My experience with the European Drugs Winter School (EDWS) 2025
Aisha Siddiqua
Department of Addictology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
I was extremely encouraged to apply for the European Winter School 2025 on Illicit Drugs in Europe: Demand, Supply, and Public Policies, which I learned through the EUSPR Early Career Forum. The most worthwhile aspect was, EUSPR Early Career Forum offered fully funded scholarships for EFC members to attend the winter school. I saw it as a great learning opportunity and contacted ECF lead Mr. Boris Chapoton. He encouraged my interest and assisted me through the application process. After following the formal official procedure, I was able to join the school after winning a fully financed scholarship from EUSPR Early Career Forum funded by EUDA.
This program closely aligned with my academic interests and career goals in public health, social policy, and drug prevention measures. The Winter School’s multidisciplinary approach helped me better appreciate how drug-related difficulties are shaped by intricate linkages between supply and demand dynamics, societal contexts, and regulatory frameworks. I was particularly interested in learning from professionals from across Europe and exchanging ideas with peers who share my commitment to evidence-based policymaking. Exposure to evidence-based case studies, comparative policies, and innovative initiatives from various EU member states considerably improved my analytical and practical abilities. The Winter School provided an excellent opportunity to combine academic learning with hands-on policy analysis, and I was super excited to participate in this immersion experience to better understand and address one of Europe’s most critical public health concerns.
What I learned and how it relates to my Doctoral Studies
Participation in the European Winter School provided tremendous support for my doctoral studies in Prevention Science. The program’s thorough focus on the sociopolitical, economic, and public health aspects of drug use has helped me better grasp the complex forces that drive substance misuse in Europe. Gaining insights into evidence-based policy responses and prevention tactics significantly impacted my doctoral research, notably in the design and evaluation of community-based interventions. The Winter School’s multidisciplinary framework and access to specialists from all over Europe provided significant comparative views that strengthened the academic and practical foundation of my work. In addition, interacting with other participants was a great experience which promoted collaborative learning and collaboration. Overall, this experience improved my PhD’s academic quality and societal relevance, allowing me to make a more effective contribution to the subject of drug prevention and public policy.
A few broad lessons emerged during the two weeks of hard study. First and foremost, integrated approaches are crucial; effective drug policy cannot rely only on healthcare or criminal legislation; rather, it must combine both with social support networks. Second, efficacy is increased by international cooperation. Third, the best preventative is early intervention. Fourth, damage reduction must be viewed as a pillar rather than a backup plan because it reduces crime and saves lives. Last but not least, the most lasting realization was that drug policy ought to be fair, compassionate, and grounded in facts rather than opinion.
A comprehensive and incredibly unique view of the problems of illegal substances in Europe was provided by the Winter School 2025. I earned a 6 credit hours certificate after the final examination. In addition to imparting academic knowledge, it was successful in getting participants to reconsider what prevention means in the twenty-first century. Every aspect of society, from jails to playgrounds, from law enforcement to healthcare, has a part to play in tackling this persistent issue. I am thankful to my Department of Addictology, Charles University management who encouraged me to take the course and extremely grateful to EFC-EUSPR support, which made my experience incredible.
Want to know more about Winter School 2025?
Winter School 2025: Theme and Learning
European Winter School 2025, Illicit drugs in Europe: demand, supply and public Policies Crime Prevention and Communities that Care approach which took place from March 10th to 21st, 2025, organized by European Drug Agency (EUDA) and ISCTE –University Institute of Lisbon offered a thorough and engaging examination of illegal drugs in Europe, with a focus on supply, demand, and public policy responses. It was indeed a wonderful experience for me and helped to understand the various drug related trends and crimes in Europe. A wide range of students, professionals, and researchers attended the school, which also focused on evidence-based approaches to crime prevention and the integration of community care. The course evolved into a coherent narrative that described the current status of drug-related challenges in Europe, which has been impacted by changing geopolitical conditions, international cooperation, and evolving public health and criminal justice perspectives. Marica Ferri from EUDA kicked off the session with an introduction to the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), formerly the EMCDDA. The agency’s expanded mandate and operational scope were extensively explored. Teresa Pereira also welcomed all the participants and presenters on behalf of ISCTE –University Institute of Lisbon. EUDA organized a fantastic EDWS alumni gathering during the school. The majority of the alumini joined to exchange pleasantries and experiences. Bettina Kehr from EUDA managed the event. The event was made possible by her sharing a specially created link with all of the alumini.
A two-week learning adventure- Discussions and knowledge sharing
The program’s agenda was created with current trends and best practices in mind, with the goal of providing accurate and up-to-date information in a short amount of time. Throughout the two weeks, the thoughtful presentations were made by keynote speakers including Laurent Laniel, Frederick Groeger-Roth, Rachele Donini, Annemie Coone, Brendan Hughes, Lucas Wiessing, Isabelle Giraudon, Linda Montanari, Monica Diniz, Roberto Perez Gayo. Students also gave presentations on different topics linked to the theme of the school.
We started our first formal session with Anne Bergenstrom, she gave a detailed explanation of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study and how it relates to substance use disorders. She emphasized that there are an estimated 292 million drug users globally, a statistic that is still rising. Cannabis is the most often used drug, followed by cocaine, ecstasy, stimulants, and painkillers. An estimated 13.9 million injectable drug users reside in North America and Eastern Europe. Opioids continue to be the leading source of the global substance use burden, accounting for 71% of drug-related DALYs and 69% of drug overdose deaths. Bergenstrom advocated for comprehensive harm reduction strategies like opioid agonist therapies (OAT), needle exchange programs, and supervised drug use rooms to lower health hazards.
Charlotte De Kock presented the concept of crime prevention, its theoretical foundations, and its application to drug-related crime. She highlighted the ways in which various legal, cultural, and contextual perspectives impact the definition and social construction of crime. By tracing the evolution of the global drug control system from a single, prohibition-based paradigm to the present, when it is undergoing pressures for change, division, and disintegration, Danilo Ballotta provided a critical viewpoint on the system. As countries choose varying national tactics that jeopardize multilateral coherence, Ballotta predicts that worldwide drug control will become a “patchwork” in the future. He called for a comprehensive assessment of the current system, perhaps led by an expert team, in order to realign drug policy with development, rights, and health issues.
How crimes are linked to violence: An evidence-based approach
An exclusive discussion was made on drug related violence. As concerns about the scope, character, and effects on public safety increase, drug-related violence in Europe is becoming a more complicated and urgent issue. This violence, which is often characterized by violent clashes between rival criminal networks, particularly in major distribution hubs, is most directly linked to the cocaine and cannabis markets. This violence is especially difficult to control since it is systemic and ingrained in the functioning of illegal drug marketplaces. Public anxiety is increased and urgent requests for intervention are sparked by the frequent capture of innocent bystanders in the crossfire. The claim that drug-related violence has gotten worse in numerous EU member states is supported by reports of previously unheard-of levels of brutality in some locations. However, defining and measuring drug-related violence remains a major obstacle to developing effective policy responses. Drug-related violence is commonly conceptualized using Goldstein’s tripartite paradigm, which divides it into three categories: psychopharmacological, economic-compulsive, and systemic. Participants were informed that there are numerous challenges in accurately assessing drug-related violence. Drug-related homicides (DRH) are one of the best indicators of this type of violence, although statistics on these crimes are not regularly and completely gathered across Europe. Only a few countries regularly submit DRH data, and there are major obstacles to effective monitoring.
In a tremendously informative presentation, the senior officer of the Marine Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics), MAOC (N), provided insight into the global reach of marine drug trafficking. MAOC (N) is a cooperative European initiative to combat transnational drug trafficking via air and marine routes. Another crucial topic was the Global Burden of Disease Associated with Substance Use, which demonstrated how, in addition to damaging individuals, substance addiction had a major detrimental effect on public health systems and societal cohesion. Following the drug supply chain, the “From poppy fields to party pills” session demonstrated how synthetic drugs in urban environments developed from traditional agriculture (e.g., poppy for heroin). This lesson connected the micro-level effects of drugs to their macro-level geopolitical repercussions.
The program placed a strong emphasis on how drug geopolitics affects international security and policy. It has been demonstrated that unstable states and conflict areas frequently turn into hubs for drug production and trafficking, while enforcement in consumer countries frequently exacerbates rather than resolves the issue. Several important data platforms used throughout the EU to monitor crime and drug trends were presented to the participants in another crucial session on research and databases for crime prevention. The long-term effects of prevention programs like “Unplugged” on young people’s behavior were examined. There has been a discernible decrease in future drug use and associated delinquency as a result of these school-based initiatives. Prevention needs to be integrated into professional training in the fields of education, healthcare, and law enforcement, according to the session on empowering field workers. By incorporating these frameworks, frontline staff are better prepared to identify early indicators of substance addiction and take necessary action. In order to put theory into reality and, eventually, guarantee the continuation of preventive actions, professional empowerment was emphasized as being crucial.
What are European Drug Regulations – Role and Scope
An overview of European drug regulations was also covered in the course, revealing a patchwork of different member state approaches. Some nations have experimented with decriminalization or medicinal legalization, while others continue to enforce tight prohibition. The participants critically examined the ways in which legal frameworks influence drug use and the actions of law enforcement, emphasizing the necessity of further EU-wide harmonization to prevent legal snags and jurisdictional disparities. One particularly powerful section covered Opioid Agonist Maintenance Treatment (OAMT), which includes drugs like buprenorphine and methadone. These therapies have been shown to help lower heroin consumption and avoid overdose. The lectures also emphasized a slow but significant move away from punitive frameworks toward public health-centered approaches when thinking about the future of international drug policy. Another compelling issue was the reality of drug use in both adult and adolescent prisons. Addiction rates are frequently greater in incarcerated populations, and recidivism rates are still high in the absence of access to quality treatment. One of the topics looked at effective prison-based programs that lower drug usage and criminal activity after release. Sessions on drug-related violence looked at how drug use and sales, particularly in underserved communities, might intensify conflict. The controversial topic of decriminalization and its impact on crime prevention was discussed in the last session. Based on data from EU member states, it was demonstrated that decriminalization can lower drug-related arrests and enhance health outcomes when combined with funding for prevention and treatment. A concluding questions & answers session was hosted by Alexis Goosdeel, Director EUDA in the end of the course.
#BERLIN25
About the author
Aisha is a dedicated Prevention and Health Care Professional, Researcher, and Global Master Trainer for UNODC, Colombo Plan/ INL with superior record of community services, project management, policy making, globally serving to different communities for addiction treatment and prevention.
You can contact her at siddiqua229[at]gmail.com for any enquiries
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
EUSPR Early Careers Forum (August 11, 2025). My experience with the European Drugs Winter School (EDWS) 2025. Preventing disease and ill health. Retrieved May 19, 2026 from https://doi.org/10.58079/14gzh


