Concurrent 1D: Advancing Policy Reform for People Who Use Drugs: Strategies and Opportunities in the Global South
Tracks
Track 4
| Wednesday, October 15, 2025 |
| 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM |
| The Verve |
Details
This Workshop will explore efforts by advocates in the Global South to ensure policies and laws uphold the health and rights of people who use drugs. Speakers will provide updates on the status of various reform efforts, showcasing ongoing strategies, challenges, and opportunities with attendees.
The Workshop will also provide a space for attendees to collaborate, learn, and share with one another through a dynamic format, which will include discussion and strategizing around themes such as increasing public/media support for reform and effective government engagement.
Speaker
Mr Ahmed Mohamed Said
Project Coordinator
AfricaNPUD
Advancing Policy Reform for People Who Use Drugs: Strategies and Opportunities in the Global South
Biography
Ahmed Said a Kenyan drug user with over 14 years of harm reduction experience, is Regional Coordinator AfricaNPUD. Previously Board Secretary, he was the first outreach worker to distribute needles in Kenya in 2012 and has influenced key population representation on the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism, benefiting many lives.
Mr Thomas Brigden
Portfolio Lead - People Who Use Drugs
Elton John Aids Foundation
Introduction
1:45 PM - 1:55 PMBiography
Mr Juan Carlos Miguel Camacho
Mel Manager
Elton John Aids Foundation
Icebreaker
1:55 PM - 2:00 PMBiography
Miguel Camacho is an epidemiologist with 10 years of doing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in international development. His areas of interest include sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, human rights, and gender. He is currently the M&E Manager of PWUD and LGBTQ+ Portfolios at the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Mrs Oluwafisayo Alao-Amiola
Executive Director
YouthRISE Nigeria
Reform Updates
2:00 PM - 2:10 PMBiography
Ms Charity Monareng
Executive Director
SSDP International
Reform Updates
2:00 PM - 2:10 PMBiography
Charity is the ED of Students for Sensible Drug Policy International, leads the largest grassroots youth movement for drug policy reform. With degrees in Criminology, International Studies, and Social Development, she has driven change as a consultant and Parliamentary Research Officer. Active on multiple boards, Charity is pursuing a PhD in Public Law, underscoring her deep commitment to progressive policy.
Dr Nittaya Phanuphak
Executive Director
Institute of HIV Research and Innovation
Reform Updates
2:00 PM - 2:10 PMBiography
Dr. Phanuphak has deep interest in the establishment and sustainability of community-led health services which empower lay providers who are members of the communities to design and co-deliver sexual and reproductive health, mental health, rights, and harm reduction services to their peers.
Ms Kiki Marini Situmorang
Research and Programme Officer
Community Legal Aid Institute (LBH Masyarakat)
Reform Updates
2:00 PM - 2:10 PMBiography
Mrs Oluwafisayo Alao-Amiola
Executive Director
YouthRISE Nigeria
World Cafe
2:10 PM - 2:50 PMBiography
Ms Charity Monareng
Executive Director
SSDP International
World Cafe
2:10 PM - 2:50 PMBiography
Charity is the ED of Students for Sensible Drug Policy International, leads the largest grassroots youth movement for drug policy reform. With degrees in Criminology, International Studies, and Social Development, she has driven change as a consultant and Parliamentary Research Officer. Active on multiple boards, Charity is pursuing a PhD in Public Law, underscoring her deep commitment to progressive policy.
Dr Nittaya Phanuphak
Executive Director
Institute of HIV Research and Innovation
World Cafe
2:10 PM - 2:50 PMBiography
Dr. Phanuphak has deep interest in the establishment and sustainability of community-led health services which empower lay providers who are members of the communities to design and co-deliver sexual and reproductive health, mental health, rights, and harm reduction services to their peers.
Ms Kiki Marini Situmorang
Research and Programme Officer
Community Legal Aid Institute (LBH Masyarakat)
World Cafe
2:10 PM - 2:50 PMBiography
INHSU 2025
Plenary Discussion
2:50 PM - 3:00 PMBiography
INHSU 2025
Q&A
3:00 PM - 3:10 PMBiography
Facilitator
Charity Monareng
Executive Director
SSDP International
Nittaya Phanuphak
Executive Director
Institute of HIV Research and Innovation
Ahmed Mohamed Said
Project Coordinator
AfricaNPUD
Kiki Marini Situmorang
Research and Programme Officer
Community Legal Aid Institute (LBH Masyarakat)
