Pre-conference Events
Each year, we host additional events alongside the main INHSU conference. This year, these events include our Community Day, a Policy Day, an EMCR & Community Networking Event, our INHSU Prisons Workshop, and our General Assembly Meeting & Networking Event.

Policy Day focussing on increasing Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) coverage globally, Monday 16th October
- 9am – 4pm (TBC)
- In-person only
- International Convention Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
OAT reduces many of the harms associated with opioid dependence, and increasing coverage globally will significantly affect morbidity and mortality outcomes for people who use drugs. Yet, despite the scaling up of many harm-reduction interventions, OAT coverage remains limited.
This meeting will provide a forum for discussing increasing country-level and individual OAT access, providing examples of countries that have recently introduced OAT, discussion of delivery models (including prison-based OAT), treatment modalities, and developments in OAT options. Focal countries include Kenya, Egypt, Georgia and India, among others.
How to register: our Policy Day is invite-only. To express interest, email info@inhsu.org

Community Day, Tuesday 17th October
- 11am – 3.30pm (+ optional site visit from 8:30am – 10:00am)
- In-person only
- Free to attend, and tickets available to non-conference delegates too
- International Convention Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
The INHSU Community Day is a vital part of the INHSU Conference, bringing together people with lived experiences of using drugs and ensuring their voice is amplified during the conference and beyond. This meeting is organised by the community, for the community, in collaboration with local and international harm reduction and community-based organisations.
How to register: You can sign up for the Community Day during the conference registration process. If you would like to sign up for the Community Day only, please email info@inhsu.org

INHSU Prisons 3rd Annual Workshop, Tuesday 17th October
- 1.00pm – 5.30pm
- In-person only
- Tickets available to conference delegates
- International Convention Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
Join INHSU’s Special Interest Group INHSU Prisons for an interactive workshop sharing global best practice, challenges, and enablers to the scale-up of HCV testing and treatment services, addressing reinfection and prevention through harm reduction interventions.
Topics will include best practice examples of HCV treatment as prevention in prisons, barriers and enablers for HCV treatment scale-up in prisons, with a focus on Low- and Middle- Income Countries, and harm reduction services in prisons.
How to register: You can express your interest in attending the INHSU Prisons workshop during the conference registration process.

Early-Mid-Career-Researcher and Community Networking Event, Tuesday 17th October
- 4:00pm – 5.30pm
- In-person only
- Tickets are available to conference delegates only
- International Convention Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
Open to all EMCRs and people with lived- and living-experience of drug use attending INHSU 2023, this networking event provides a chance to break down barriers and connect with people with interests in the health of people who use drugs. This event is scheduled ahead of the main conference to help build connections to last throughout and after the conference.
How to register: You can sign up for the EMCR & Community networking event during the conference registration process.

General Assembly Meeting & Networking Event, Tuesday 17th October
- 5:45pm – 7:15pm
- In-person only
- Open to INHSU members only. Become a member here
- International Convention Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
This event offers a unique opportunity to actively shape the strategic direction of our organisation, an opportunity to connect with fellow members, share your expertise, and celebrate the successes achieved over the past year.
This year’s meeting will be followed by an informal networking event, to enable our members to connect, forge meaningful relationships and strengthen connections within our dynamic community.
How to register: You can sign up for the GAM during the conference registration process.