Ten years ago, the concept of deflection emerged as a transformative approach to divert people with substance use disorders away from arrest and into treatment,… Read More »A Decade of Deflection: The First Academic Special Issue Celebrating 10 Years of a Humanitarian Innovation
Geneva | May 23, 2025 — For the first time in its history, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) convened… Read More »A Landmark at the World Health Assembly: Rome Consensus 2.0 at the Heart of Humanitarian Drug Policy
“No one is beyond help, not even when everything seems lost.” That spirit echoed through the halls of Villa Maraini-Croce Rossa on May 21st, where international experts, law enforcement, health professionals, and civil society met to confront one of our era’s most urgent public health and human rights challenges: drug abuse and dependence.
This Special Issue marks a historic milestone for the global Deflection movement. Developed through the alliance of the Rome Consensus 2.0, the Knowmad Institut, and PTACC, it represents the first indexed body of peer-reviewed academic research dedicated to Deflection — reaffirming that dignity, science, and collaboration are essential pillars of health-centered drug policy.
From March 10–14, 2025, the Rome Consensus 2.0 (RC2.0) participated actively in the 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna,… Read More »The Rome CONSENSUS 2.0 at CND 68: A Platform for Global Dialogue
UNAM’s Faculty of Medicine hosted a historic event organized by Rome Consensus 2.0 and global partners, addressing alternatives to incarceration and fostering humanitarian drug policies.
Dr. Massimo Barra, founder of the Rome Consensus, has received the Henry Dunant Medal, the highest humanitarian honor. In his acceptance, Dr. Barra reminded us that “neutrality does not mean impotence” and warned that “if we remain in silence, we risk becoming accomplices.” Reflecting on his decades-long journey, he shared his commitment to being a “light in the darkness,” a hope that, for many, can “represent the difference between life and death.” Dr. Barra’s legacy inspires us to serve humanity with unwavering dedication.
On October 3, 2024, “Bodegón del Vicio” by María Portilla opened at LAGUNA in Mexico City. Supported by the Knowmad Institut and IAPA, both members of Rome Consensus 2.0, the event featured a discussion on inclusive drug policies. The conversation focused on stigma reduction, harm reduction, and legal reform, aligned with the Rome Consensus 2.0’s commitment to human dignity and public health.
On International Overdose Awareness Day, Villa Maraini-CRI and La Sapienza University of Rome launched the “THN- R(H)OME” project, providing free nasal spray Naloxone to prevent opioid overdose deaths. This initiative represents a significant advancement for the Rome Consensus 2.0, emphasizing harm reduction and human rights in drug policies. By equipping communities with life-saving tools and training, the project aligns with RC2’s mission to promote compassionate, person-centered public health approaches. Learn more about this milestone effort and how it contributes to a shift in addressing overdoses and addictions effectively and humanely. For more details or to get involved, contact Villa Maraini Foundation at +39 0665753055
Bishop Martin Díaz recently introduced the Rome Consensus 2.0 to Japanese students during a session with the Tobitate Dreamers Group, part of a Ministry of Education initiative in Japan. This presentation emphasized the need for drug policies that prioritize human rights and harm reduction, promoting a compassionate, non-punitive approach. The interactive session saw students engaging with these principles, exploring how they could apply them to foster more humane policies in their communities. This event underscores the importance of educating new generations on global approaches to drug policy and empowering them to develop innovative solutions to shared challenges.