This side event, co-organised by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN) and the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) discussed how to prevent illicit drug overdose.

In many parts of the world, and especially in Eurasia, overdose is one of the major causes of preventable deaths. The International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD) first explained how education and easy availability of naloxone (including in prisons) could prevent many deaths by overdose. This was illustrated by one presentation from the Harm Reduction Coalition that provided information on how naloxone programmes have been shown to reduce overdose related deaths. The session ended with a presentation from the EHRN about their findings on overdose morbidity in Eurasia and the lack of availability of naloxone in the region, despite clear evidence of its cost-effectiveness.

This session was a success, with over 60 people attending the event.