Katrin Schiffer

[Institute for Mental Health and Addiction Studies @Inst_MHAS]

Bridging the Gap: Mental Health & Addiction Policy 🇪🇺🤝

Today’s #AddictEU2025 conference in Brussels successfully reinforced the urgent need to integrate #MentalHealth support with realistic #addiction regulation. With 1 in 6 Europeans facing mental health challenges, experts agreed that fragmented policies are no longer effective 📉. The discussions highlighted that a "substance-free world" is not a realistic goal, instead, the focus must shift toward evidence-based harm reduction strategies that respect individual autonomy while minimizing public health risks 🛡️⚖️.

Panelists also showcased successful regulatory models, like the one recently adopted in the Czech Republic, which replace criminalization with strict age verification and quality control. This approach offers a pragmatic template for the EU, proving that regulation can be both protective and adaptable to new market realities without relying on outdated prohibition frameworks ✅🌍.

A focus of the debate was the upcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan and its link to addiction and mental health ❤️🧠. By integrating harm reduction and behavioral prevention directly into the plan, the EU can address the root causes of health risks rather than just treating the symptoms, bridging the gap between physical health, mental well-being, and addiction policy.

Thank you to all speakers and participants for contributing to this dialogue on the future of European health policy. 👏

For more details, please see the full press release - https://t.co/Y8t4ynwiJ4

Thanks to our co-organizators @IRAP_ThinkTank and @CorrelationNet

[Ben Phillips @benphillips76]

Winnie’s direct appeal to Gilead at AIDS 2024: “Gilead I know you are in the room!”

[IAC - the International AIDS Conference @AIDS_conference]

“Trans people around the globe are facing violence and discrimination and are at a much higher risk of acquiring HIV than the general population.” - Jay Mulucha 🇺🇬 #AIDS2024

[Theocharis Athanasios @TheocharisAth]

The main message of the Amsterdam Conference on Drug policies:
“We need regulation.”

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

✨🤩We’re excited about our 2023 Expert & Member Meeting starting tomorrow in Budapest! Don't forget that you can also follow some of the sessions online: https://t.co/1rRuM25H14 #CEHRNBudapest23

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

“Not only the richest countries in the world can implement efficient drug policies based on decriminalisation.” (Marta Pinto, @UPorto)
At today's press conference, we discussed #DCRs, #drugchecking & the leading example of Portugal's health-based drug policy! #CEHRNBudapest23

[Mat Southwell @MatSouthwell]

@EuronpudO join European partners for the @CorrelationNet Expert Meeting in Budapest Hungary. Monday the focus is on how intelligence is gathered to support accountability and advocacy. New agenda is to capture voices of people who use drugs directly. #harmreduction

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

🌟🤝 We have kickstarted our 2023 Expert & Member Meeting! We are happy to have many representatives of our network members here! For those who couldn't join in Budapest, don't miss the live-streamed sessions tomorrow & on Wednesday!: https://t.co/1rRuM25H14 #CEHRNBudapest23

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

🚨Over 110 CSOs have signed a letter to @JHahnEU and @VeraJourova calling for contact details of Commission staff to be restored to the 'Whoiswho' directory.

The removal of details is a step back for institutional transparency.

Read the letter➡️ https://t.co/mbfXeyN0YM

[Drogenpolitik @Drogen_Politik]

Die tschechische Regierung hat einen Aktionsplan zur Suchtbekämpfung bis zum Jahr 2025 gebilligt. Der Plan sieht die Einführung eines streng regulierten Cannabismarkts, die von einer Expertengruppe erarbeitet wurden.
#Cannabis #Hanf #ReLegalisierung
https://t.co/O47GHXFiWB

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

Daan van der Gouwe (@Trimbos Instituut) discusses the data from our focal points on New Drug Trends; including barriers to data collection, the use of focus groups, and the availability of new drugs. More information on our monitoring work here - https://t.co/BJKP9oc462

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

Iga Jeziorska (CEHRN Research Officer) discusses the findings on Essential Harm Reduction Services, including problems of accessibility due to the changing drug market, during the launch of our 2022 monitoring report. More info here - https://t.co/BJKP9oc462
#MonitoringHREurope

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

Alexei Lahov (@haf_test ), Perrine Roux (@Inserm) and Mat Southwell (@euronpud) join the panelists for a group discussion regarding the results of the monitoring report.
More info - https://t.co/BJKP9oc462
#MonitoringHREurope

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

Alongside our 2022 Monitoring Report, we have also published an executive summary, available in ten languages! Access the executive summaries here - https://t.co/oM5tbiLo5z
#MonitoringHREurope

[Mat Southwell @MatSouthwell]

Happy to be reflecting on @CorrelationNet new technical resource Civil Society Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe. https://t.co/1fJggnHZxE #HarmReduction

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

. @TuukkaTammi (@THLorg ) discusses Hepatitis C and Drug Use during our monitoring launch; looking at the proportion of European cities peforming quick HCV testing for people who inject drugs, and the number of available testing services.
#MonitoringHREurope

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

We have officially begun the launch of our 2022 Civil Society Monitoring Report! We will be posting updates from the launch, as well as highlights from our panelists. Access our monitoring page for more information, here - https://t.co/BJKP9oc462
#MonitoringHREurope

[Katrin Schiffer @k69sch]

Harm Reduction works!
@SarahLarney provides an overview of existing evidence on the effectiveness of drug consumption rooms and dismantles negative and non substantiated narratives on the negative impact of harm reduction services.
@ISSDrugPolicy @LxAddictions

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

That's a wrap on the #CEHRNAthens22 expert meeting! With special thanks to the local participants for hosting us in the amazing city of Athens; Dutch cheese seemed the perfect thank you gift! @OKANA_GR @positivevoicegr @praksisgr and @Euro_NPUD

[Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network @CorrelationNet]

Yesterdays session on the local situation in Athens and Thessaloniki with Marios Atzemis (@positivevoicegr), Athanasios Theocharis (@OKANA_GR), Fotini Leobilla (Athena-Hygeia), Daphne Chronopoulo (@Euro_NPUD) and morderated by Roberto Perez (CEHRN) & Marianella Kloka (@praksisgr)