Thursday, October 8, 2026

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Tycho + Kepler

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Details

Smokable cocaine use remains a significant yet under addressed issue within global harm reduction responses. This gap persists despite growing evidence of health risks associated with inhalation, including respiratory harms caused by toxic fumes, ash, and metal fragments from smoking devices, as well as burns and injuries to the lips, mouth, and throat. People who smoke cocaine are also frequently exposed to structural violence linked to social and institutional stigma, criminalisation and abuse from law enforcement, harassment from their peers and social exclusion in general. This 90-minute session brings together researchers, community leaders, advocates, and service providers from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and international organisations to create a space for collective learning and exchange across diverse political, social, and epidemiological contexts. Drawing on frontline service delivery, community advocacy, and recent research, speakers will share their experiences, including work on safer smoking equipment distribution, peer led outreach, inclusive harm reduction services, and the impacts of stigma, violence, and punitive policing towards people who smoke cocaine. The session is designed as a facilitated dialogue rather than a series of traditional presentations. Through guided discussion among speakers and active participation from the audience, it will encourage exchange between experiences from the Global North and Global South. The conversation will explore emerging evidence, critically reflect on existing harm reduction approaches, and identify opportunities for collaboration across regions.

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Speaker