WHO Leadership Needed: Harm Reduction for Drug Users

Global Advocates Rally Behind WHO’s Harm Reduction Efforts

On September 5, 2025, a broad coalition of advocates issued an open letter to Dr. Tedros Adhanom ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Association (WHO), expressing strong support for the organization’s continued leadership in harm reduction, human rights, and drug policy.The letter underscores the critical role the WHO plays in safeguarding the health and well-being of people who use drugs worldwide.

The advocates specifically urged the WHO to maintain – and bolster – its existing capabilities. This includes preserving its expert capacity, providing clear normative guidance, utilizing its diplomatic influence, and, crucially, ensuring the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience in all levels of decision-making. This emphasis on lived experience reflects a growing consensus that effective drug policy must be informed by those most directly affected by it.

the Call to Action: Strengthening WHO’s Position

The letter highlights the WHO’s unique position to advocate for policies grounded in scientific evidence and human rights principles.Advocates recognize the WHO’s ability to shape global norms and provide technical assistance to countries seeking to implement effective harm reduction programs. Maintaining this capacity requires sustained financial and political support.

The signatories emphasized that the WHO’s work extends beyond simply addressing the health consequences of drug use. It also encompasses advocating for the broader social and economic factors that contribute to vulnerability and marginalization. This holistic approach is considered essential for achieving lasting improvements in public health and social justice.

The full text of the letter, including a complete list of signatories, is available for review on the european Network of People who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD) website.