WHO WE ARE

About US

our vision

We envision a world in which drug policies uphold dignity, health and rights.

our mission

We use data and advocacy to promote harm reduction and drug policy reform.

We show how rights-based, evidence-informed responses to drugs contribute to healthier, safer societies, and why investing in harm reduction makes sense.

our work

  • We strengthen support for harm reduction through partnerships at international, regional and national levels

  • We use data and analysis to advocate for funding for harm reduction

  • We use human rights standards to challenge rights violations committed in the name of drug control

  • We challenge the disproportionate impact of drug control on Black, Brown, Indigenous + ethnic minority communities

  • We convene at Harm Reduction International events for learning, sharing, activism and solidarity

  • We connect and collaborate with allies in health and social justice movements

STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-25

Our Strategic Plan 2022-2025 sets out how we will pursue our overall vision through clearly defined outcomes and objectives.

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long term outcomes

  • Harm reduction approaches and services are widely accepted, community-led and sustainably funded.

  • Drug policy is aligned with international human rights standards and advances equity, racial and social justice.

  • The harm reduction and drug policy reform movements are characterised by solidarity and equity, informed by evidence and allied with health and social justice movements.

We are committed to centring equity across all our work

We advocate for an inclusive definition of harm reduction that emphasises non-judgmental, evidence-based health interventions and is grounded in justice.

non-judgmental

evidence-based

grounded in justice

our history

  • 1990

    Harm Reduction International traces its origins to the first International Conference on the Reduction of Drug-Related Harm, held in Liverpool, England in 1990. The city was one of the first to open needle and syringe programmes, and attracted hundreds of visitors each year who wanted to learn about the Mersey Model of harm reduction.

    The success of the first conference led to its establishment as an annual event held in major cities around the world. It helped to spread the principles behind harm reduction, share knowledge and experience, and build networks of harm reduction practitioners and activists to broaden the response to HIV and unsafe injecting practices.

  • 1996

    The International Harm Reduction Association is registered.

    Patrick O’Hare is formally appointed as Executive Director and begins the organisation’s work connecting with partners around the world.

  • 2001

    We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in New Delhi, India.

  • 2003

    We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

  • 2004

    Gerry Stimson appointed as Executive Director.

  • 2005

    We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

  • 2006

    The International Activists who use Drugs launch the Vancouver Declaration at the Harm Reduction International Conference held in Vancouver, Canada.

  • 2007

    We expanded our activities to include work on public health, funding for harm reduction and human rights.

    We tracked the use of the death penalty for drug offences around the world and published our first flagship publication on the topic.

  • 2008

    We published the first edition of the Global State of Harm Reduction – a ground-breaking mapping harm reduction services and policy.

  • 2010

    Rick Lines appointed as Executive Director.

  • 2011

    We launched the Beirut Declaration on HIV and injecting drug use at the Harm Reduction International Conference in Lebanon, calling for a renewed commitment to HIV-related harm reduction and drug policy reform.

  • 2015

    The harm reduction sector releases the Kuala Lumpur Declaration at the Harm Reduction International Conference in Malaysia, calling for an alternative response to drug use that is rooted in evidence, public health, human rights and dignity.

  • 2016

    We changed our name from The International Harm Reduction Association to Harm Reduction International.

  • 2017

    We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Montreal, Canada.

  • 2018

    Naomi Burke-Shyne appointed as Executive Director.

  • 2019

    We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Porto, Portugal.

  • 2021

    Harm Reduction International celebrated 25 years.

  • 2022

    We launched a new logo and visual identity, reflecting our commitment to evidence and bold advocacy.

  • 2023

    We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Melbourne, Australia.

  • 1990

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  • 2023

Our Anti-Racist Pledge

We recognise the racist, colonial and capitalist structures that determine the distribution of wealth and power globally, and the distinct relationship between racism, colonialism, global health and international drug control. This pledge is our commitment to anti-racist practice and the re-structuring of unequal racial power dynamics.

full pledge

governance and reporting

Harm Reduction International is an international, not-for-profit NGO. It is a charitable company limited by guarantee, meaning it is incorporated and registered with the UK Charity Commission (Charity Number – 1117375) and at Companies House (Company number – 3223265).

We are governed by a Board of Trustees that is elected for a three year term. We follow a Foundations Model of governance, in which the directors are also the members of the organisation. Board appointments are made by resolution of the Board itself.

A summary of our governance and activities can be found in the introduction to the most recent audited financial accounts. We submit annual financial accounts as required under company law in England and Wales. Our accounts are prepared by Sayer Vincent.

our donors and partners

We benefit from the generous support of:

And partnerships with:

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