The Conference “Drug Policy for the Future” was held in Stockholm, Sweden on May 31st – 1st of June 2023.  The conference was held in connection to the Swedish presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. The Conference was organised by many of the founding partners of WFAD, including S.L.A.N. 

The starting point for Sweden’s presidency is the UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Objective 3, on good health and well-being, emphasizes that efforts to prevent and treat substance abuse need to be strengthened – which was mirrored during this conference. An international conference that from a global perspective, shed light on the drug issue with a focus on Sweden and Europe.

The conference included researchers and practitioners from Sweden and internationally, that highlighted drug policy, prevention services, and the importance of recovery-oriented systems of care. The conference was held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sylvia of Sweden, and was opened by Lena Hallengren Sweden’s previous Minister of Health. Wadih Maalouf, UNODC, provided an introduction to the Drug Control Conventions and the International Standards of Prevention. 

Among the speakers, was Bertha Madras (Harvard University) who made valuable inputs to the conference regarding cannabis’s impact and harmful consequences on the developing brain. Bertha was interviewed for Swedish Radio – who reported from the conference. 

The conference website and agenda can be viewed here. Photos and summary of the conference will be shared soon on the conference website. 

Read further articles and news about the conference (in Swedish) here and on the website Drugnews.se. 

Media coverage of the conference:

• Swedish Radio P1
• Swedish Radio P3
• Article about Bertha Madras and THC levels
• Article about Bertha Madras and hallucinogens
• Article about Ali Peil and Estonia’s drug overdose rates
• Article about Matej Kosir and early prevention
• Article about Stig-Erik Sörheim and commercialisation of cannabis