Mainline International

19/02/2026

Chemsex amongst MSM in Asia is a growing phenomenon. Yet we see responses to its potential harms face challenges due to the lack of effective and scaled intervention. So how can we reduce potential harms and support individuals?

'Chemsex in Asia', is now Mainline's brand new webpage, a comprehensive manual that offers a practical toolkit for community-based organisations on how to respond to the specific needs of men who engage in chemsex. With contextual information, intervention models, and external resources, this guide is designed for anyone wants to learn more about chemsex in Asia and how to design, implement, and evaluate their own chemsex intervention. Visit the full page here: https://mainline.nl/en/chemsex-in-asia/

This comphrehensive manual about chemsex in Asia offers practical tools for community-based organisations to support MSM who have chemsex.

12/02/2026

Do you speak Portuguese? Want to learn more about harm reduction in Brazil?

The harm reduction intervention of ELRD, a collaboration with Mainline and supported by ViiV (and OSF) has been identified as one of the ten most successful HIV prevention experiences in Brazil in 2025, among more than one hundred initiatives led by civil society organizations. Recently, the project ranked eighth nationally in the selection organized by the Department of HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and STIs (Dathi) of the Ministry of Health. Find out more at https://ideiasus.fiocruz.br/praticas/reducao-de-danos-como-estrategia-para-aumentar-a-adesao-ao-tratamento-do-hiv-e-outras-ist-entre-pessoas-em-alta-vulnerabilidade-usuarias-de-dr**as-na-cidade-do-recife-pe/

A experiência “Redução de Danos como estratégia para aumentar a adesão ao tratamento do HIV e outras IST entre pessoas em alta vulnerabilidade usuárias de dr**as na cidade do Recife” foi desenvolvida pela Escola Livre de Redução de Danos (ELRD), em parceria com a Mainline Foundation (Hol...

05/02/2026

At night, you tell yourself: I’ll stop tomorrow. But then morning comes and you give in right away. How does that happen? To find out, you have to look inside your mind....

All sorts of things happen in your brain that make you crave drugs: its a complex interaction of signals between our brain cells and chemicals such as dopamine and endorphin. Our outreach worker, Has Cornelissen, describes the six main systems that interact in the process of maintaining (and losing) control.

Read the full article here: https://mainline.nl/en/you-want-to-stop-your-mind-doesnt/

22/01/2026

On the 30 of January, LEAP (Law Enforcement Action Partnership) will be hosting another exciting conference in Utrecht, entitled "After Prohibition: How Do We Make the Drug Supply Chain Compliant?".

LEAP is committed to drug regulation, bringing together professionals from policing, media, policy and the public to work on effective, evidence-based solutions that reduce harm and strengthen confidence in the rule of law. The conference will focus on how the Netherlands can move towards a system in which legislation and regulations contribute to public health, the rule of law and safety.

To find out more or to get your tickets now, go to: https://leapnl.nl/en/2025/12/02/after-prohibition-how-do-we-make-the-drug-supply-chain-compliant/

After Prohibition: How Do We Make the Drug Supply Chain Compliant? 02 Dec 30 January 2026, HUB50 Utrecht From repression to regulation — a sober look at production, distribution and consumption BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW During the previous LEAP conference at Utrecht’s HUB50, it became increasingly cl...

08/01/2026

The harm reduction intervention of Free School of Harm Reduction (ELRD), in collaboration with Mainline has been identified as one of the ten most successful HIV prevention approaches in 2025 in Brazil. The project aims to increase access to and uptake of HIV and STI testing and treatment services among marginalised young people living in Recife, particularly those who are living on the streets, those who are part of the LBGTIQ+ community, and those who use drugs.

We congratulate ELRD on this well-deserved praise for their work!

Want to know about ELRD's amazing work? Click here: https://mainline.nl/en/elrds-approach-one-of-most-successful/

The harm reduction programme of the ELRD has been recognized as one of the most successful HIV prevention strategies in Brazil.

01/01/2026

Earlier this year, the Global Fund reported drastic cuts to international development aid that would see them lose $18 billion of funding. It has just been announced that they have since raised $11.34 billion in funding, signally both renewed solidarity for their mission and increasing precarity in governmental support for harm reduction but in a changed world.

The Global Fund is an international financing organisation that aims to eradicate HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The status of the Global Fund is thus especially important to Mainline, as they are not only a partner, but one of the biggest financers of harm reduction in middle- and low-income countries.

Want to know more? Check out: https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/2025/2025-11-21-global-fund-partners-demonstrate-unity-resolve-sustain-progress-strengthen-global-health-security/

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) held its Eighth Replenishment Summit today in Johannesburg, South Africa, co-hosted by the governments of the Republic of South Africa and the United Kingdom on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Despite one of the most...

24/12/2025

Mainline wishes everyone happy holidays and a happy new year! We want to give a big thank to everyone who supported us, followed us, and shared their thoughts with us this year. 🎄✨

18/12/2025

We are happy to announce that our Drug Decriminalisation e-course is now back online. This course is designed for anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge on what drug decriminalisation is, how to advocate for this approach, and how to design a decriminalisation model that helps people who use drugs. And the best part is, it is available for free online, meaning you can do it whenever and wherever you want. So what are you waiting for? Sign up now at https://mainline.nl/en/projects/drug-decriminalisation-ecourse/

Want to expand your knowledge even more? Check out our Harm Reduction School for more free online courses: https://mainline.nl/en/harm-reduction-school/

Mainline helped to develop an e-learning about decriminalisation. This free online course equips you to advocate for decrim of drug use.

10/12/2025

Today, 10 December, is Human Rights Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year's theme is 'Our Everyday Essentials', which aims to remind us how human rights shape our daily lives, often in ways that go unnoticed or in ways we take for granted. We hope to use this day to continue affirming the basic human rights of people who use drugs and to reflect on the importance of fighting the criminalisation of drug use not just for people who use drugs, but for everyone.

Want to know more? Click on: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day

Human Rights Day commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

04/12/2025

Do you happen to speak Finnish fluently? Anna Abbing, who works in Finland on harm reduction and has Dutch roots, visited Mainline's office to learn about the Dutch approach. You can find her report here:
https://hppry.fi/blog/2025/11/29/opintomatka-hollannissa-olisiko-suomenkin-varauduttava-nitatseeneihin-ja-fentanyyliin/

See also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19cg6Cu9b8/

Jäsenemme Anna Abbing kävi tutustumassa päihdetyöhön Alankomaissa. Blogikirjoituksessaan hän kertoo havainnoistaan ja pohtii, mitä huumepolitiikassa meitä huomattavasti edellä olevan maan huumetyöstä voisi oppia. Puoliksi hollantilaisena päihdetyöntekijänä olen pohtinut paljon millais...

27/11/2025

Next week, on December 1st, it is World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and fighting back against HIV/AIDS. It is an opportunity for us to commemorate those who have lost their lives due to AIDS and to continue advocating for better treatment and prevention services for people living with HIV. Drug users are particularly at high risk of HIV infection. According to a 2020 study by the Aidsfonds, people who inject drugs are 22 times more likely to get an HIV injection than people who do not.

Want to learn more? Or want to see how you can make a difference? Check out: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-aids-day/2025