There are a lot of organizations dedicated to harm reduction and drug policy reform, and we sincerely thank all of them for their hard work on this important human rights issue.
Here are just a few of the leading organizations in drug policy reform and harm reduction.
Amanda Fielding's juggernaut organization has championed policy reform for decades.
One of the goals of Beckley is "To achieve evidence-based changes in global drug policies in order to reduce the harms brought about by the unintended negative consequences of current drug policies; and develop improved policies based on health, harm reduction, cost-effectiveness, and human rights."
Bluelight approaches harm reduction via public education.
"Bluelight is an international, online, harm-reduction community committed to reducing the harms associated with drug use."
With their motto "nothing about us without us," CAPUD is changing discourse about drug use, not just in Canada but beyond.
"One of our main purposes is to empower people who currently use drugs deemed illegal to survive and thrive, with their human rights respected and their voices heard. We envision a world where drugs are regulated and the people who use them are not criminalized."
One of America's leading drug policy reform organizations.
"At the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), we fight for people. We believe that every person should be able to work, parent, be housed, have a community, experience joy, and live freely regardless of drug use."
Filter magazine is a NYC-based media platform for policy reform.
"Our mission is to advocate through journalism for rational and compassionate approaches to drug use, drug policy and human rights."
The Fireside Project offers a live peer support hotline for people having challenging experiences (ie. bad trips).
"Fireside Project’s Psychedelic Peer Support Line offers free, confidential peer support by phone and text message to people in the midst of psychedelic experiences, people holding space for others who are in the midst of psychedelic experiences, and people integrating past psychedelic experiences."
Founded and led by world leaders including former presidents and prime ministers, the Global Commission on Drug Policy has become one of the most important global systems change groups in the world.
Their Five Pathways form the foundation of global policy reform:
Prioritizing public health;
Ensuring access to controlled medicines;
Decriminalizing personal use and possession;
Relying on alternatives to punishment for non-violent, low-level actors in illicit drug markets, and promoting longer-term socio-economic development efforts to offer them a legitimate exit strategy;
Regulating the drug markets, and rolling back organized crime and its corruptive and violent influence.
The GDS is an independent research organization that generates data for use in policy reform and harm reduction initiatives.
"GDS aims to make drug use safer, regardless of the legal status of the drug, by sharing information with individuals, communities, health and policy organisations."
The Harm Reduction Therapy Center started in San Francisco. Its successful pilot project has become a protocol for harm reduction, and they help organizations and communities implement harm reduction strategies.
"HRTC has modeled the development of harm reduction therapy programs to fit the needs of every individual and every community that uses drugs, to work with families of people who use drugs, and to train other health professionals and programs that want to work with people who actively use drugs."
The IDPC is a global drug policy reform organization with presence in London, Bangkok and Accra.
"The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network that works collectively to promote person-centred, rights-affirming drug policies at the national, regional and international levels."
The ISSDP is a global think tank comprised of scholars dedicated to furthering the evidence base for policy reform. They have an annual conference and a database of relevant scholarly journal articles.
"The International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP) is a society of scholars committed to advancing drug policy research."
Founded and led by former law enforcement officers in the United States, LEAP has the power to positively transform drug policy throughout America.
"Ending the War on Drugs and looking beyond the criminal justice system for a range of solutions to address society’s ills will better protect human rights, reduce violence and addiction, and build public respect for and trust in law enforcement."
Mind Army focuses on psychedelics but is generally committed to policy reform.
"Mind Army is working to legalize powerful medicines like ibogaine that have been denied to the American people by antiquated laws."
As its name suggests, SSDP is a student-led organization with a global presence.
"we’ve expanded our presence to more than 300 campuses in 32 countries and have mobilized tens of thousands of young people to advocate for a more sensible approach to drug laws.
Transform is a UK-based drug policy reform nonprofit.
"Our vision is a world where drug policy promotes health, protects the vulnerable and puts safety first."
The Zendo Project has been providing peer support services at festivals for many years and remains a stalwart harm reduction organization.
"Creates an environment where volunteers can work alongside one another to improve their harm reduction skills and receive training and feedback"
Where Mykonet Fits In
We share a vision of cognitive liberty, emancipation, and human rights. To this end, we devise strategies for harm reduction and prepare white papers and reports.