Plenary 2
| Wednesday, October 15, 2025 |
| 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM |
Details
Drug Policy at a Crossroads: Reform in an Age of Change
Drug policies have the power to reduce or exacerbate harm—around the world we see examples of both. As conservative political movements gain ground, advocates face growing challenges in pushing for evidence-based, health-focused drug policies. This panel will explore how the global political landscape is influencing drug policy debates, how legal and human rights frameworks can be used to support reform, and where real opportunities for change lie. Hear from global experts on what’s working, what’s not, and practical techniques for keeping reform efforts moving in a changing world.
• How conservative and right-wing populist movements are shaping drug policy globally
• Techniques for driving policy reform
• Identifying and seizing opportunities for change – where, when and how
Speaker
Professor Louisa Degenhardt
Scientia Professor
NDARC
The global epidemiology of injecting drug use, HIV, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis among people who are incarcerated: a multistage systematic review
11:15 AM - 11:30 AMBiography
Louisa is Director of Research at NDARC, UNSW. Louisa’s research has contributed to reductions in harm among people who use drugs by generating data on prevalence and burden of illicit drug use and evidence for and delivery of effective interventions to reduce harms at global, regional and national levels.
Dr Kennedy Kipkoech
Senior Research Associate
University of Bristol
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE SUSPENSION OF US PEPFAR FUNDING FOR OPIOID AGONIST THERAPY ON HIV AND HEPATITIS C TRANSMISSION AMONG PEOPLE WHO INJECT DRUGS
11:30 AM - 11:45 AMBiography
Dr Kennedy Kipkoech is a Senior Research Associate in Infectious Diseases mathematical modelling at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. His research specialty and interest are in the application of epidemiological, statistical, and mathematical modelling approaches to understand transmission dynamics and control of infectious diseases, particularly HIV and viral hepatitis.
