Nordic ALCOHOL and DRUG policy network
NordAN
2020 UPDATE
“Things are happening in the field of narcotic drug policy all around the world. As countries are having problems with the increasing availability of drugs and high drug-related deaths, countries are trying to find new solutions to the issues.
The solutions affect the Nordic and Baltic countries whether they are legalizing or in other ways trying to liberalize drugs or if they try new solutions to decrease availability and demand and develop treatment and health care.
It is time to join ourselves as NordAN members in a network where we can exchange experiences from our own countries and learn from other initiatives, whether it is good or bad. From that, we then can make progress in the field of narcotic drug policy.
We offer our members to join the new NordAN Network on Narcotic Drugs. On two occasions per year, we digitally discuss these issues together, and at the NordAN conference, we get together for a cup of coffee.”
PETER MOILANEN, NordAN board member, the Secretary-General of the Narkotikapolitiskt Center in Sweden
Next meeting: June 15, 2026
NordAN drug network meeting, June 15, 13:00 CEST
The next NordAN drug network meeting will bring together colleagues from across the Nordic and Baltic region for an informal online discussion on current drug policy developments and practical prevention examples.
Oriol Esculies from Proyecto Hombre and the Barcelona Forum on Drugs will join us to introduce the Forum process, update us on the Oviedo Declaration, and use the meeting as an ad hoc NordAN focus group for input into the Forum’s roadmap work.
Kati Laitila from the Finnish Red Cross will present the Finnish capital region campaign on recognising substance poisoning symptoms and giving first aid.
Peter Moilanen from the Drug Policy Centre in Sweden, NPC, will give an update on the drug policy situation in Europe and the field of medical cannabis, based on NPC’s recent reports A third way takes form and Prescribed ambiguity: medical cannabis in Europe.
REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/GoKKLnBA5YUn5U3w7
Meetings and materials
NordAN’s network on narcotic drugs meets twice a year online and also contributes to the annual NordAN conference. Here you can find summaries, presentations, posters and related materials from previous meetings.
NordAN drug network meeting, June 15, 2026
Online meeting
The next NordAN drug network meeting will include an ad hoc NordAN focus group with Oriol Esculies from the Barcelona Forum on Drugs, a presentation by Kati Laitila from the Finnish Red Cross on recognising substance poisoning symptoms and giving first aid, and an update from Peter Moilanen from NPC on drug policy developments in Europe and medical cannabis.
7th NordAN drug network meeting, May 20, 2025
Online meeting
The 7th NordAN drug network meeting focused on recent drug policy developments in Europe, Norway and the Baltic countries. Peter Moilanen reported from the 68th Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Stig-Erik Sørheim presented Norway’s new drug reform process, and Lauri Beekmann gave snapshots of drug policy developments in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
6th NordAN drug network meeting, December 5, 2024
Online meeting
The 6th NordAN drug network meeting focused on changing cannabis policy trends in Europe and globally, and on the complicated situation in Norway after failed decriminalisation attempts. Peter Moilanen presented developments in cannabis legalisation, decriminalisation and prevention, while Stig Erik Sørheim analysed Norway’s drug policy reform debates and the practical consequences for policing, youth follow-up and public health.
5th NordAN drug network meeting, June 19, 2024
Online meeting
The 5th NordAN drug network meeting focused on prevention, harm reduction and recent drug policy developments. Oriol Esculies presented the Oviedo Declaration and its global prevention agenda, Cressida de Witte introduced WFAD’s work on harm reduction as part of a continuum of care, and Stig Erik Sørheim gave an update on recent Norwegian drug policy proposals.
4th NordAN drug network meeting, November 20, 2023
Online meeting
The 4th NordAN drug network meeting focused on drug policy updates from Estonia, Iceland and Sweden. Anneli Uusküla presented research from Estonia on preventing the initiation into injecting drug use, Arni Einarsson gave an update on Iceland’s alcohol and drug policy trends, and Peter Moilanen reviewed Sweden’s drug policy challenges and possible future reforms.
3rd NordAN drug network meeting, June 20, 2023
Online meeting
The 3rd NordAN drug network meeting focused on recovery research and the drug policy situation in Finland. Mulka Nisic presented findings from the Life in Recovery Survey, comparing experiences of people in recovery in Sweden, the UK and the Balkans, while Kim Kannussaari from EHYT ry gave an update on drug use, cannabis policy debates and prevention challenges in Finland.
2nd NordAN drug network meeting, December 15, 2022
Online meeting
The 2nd NordAN drug network meeting focused on cannabis policy developments in Germany, Lithuania and Denmark. Peter Moilanen gave an update on the German cannabis legalisation process, Nijolė Goštautaitė Midttun presented the Lithuanian case of regulating hemp, and Christopher Schmitz discussed the Danish cannabis policy and legalisation debate.
1st NordAN drug network meeting, May 4, 2022
Online meeting
The first NordAN drug network meeting introduced the new NordAN network on narcotic drugs and focused on developments in Estonia, Norway and Europe. Ain Peil presented Estonia’s new drug strategy, Stig Erik Sørheim discussed recent developments in Norwegian drug policy, and Staffan Hübinette analysed the cannabis industry and legalisation developments in Europe.