ERNA General Meeting 2025: Red Cross and Red Crescent Uniting for Community Health in Athens
The XXII General Meeting of the European Red Cross/Red Crescent Network on HIV, Hepatitis, TB and Substance Abuse (ERNA) will take place in Athens,
Rome Consensus 2.0
A Decade of Deflection: The First Academic Special Issue Celebrating 10 Years of a Humanitarian Innovation
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
Elevating Humanity in Public Health: IFRC and Rome Consensus 2.0 at the Fifth WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB)
In June 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened its Fifth Global Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB) to strengthen international solidarity and… Read More »Elevating Humanity in Public Health: IFRC and Rome Consensus 2.0 at the Fifth WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB)
A Landmark at the World Health Assembly: Rome Consensus 2.0 at the Heart of Humanitarian Drug Policy
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
When Justice Heals: Lessons from the “Drug Emergency” Forum in Rome
“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.
Science Meets Compassion: Advancing Deflection Through the Rome Consensus 2.0
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.
Villa Maraini’s emergency unit: a unique model of health and securityintegration in Italy to address drug problems
Since 1976, Villa Maraini Foundation has led a humanitarian approach to drug use, proving that care and safety can go hand in hand. Its 24/7 emergency unit — unique in Italy — bridges health services and law enforcement, offering immediate, person-centered support. Now, aligned with the Rome Consensus 2.0, Villa Maraini is preparing to launch a permanent task force to formalize this life-saving collaboration.
The Rome CONSENSUS 2.0 at CND 68: A Platform for Global Dialogue
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 Hosts a Historic Gathering on Humanitarian Drug Policies
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.
🌟 Honoring Humanity: Dr. Massimo Barra Awarded the Henry Dunant Medal
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.