The International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) is one of the leading international non-governmental organisations promoting policies and practices that reduce the harms from all psychoactive substances, harms which include not only the increased vulnerability to HIV and hepatitis C infection among people who use drugs, but also the negative social, health, economic and criminal impacts of illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco on individuals, communities and society. A key principle of IHRA’s approach is to support the engagement of people and communities affected by drugs and alcohol around the world in policy-making processes, including the voices and perspectives of people who use illicit drugs.

www.ihra.net

Established in 2007, HR2 is IHRA's Harm Reduction and Human Rights Monitoring and Policy Analysis Programme. HR2 leads IHRA's programme of research and advocacy on the development of harm reduction programmes and human rights protections for people who use drugs in all regions of the world

This year’s IHRA conference will take place in Barcelona, Spain from the11th to the 15th May 2008. This conference is the latest in a series ofannual harm reduction events which have been held around the world since1990. The overall conference theme is ‘Towards a Global Approach’ and theprogramme includes over 50 sessions, 200 presentations and 300 posters.These events have become the main meeting point for all those interested inharm reduction and an invaluable platform for debate, discussion andinformation sharing.

www.ihraconferences.net