Harm Reduction International traces its origins to the first International Conference on the Reduction of Drug-Related Harm, held in Liverpool, England in 1990. The city was one of the first to open needle and syringe programmes, and attracted hundreds of visitors each year who wanted to learn about the Mersey Model of harm reduction.

The success of the first conference led to its establishment as an annual event held in major cities around the world. It helped to spread the principles behind harm reduction, share knowledge and experience, and build networks of harm reduction practitioners and activists to broaden the response to HIV and unsafe injecting practices.

The International Harm Reduction Association is registered.

Patrick O’Hare is formally appointed as Executive Director and begins the organisation’s work connecting with partners around the world.

We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in New Delhi, India.

We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Gerry Stimson appointed as Executive Director.

We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The International Activists who use Drugs launch the Vancouver Declaration at the Harm Reduction International Conference held in Vancouver, Canada.

We expanded our activities to include work on public health, funding for harm reduction and human rights.

We tracked the use of the death penalty for drug offences around the world and published our first flagship publication on the topic.

We published the first edition of the Global State of Harm Reduction – a ground-breaking mapping harm reduction services and policy.

Rick Lines appointed as Executive Director.

We launched the Beirut Declaration on HIV and injecting drug use at the Harm Reduction International Conference in Lebanon, calling for a renewed commitment to HIV-related harm reduction and drug policy reform.

The harm reduction sector releases the Kuala Lumpur Declaration at the Harm Reduction International Conference in Malaysia, calling for an alternative response to drug use that is rooted in evidence, public health, human rights and dignity.

We changed our name from The International Harm Reduction Association to Harm Reduction International.

We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Montreal, Canada.

Naomi Burke-Shyne appointed as Executive Director.

We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Porto, Portugal.

Harm Reduction International celebrated 25 years.

We launched a new logo and visual identity, reflecting our commitment to evidence and bold advocacy.

We held the Harm Reduction International Conference in Melbourne, Australia.