura Gil about her time in Vienna, her achievements, the challenges she faced as well as her hopes for the future of international drug policy.
Drug Policy and Law
Stop the crackdown – Save lives: Defend civil society and the rule of law in Hungary
In this global sign-on letter, 116 civil society organisations from 47 countries raise the alarm over the ‘war on drugs’ launched by the Hungarian government in March 2025, which has resulted in aggressive police interventions targeting people who use drugs, and a concerning crackdown on harm reduction service providers and civil society organisations promoting human rights-centred drug policies.
Coca, Harm Reduction, and Reconciliation – An Interview with Diego Andrés Lugo-Vivas
At the 28th Harm Reduction International Conference, we spoke with Diego Andrés Lugo-Vivas about the impact of the Drug War in Colombia and how the philosophy of harm reduction could be applied to the coca leaf. Watch the video!
Drug Policy Prospects in Trump’s Second Term – An Interview with Ethan Nadelmann
At the 28th Harm Reduction International Conference, we had the chance to speak with Ethan Nadelmann, founder of the Drug Policy Alliance in the United States, about the present and future of drug policy during Donald Trump’s second term as president. Watch the video here!
COSS MARTE: From Convict to Cannabis CEO in New York
Watch Drugreporter’s new video about Coss Marte, a former convict who, thanks to New York State’s Social Equity Program, now runs three cannabis retail shops and a gym where he employs other formerly incarcerated individuals.
Hungarian Government Enacts Stricter Drug Laws: Civil Society Under Attack
The government majority in the Hungarian Parliament has passed an amendment to the Criminal Code introducing stricter penalties for drug offences. Civil society organisations that have criticised these legal changes and advocate for harm reduction are now facing threats and defunding.
WHEN THE ADULT IN THE ROOM IS GONE: Trump’s Budget Cuts and Global Drug Policy
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.
Drug Policy at a Turning Point- Exploring the Evidence for Drug Law Reform | CND 2025 Sessions
This side event at the 68th CND explored the growing body of evidence highlighting the shortcomings of current drug policies to achieve their stated goals of safety, security, public health and ending stigma, while contributing to significant human rights violations. Organised by Norwegian Association for Humane Drug Policy.
Harm reduction, drug use and the right to health | CND 2025 Sessions
Each year, the UNODC reports an estimated half a million drug-related deaths – deaths that
could be prevented with well-funded harm reduction services and an enabling political and
legislative environment that provides care and support for people who use drugs, instead of
punishment. This side event was organised by the International Drug Policy Consortium.
Orbán’s New War on Drugs Turns Into a Major Crackdown on Political Freedoms
Under the pretext of fighting a war on drugs to “protect the children,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is preparing a major crackdown on civil society and free speech. This could lead to harm reduction and drug policy reform being repressed—much like in Russia—including Drugreporter itself.
