In April 2026, drug user organizations, human rights advocates, researchers, and policymakers from across the Nordic region gathered in Oslo for the conference Nordic Mobilization on Human Rights and Drug Policy. The event marked the launch of a new Nordic network committed to promoting drug policies based on human rights, democracy, public health, and social justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conference brought together speakers from across Europe and beyond to discuss topics including harm reduction<\/a>, legal regulation<\/a>, decriminalization<\/a>, 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<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n