EUDA webinar: #ScaleUp initiative — scalable interventions for the treatment and care of stimulant use disorders
Objective: This event marks the first in a series of webinars under the #ScaleUp project, a joint initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). The initiative aims to address the treatment gap for stimulant use disorders and expand related evidence-based responses. The webinar series is designed to progressively address the key domains of stimulant use disorder treatment and care.
This first session will focus on pharmacological aspects, including pharmacological research and treatment outcomes. It will pave the way for subsequent webinars, which will concentrate on evidence-based psychosocial interventions and recovery management approaches.
Building on the organisations’ long-standing collaboration in drug prevention, treatment and care, this webinar will share insights into joint current developments in pharmacological strategies for stimulant use disorders. In addition, it will present the main activities of 2026, particularly those aimed at developing a landscape analysis on current approaches and research on stimulant use disorder treatment.
The webinar will bring together leading global stakeholders, from implementers and researchers to clinicians and experts, to reflect on ongoing challenges, share lessons and co-design pathways for scaling up effective responses.
Background: The #ScaleUp initiative, launched in 2024, supports countries in developing, adapting and scaling evidence-based interventions, ensuring that innovations are feasible, safe, context-sensitive and sustainable.
There is a recognised urgent need to advance research on the treatment and care of stimulant use disorders. In response to the increasing prevalence and harms associated with non-medical stimulant use globally, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) adopted Resolution 68/2 — Promoting research on scientific evidence-based interventions for the treatment and care of stimulant use disorders, presented by Thailand and Norway, with broad support, including from EU countries.
In conversation with:
- Giovanna Campello, UNODC, Chief, Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section.
- Anja Busse, WHO, Team Lead, Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours.
- Fatemeh Chalabianloo, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
- Thiago Fidalgo, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Chairperson: Marica Ferri (EUDA).
Opening remarks: Dr Lorraine Nolan, EUDA Executive Director.
Organisers: Marica Ferri, Anna Ferrara, Marco Costa, Silke Vitt.
Format: Opening remarks, panellists’ questions, Q&A, closing remarks.
Length: 1.5 hours.
Participants: The webinar is open to all upon registration, after which the person will receive a link to connect.
Webinar etiquette: We welcome participants using the chat during the webinar, but kindly ask them to refrain from using it for airing grievances, promoting events/commercial initiatives or misusing contact details. Please engage with courtesy and respect. Violation of these guidelines may result in exclusion from the chat by the administrator. Thank you for your cooperation in making this webinar a positive and focused learning experience for all.
Date: 28 January 2026, 12:00–13:30 Lisbon time (WET), 13.00–14.30 (CET).
Platform: Zoom.
More information about #ScaleUp
- #ScaleUp - UNODC initiative on promoting scalable and effective interventions for the treatment of stimulants use disorders (UNODC)
- Scalable interventions for the treatment and care of stimulants use disorders (WHO)
- Bridging the Global Treatment Gap for Cocaine and Stimulant Use Disorders Through Multinational Collaboration and Innovation (EUDA document library)