World Federation Against Drugs, WFAD

07/04/2026

Substance use continues to affect individuals, families, and communities across the world, making it a persistent public health challenge.

World Health Day highlights the importance of protecting and promoting health worldwide. This year’s theme, “Together for health. Stand with science,” set by the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasises the importance of working together, strengthening trust in science, and ensuring that knowledge is translated into action through collaboration.

Over the past decades, prevention science has advanced significantly, and there is growing evidence on what works and what does not. Prevention efforts, particularly those focused on children and young people, support healthy development and help prevent substance use. However, prevention remains underprioritised, and access to treatment and long-term recovery support is still limited in many settings.

Stigma continues to be a major barrier, preventing people from seeking the care they need. Addressing this requires not only expanding services, but ensuring that support is accessible, responsive, and grounded in evidence.

At WFAD, we recognise the essential role of our members, partners, and civil society organisations in strengthening prevention, treatment, and recovery worldwide.

Standing with science means strengthening prevention, improving access to treatment and recovery, and ensuring that knowledge is translated into action.

Read the full World Health Day statement here: https://wfad.se/activity/news/world-health-day-2026-strengthening-prevention-and-supporting-recovery/

01/04/2026

We are pleased to invite our members to a five-part online training series: Building Resilient and Inclusive Responses to Substance Use and Addiction.

Developed with input from our global network, the series focuses on strengthening capacity across prevention, treatment, and recovery, with an emphasis on gender-sensitive and trauma-informed approaches, youth engagement, and practical advocacy.

🗓 30 April – 27 May 2026
⏰ Wednesdays, 13:00–14:30 CEST
🎓 Certificate upon completion of all sessions

Register for each session:
Session 1: Gender- and Trauma-Sensitive Prevention – https://shorturl.at/BWvZX
Session 2: Engaging and Empowering Youth – https://shorturl.at/GadVx
Session 3: Treatment and Recovery-Oriented Care – https://shorturl.at/P7rby
Session 4: Strengthening Organisational and Advocacy Capacity – https://shorturl.at/3iRyL
Session 5: Emerging Trends – https://shorturl.at/sRc8H

Not yet a member? Join WFAD to take part in initiatives like this.
Become a member: https://wfad.se/membership/

27/03/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!

We are pleased to share a new guideline from the 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲, part of the WFAD network: Building Resilience in Young People – Mental Health Prevention That Works.

Drawing on insights from 3,000 young people across 137 countries, the publication highlights the importance of prevention in strengthening mental health and long-term resilience. It also underscores the link between substance use and mental health, and the need for early, coordinated responses.

This is a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions on how prevention and support systems can better protect and support young people.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/eEm7Nj9f

20/03/2026

With just one week to go, this upcoming Zoom webinar will focus on alcohol harm in Uganda and its wider impacts. The session will take place on 26 March 2026 and will bring together experts to discuss the hidden costs of alcohol use on health, families, and national development.

The webinar is organised by UAPA, UYDEL, ISSUP Uganda Chapter, the Ministry of Health (Uganda), and the Uganda Cancer Institute.

Event details
Date: 26 March 2026
Time: 12:00–1:30 PM (East Africa Time)
Join here: https://lnkd.in/dYiYp8DX

With just one week to go, this upcoming Zoom webinar will focus on alcohol harm in Uganda and its wider impacts. The session will take place on 26 March 2026...

16/03/2026

Between March 9th and 13th, WFAD attended the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria. The week included a wide range of side events organised by our members and partners, meetings with partners, Member States, and UNODC representatives, as well as observing the plenary session.

Read our full recap on our website!

https://wfad.se/activity/news/69th-commission-on-narcotic-drugs-a-recap/

13/03/2026

As we finalise the , having promoted the essence of prevention as a pillar in policy and our interventions, we are committed to continue our efforts and advocacy. This is not a one-time message, but requires to be integrated on a sustainable and institutional level. and changes the curve

13/03/2026

On day 4 of the , we highlight the importance of collaboration within the continuum of care as well as community work, as they are in the capacity of building trust. Trust is essential in order for people to accept support. We cannot and should not work in isolation but rather collaborate to ensure no one is left behind. We know and not only should we integrate it in our community work but also integrate it in our policies.

10/03/2026

Day 2 at . Today we highlight that Science Saves Lives. It is important that our data must guide drug policy and not ideology or commercial interest. when it is funded, evidence-based and prioritised. Thanks to for the graphics!

09/03/2026

The highlight of the first day of the 69th Commission on Narcotic Drugs is and . Not only are we continuously sharing this message at our side events but also on our platforms. Prevention is essential to build resilient communities and an integral part in the Continuum of Care.

08/03/2026

Today on , we commemorate the theme Rights. Justice. Action.

Women have the universal right to health, including access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. But today, a major gap remains.

Globally, only 1 in 18 women with substance use disorders receive treatment, compared to 1 in 7 men. Women face unique barriers: stigma, trauma, violence, fear of losing custody, and services that are not designed for their needs.

When women cannot access care, the impact goes beyond the individual. It affects families, children, and future generations.

This International Women’s Day, we call for action:
✔ Gender-responsive prevention
✔ Trauma-informed treatment
✔ Safe, stigma-free services
✔ Women’s voices at the centre

Closing the treatment gap is not just a health issue: it’s a matter of rights and justice.

06/03/2026

As we are preparing to head to attend the 69th Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Austria from Monday 9 March to Friday 13 March, we would like to share an overview of all 12 side events we are co-hosting.

We strongly encourage you to attend these side events either in person or online, as many will be organised in a hybrid format.

Keep an eye on our social media to receive the zoom links related to the various events.

For the full overview, visit our website 👉 https://wfad.se/activity/news/69th-commission-on-narcotic-drugs-an-overview-of-side-events/

05/03/2026

We are honoured to be in partnership with Parent-Child Intervention Centre to increase data on parental knowledge and practices regarding youth drug/substance abuse by conducting the Pan-African Parental Drug Knowledge Index (PADK-Index) across 20 African countries.

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