Latest Activities

Latest Activities

NORAD TEAM VISITS MOZPUD

It was a pleasure to welcome the NORAD team to MOZPUD.

The visit was an important opportunity to share our experience working with communities, discuss the challenges we face, and highlight the importance of continuing to strengthen services and support for people who use drugs.

We thank NORAD for their interest, for listening to our experiences, and for creating this space for dialogue. These moments of exchange and reflection are important as we continue working towards more inclusive responses that are closer to the communities.

 

Nothing about us without us.

norpad visits mozpud

Cross River State Marks 2026 Support Don’t Punish Global Day of Action

From 24 to 26 June 2026, Health Action Support Initiative (HASI) joined the global Support Don’t Punish campaign in Cross River State, Nigeria, under the theme, “Towards Eradication of Punitive Drug Laws and Promoting Human Rights of People Who Use Drugs.”

Implemented as part of NNPUD’s wider national campaign and with support from the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), the activities brought together community advocates, government institutions and civil society around a central message: responses to drug use must protect health, dignity and human rights rather than rely solely on punishment.

Taking advocacy to key institutions

The campaign began with advocacy visits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Calabar.

At the NDLEA Cross River State Command, the HASI team met with the Deputy Commander and called for a more balanced approach to drug control, combining law enforcement with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and respect for human rights.

The discussions also highlighted the need for people held in custody to have access to healthcare and legal aid, and raised concerns about practices that can undermine ongoing harm reduction interventions. The Deputy Commander expressed willingness to strengthen collaboration with community-based organisations, particularly around community sensitisation, referral pathways and access to healthcare services.

At the National Human Rights Commission, discussions centred on dignity, equal treatment and the protection of the rights of people who use drugs. The Commission reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration to address discrimination, raise awareness and support reforms that uphold human rights.

Building awareness within communities

On 25 June, the campaign shifted to community engagement. HASI worked with community influencers and leaders to strengthen understanding of human rights, dignity and avenues for seeking redress when violations occur.

During a presentation titled “Human, Public Health and Rights is for All,” HASI Executive Director Edem Ekpenyong called attention to the harassment, abuse and public shaming experienced by people who use drugs, including the circulation of degrading content on social media.

Community and religious leaders were encouraged to speak out against such violations and support approaches grounded in dignity and Nigeria’s human rights commitments.

HASI, NNPUD members and civil society partners participate in the 2026 Support Don’t Punish Global Day of Action in Cross River State, Nigeria.

The 56th UNAID Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) 2025

The ongoing 56th UNAID Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) meeting from 24th to 26th June, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The UNAIDS Executive Director outlined a pressing vision for the global HIV response amidst declining financial support. Key points from the report include:
• Critical Funding Decline: In 2024, Official Development Assistance (ODA) for HIV/AIDS programs decreased by 7% (OECD data). Compounding this, our largest donor has abruptly withdrawn, with others following suit, creating a significant funding gap just as the HIV epidemic risks resurging.
• Rising HIV Incidence and Mortality: Without immediate action, daily new HIV infections could reach 5,800, with approximately 2,400 deaths, threatening progress toward ending AIDS by 2030.
• Innovative Financing Approaches Needed: To navigate this crisis, we must expand beyond traditional health funding. Empowering low and middle-income countries to own their HIV responses requires increasing their fiscal space for sustained investment.
• Global Leadership and Strategic Reform: The UN Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative envisions transformative change. Efforts are underway to review the Joint Programme’s operating model and develop the next Global AIDS Strategy, emphasizing the urgency of adaptable, resilient responses in our current financial climate.
In conclusion, UNAIDS has issued an urgent appeal for support. Despite these challenges, the commitment to ending AIDS remains strong. We are adapting our strategies—together, we can overcome these hurdles.
AfricaNPUD Voice: Prioritizing People Who Use Drugs
Our own Regional Coordinator, Ahmed Said, delivered a compelling intervention highlighting the unique challenges faced by people who use drugs in Africa. He emphasized that real progress depends on prioritizing the health and human rights of this often-marginalized community. Criminalization, stigma, limited access to harm reduction services and lack of funding to people who use drugs led organizations continue to exacerbate HIV transmission across our region.
Ahmed called for innovative, evidence-based solutions in response to the global crisis. He urged UNAIDS, donors and member states to scale up harm reduction interventions—such as needle syringe programs (NSP), opioid agonist therapy (OAT), and naloxone distribution across Africa. Notably, he pointed out that roughly $100 billion is spent globally on drug law enforcement annually, yet only about $151 million (around 1.5% of law enforcement budgets) is needed to fund harm reduction efforts, an urgent imbalance requiring correction.
He advocates for a shift toward a health-centered approach that respects dignity, reduces harm, and promotes human rights and dignity. Decriminalizing drug use and investing in harm reduction are crucial steps to reduce HIV transmission and improve health outcomes for people who use drugs.

Eastern & Southern Africa Commission on Drugs (ESACD)

Eastern & Southern Africa Commission on Drugs (ESACD) held its Fourth High-Level Consultation Meeting and launched the flagship report on June 16–17, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya. This gathering aimed to forge impactful recommendations for political and civil society leaders on drug policy reform, driven by rigorous research; to galvanize public awareness and political commitment; and to strengthen regional and local capacities to effectively address the drug challenge.
At this pivotal event, AfricaNPUD’s Regional Coordinator, Mr. Ahmed Said, emphasized the critical importance of adopting a partnership approach with people who use drugs. He passionately articulated, “We should stop looking at people who use drugs as problems to be solved—rather, we should be recognized as partners with solutions.” His message underscores a shift towards inclusive, health-centered strategies that involve people who use drugs in policy making and program design.
Mr. Said presented a compelling statement highlighting key areas for transformation:
• Re-imagining drug policies across Africa to prioritize human rights and health
• Expanding Harm Reduction Services to save lives
• Promoting Community-Led Approaches grounded in local realities
• Fostering Economic Empowerment for vulnerable populations
• Centering the Voices of People Who Use Drugs to create effective and compassionate solutions
This approach champions dignity and partnership, positioning those most affected not as obstacles but as vital agents of change in the pursuit of safer, fairer drug policies across Africa and in the world.

The 55th UNAIDS PCB

“It is essential for member states to prioritize policies aimed at clearing the criminal records of individuals arrested solely for personal drug use. This could involve implementing expungement processes, providing pathways for record sealing, and offering support for those looking to reintegrate into the workforce. Efforts in this direction will not only aid individuals but also positively impact communities, fostering a healthier, and more inclusive society. I dare say your Excellency that we’re all potential convicts and as we solve this, we’re not only solving for the people who use drugs rather for the larger society across the globe.”
Rules are flexible for those who have money, rules serve those in power. However, rules bind, bend and oppress those with neither money nor power. We don’t deserve lifetime punishment after serving our sentence.”
Ahmed Said Regional Coordinator Africanpud addressing Member States at 55th UNAIDS PCB about expunging criminal records for people who use drugs that have experience criminal justice systems due to personal consumption. People who use drugs face barriers in accessing legal documentation and securing job opportunities due to criminal records associated with drug use consumption.

Governance Strengthening Workshop in Zimbabwe.

AfricaNPUD Completes Successful Governance Strengthening Workshop in Zimbabwe.
From November 13th to 15th, 2024, AfricaNPUD hosted a transformative governance-strengthening workshop for its Board of Trustees and Secretariat in Harare, Zimbabwe. This workshop, held at the Cresta Jameson Hotel, was supported by RCF Core Support and Love Alliance Projects and focused on equipping AfricaNPUD’s leadership with essential skills for effective organizational governance, financial oversight, and advocacy. By fostering a collaborative learning environment, the workshop aimed to reinforce the leadership structure within AfricaNPUD

Together, we can make a difference!

Across Africa, the crisis surrounding people who use drugs is real, and the need for the Harm Reduction Bill 2024 is urgent. This landmark legislation is crucial in safeguarding the human rights of those affected and promoting public health.
Recently, UNITE led a delegation to engage with the National Assembly and Senate Health Committee of Kenya, alongside the Africa Network of People Who Use Drugs. We discussed the pressing dynamics of people who use drugs in Africa and highlighted the importance of effective, humane policies.
As the Harm Reduction Bill approaches its Second Reading, let’s unite our voices for change! Advocate for compassionate policies that save lives and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Join the conversation and support the movement for justice and health!