Mainline International

11/09/2025

Ever wanted to learn about drug use, drug policy and harm reduction in Morocco, Burundi or South Africa? Over the past few years, Mainline has been a partner in the Love Alliance programme, helping design a database with information on drug use and harm reduction across the 10 African Love Alliance countries. And we are happy to announce that the updated database is now online! For the full breakdown, check it out here:

The Love Alliance brings together organisations led by communities most affected by HIV and AIDS in 10 selected African countries.

04/09/2025

HIV prevention news

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines recommending the use of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) twice a year as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention. LEN, the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP product, offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options. With just two doses per year, LEN is a step forward in protecting people at risk of HIV. Read the whole story here:
https://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2025-who-recommends-injectable-lenacapavir-for-hiv-prevention

The World Health Organization (WHO) released today new guidelines recommending the use of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) twice a year as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention, in a landmark policy action that could help reshape the global HIV response.

31/08/2025

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. We remember those we have lost to overdose, acknowledge the grief of their loved ones, and recommit ourselves to ending overdoses and the harm they cause.
See for more information on International Overdose Awareness Day: https://www.dea.gov/ioad

28/08/2025

Are you wondering what our Mainline office looks like and what harm reduction in the Netherlands is like? Drew Hawkins, a reporter at New Orleans Public Radio, visited Mainline and wrote about it. Here's a quote:

“Cornelissen said the Dutch don’t embrace these harm reduction strategies because they’re more tolerant or open to drug use. It’s because they work. Harm reduction is often cited for its role in solving the country's he**in crisis in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s. For the former physics teacher, harm reduction is as fundamental as a law of nature.”

You can read the full story here: https://www.wwno.org/public-health/2025-05-29/going-dutch-harm-reduction-is-embraced-in-the-netherlands-but-struggles-in-the-us

The Netherlands has proven drug use harm reduction works. So why does it still face stigma, criminalization and political resistance in the Gulf South?

21/08/2025

Do you want to learn more about harm reduction? Then we have something for you! Our Harm Reduction School is a free, online learning platform that helps people explore topics related to drugs — from general knowledge to more specific subjects. Anyone can take the courses anytime, from anywhere.

The platform is designed to empower individuals with knowledge about safer drug use, reducing stigma, and supporting mental health. Our online school makes practical, experience-based harm reduction knowledge accessible to everyone, whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your skills.

Courses range from basic harm reduction practices to more specialized topics — for example women who use drugs. This course covers topics such as stigma, the risks, and the consequences faced by women who use drugs. It also focuses on s*x work and its’ effects on women's health. Additionally, it touches on interventions that can help women overcome their drug use.

All courses are self-paced, so you can learn at a speed that works for you. They’re fun, interactive, and easy to follow. You’ll find videos, quizzes, and real-life examples that help make the lessons stick. Our Harm Reduction School helps you build safe, smart, and effective ways to reduce drug-related harm — for yourself or for others. Visit our pnline school at: https://harmreductionschool.teachable.com/

14/08/2025

Did you know that Fentanyl is about 50x more potent than he**in? Nitazenes can be up to 200x more powerful.

Fentanyl and Nitazines are not just in the US. They are also crossing the border. So if you want to know more about these upcoming drugs, check our page:

De extreme potentie van fentanyl en nitazenen betekent dat zelfs een milligram (een duizendste van een gram) genoeg kan zijn om een fatale overdosis te veroorzaken Je hoort vaak over Fentanyl en Nitazenen en hun verband met de opioïdencrisis in de Verenigde Staten. Maar deze stoffen worden ook stee...

07/08/2025

We’re still here! Sorry for taking such a long break. But we’re back 😊.

Are you a Dutch speaker? Follow us on LinkedIn.

Interested in more information on Chems*x? Go to chems*x.nl/en.

Want to follow us in English? You’ve come to the right place! If you want to make sure you don’t miss a thing, sign up for our free bi-monthly newsletter: https://mainline.nl/en/newsletter/

(Photo: Pexels)

23/10/2024

❗❗❗ URGENT ❗❗❗

Dear International Friends,

This week we received HORRIBLE NEWS: the state secretary of health has decided to stop Mainline’s funding. This decision is being debated in the parliament today and tomorrow. The decision is not based on the quality or the importance of our work: it is a cold budget cut with no political vision behind it. You can help us in our attempt to reverse this decision by sending an email to the MPs working on health.

Find a concept email and the addresses on our website here:

The Dutch Ministry of Health is implementing cruel austerity. It would take away all of Mainline's funding within a few years, which means the end of our organization. Help us send emails to the Ministerial Commission in charge!