Health, justice and social responses to drug-related violence — 1st European Conference on Drug-Related Violence

Description

The first European Conference on Drug-Related Violence, co-organised by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and the European Commission, brought together policymakers, practitioners, civil society and researchers from across Europe to explore the complex interplay between drug markets and violence. Held in Brussels in November 2024, the conference provided a unique platform for knowledge exchange, evidence sharing and collaborative discussion on how to better understand, monitor and respond to drug-related violence in the EU.

Plenary session 3: Health, justice and social responses to drug-related violence 

Chair: Jane Mounteney, Head of unit, Public health, EUDA 

Co-Chair: Marica Ferri, Head of sector, Support to practice, EUDA 

Speakers: 

• Elizabeth Johnston, Executive Director of the European Forum for Urban Security, France 
• Fabio Ciciliano, Head of Department, Civil Protection Department, Italy 
• Didier Laguerre, Mayor of Fort de France, Martinique, France 
• Catherine Comiskey, Professor of Healthcare Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Ireland 

Moderator: Florence Ranson 

This plenary explored policy and practice responses to drug-related violence across health, justice and social sectors. Speakers shared city-level and national initiatives that integrate prevention, policing and public health interventions to reduce violence and strengthen community resilience. 

The session highlighted innovative and community-driven responses from across Europe, with contributions from senior policymakers, practitioners and researchers. Discussions focused on urban safety, social cohesion, public health-led approaches and the importance of intersectoral collaboration to address the root causes of drug-related violence.