Youth RISE

Youth-led network promoting evidence-based drug policies and full spectrum harm reduction with the meaningful involvement of young people who use drugs

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

Our colleagues Ruby Lawlor & Rebeca Marques feature in the new "Drugs: It’s Complicated" film! 🎬

They unpack the harms of prohibition, the criminalization of youth, and shifting to a human rights approach.

📺 Watch now: https://t.co/gfynRJZakZ

[The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) @globalcdp]

On the sidelines of the #UNGA81 in New York, the Global Commission brought together global, community and youth perspectives to examine how drug policies affect the rights, health and well-being of children and young people - and what needs to change.

With @HelenClarkNZ, Zeinab Hijazi (@UNICEF), Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE) and Maria Camila Cuellar (Tiempo de Juego), moderated by Mandeep Dhaliwal (@UNDP).

The discussion focused on making children and young people visible in drug policy - and ensuring their rights, experiences and voices inform the decisions that affect their lives.

Read more about the issues discussed and the Commission’s recommendations in our latest report: https://t.co/zIDkU8ii4v

#DrugPolicy #ChildRights #YouthRights #UNGA81

[The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) @globalcdp]

How can drug policy better protect the rights, health and well-being of children and young people?

At "Youth and Drugs: Rethinking the Rules" / « Les jeunes et la drogue : repenser les règles », #GCDP, @UNHumanRights, @Genevaforum & @unige_en brought together Commissioners Ruth Dreifuss and @Kazatchkine, Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE), Shivani Verma (@UNHumanRights), Barbara Broers (UNIGE) & moderator Stéphane Bussard (@LeTemps).

The discussion highlighted the need for evidence-based, people-centered approaches that protect young people’s rights, health & well-being, alongside meaningful youth participation.

📖 Read GCDP’s policy brief: https://t.co/zIDkU8ii4v

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

Every mother deserves safe healthcare. Yet fear of arrest & custody loss push young women who use drugs away from vital care. Punitive laws don't protect families, they isolate them. Read @globalcdp PB on Drug Policy Reform for a child rights-based agenda.
https://t.co/SEc5HGvhBd

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

📢Calling for Youth Perspectives to Shape The Future of Global Health Architecture & Sustainable Financing
Take the survey if you are a young health professionals, trainee or student. Your priorities must shape the GHA reforms.

👉 https://t.co/rlzrSZ8gt6

[The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) @globalcdp]

📢 How do drug policies affect children and young people - and what needs to change?

Join the #GCDP, @UNHumanRights, @Genevaforum and @unige_en Faculty of Medicine for “Youth and Drugs: Rethinking the Rules / Les jeunes et la drogue : repenser les règles” for an in-person event at the University of Geneva.

🗓️ Wednesday, 30 September at 18:30–20:00 (followed by a reception)
📍 Room “MS150” - University of Geneva (UNIGE), Uni Mail, 40 Boulevard du Pont-d'Arve, 1205 Geneva
🎟️ For more information and registration for in person participation (which is mandatory), please click here: https://t.co/jNnVBOwLlp

With Commissioners Ruth Dreifuss and @Kazatchkine, Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE) , Shivani Verma @UNHumanRights) and Barbara Broers (UNIGE), moderated by Stéphane Bussard (@LeTemps).

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

Join us in Geneva! We keep the discussion in motion arround @GlobalCommission Policy Brief, with @GenevaHealthForum, and @UNHumanRights.
📅 Wednesday, 30 September | 18:30 CET
📍 In-Person: UNIGE (Uni Mail, Room MS150), Geneva
🎟️ Register to attend: https://t.co/fn19mcsKtk

[The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) @globalcdp]

📢 How do drug policies affect children and young people - and what needs to change?

Join the #GCDP, @UNHumanRights, @Genevaforum and @unige_en Faculty of Medicine for “Youth and Drugs: Rethinking the Rules / Les jeunes et la drogue : repenser les règles” for an in-person event at the University of Geneva.

🗓️ Wednesday, 30 September at 18:30–20:00 (followed by a reception)
📍 Room “MS150” - University of Geneva (UNIGE), Uni Mail, 40 Boulevard du Pont-d'Arve, 1205 Geneva
🎟️ For more information and registration for in person participation (which is mandatory), please click here: https://t.co/jNnVBOwLlp

With Commissioners Ruth Dreifuss and @Kazatchkine, Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE) , Shivani Verma @UNHumanRights) and Barbara Broers (UNIGE), moderated by Stéphane Bussard (@LeTemps).

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

🚨 IF YOU ARE IN NEW YORK FOR #UNGA:
Join us for "Transforming Drug Policy: A Focus on Children and Youth" (IN PERSON ONLY).
📅 Tuesday, Sept 22 | 🕤 09:30–11:00 EDT 📍 Convene 101 Park Ave, NYC. With @UNICEF, @globalcdp & @UNDP

Register here: https://t.co/6Ja3ODejRk

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

🚨 OUT NOW: The Youth RISE Annual Report 2025! 🌍

From advocating for full-spectrum harm reduction at #CND68 to shaping the 2026–2031 Global AIDS Strategy & launching "The Advocacy Playground," YPWUD continue to drive transformative change across regions.
https://t.co/iU6mGA0iQ5

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

At the launch of @globalcdp policy brief, Youth Rise IWG member Aden McCracken shared how witnessing her parents navigate institutional stigma & criminalization made her an advocate for the rights of people who use drugs. Protect children and youth from the harms of prohibition!

[Harm Reduction International @HRInews]

Around 80% of the HR27 programme will be selected through this open call for abstracts, making your submission central to the conversations that will take place in Belfast. Share your work! Submit your abstract before 30 September.

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

If you're in NYC for UNGA week, come and join our co-hosted side session with Focus on Children and Youth on Tuesday, 22 September (09:30–11:00 AM) alongside @OpenSociety @UNDP, and the @globalcdp .
Register today: https://t.co/6Ja3ODejRk

[The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) @globalcdp]

📢 Drug policy is meant to protect children and young people. But at what cost?

Join #GCDP at #UNGA81 for a discussion on how drug policies affect children and young people - and why protecting them must mean protecting their rights, health and well-being, not exposing them to further harm.

📅 Tuesday, 22 Sept 2026
🕤 09:30 – 11:00 EDT
📍 Convene 101 Park Avenue, New York (US) - Pershing Hub, 1st floor
🎟️ Places are limited, please be sure to register here asap: https://t.co/SUnfNpYSZK

With @GCDP Chair @HelenClarkNZ, Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE), Maria Camila Cuéllar (@TiempodeJuegoTJ), Zeinab Hijazi (@UNICEF). Moderated by @Mandeep_Dh (@UNDP).

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

Whether you’re a practitioner, researcher, or activist working across the full spectrum of harm reduction, this is the the best stage to present your work, learn from peers, and help grow the movement.

Submit your abstract by September 30! See you at Belfast! #HarmReduction

[Harm Reduction International @HRInews]

📝Do you want to present at #HR27Belfast?
Submit your abstract before the 30th of September 2026. We're excited to exchange global knowledge at the conference!
https://t.co/1MPYN1zkYt

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

For too long, the wellbeing of children and young people has been invoked to justify the status quo in countries' drug policies, without an examination of how those same policies systematically undermine their rights. Read the advocacy brief on @globalcdp website.

[Daily Maverick @dailymaverick]

Global commission urges child-centred drug policy reform https://t.co/3ELFMHWvlR

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

Artículo en @Milenio sobre el lanzamiento del informe de la @globalcdp. Debemos reconocer que las fallas sistémicas arrastran a los menores a la explotación y que los niños son siempre víctimas, nunca criminales. https://t.co/78nBMrntgk

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

Crianças e jovens explorados nas economias de drogas devem ser tratados como vítimas, e não como criminosos. Para João Barbosa ativista do Brasil, as políticas punitivas só aprofundam a vulnerabilidade.
É hora de reformas baseadas em direitos!
Leía aquí: https://t.co/0HkDvMY8qW

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

"Policies talk about youth, but where are they at the table?" @globalcdp policy brief urges governments to treat children exploited in drug economies as victims, not criminals. It's time for a child-rights-based reform!
Read the piece: https://t.co/fjPncL30d2

[The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) @globalcdp]

📢 Drug policy is meant to protect children and young people. But at what cost?

Join #GCDP at #UNGA81 for a discussion on how drug policies affect children and young people - and why protecting them must mean protecting their rights, health and well-being, not exposing them to further harm.

📅 Tuesday, 22 Sept 2026
🕤 09:30 – 11:00 EDT
📍 Convene 101 Park Avenue, New York (US) - Pershing Hub, 1st floor
🎟️ Places are limited, please be sure to register here asap: https://t.co/SUnfNpYSZK

With @GCDP Chair @HelenClarkNZ, Ruby Lawlor (@YouthRISE), Maria Camila Cuéllar (@TiempodeJuegoTJ), Zeinab Hijazi (@UNICEF). Moderated by @Mandeep_Dh (@UNDP).

[The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) @PoliceForReform]

It’s always at the forefront of most people’s priorities, to protect our younger generations, but what are the right approaches to do so?

We’ll be looking at this from @global with keen interest. Featuring @YouthRISE

[Youth RISE @YouthRISE]

"No pedimos permiso para el cambio, lo exigimos”. ✊ Crucial nota sobre la necesidad de transformar las políticas de drogas, lee el testimonio clave de Aden, miembra del YR, durante el lanzamiento del policy brief de @globalcdp Leé acá: @eldestapeweb https://t.co/oNZXNWfH2d