19th Annual ISSDP Conference 2026
Connecting affected communities, drug policy and public health
The 19th annual ISSDP Conference will be held in Perth Australia hosted by the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University. It will be led by ISSDP members Simon Lenton, Paul Dietze and Bronwyn Myers, with Paul Dessauer (Peer Based Harm Reduction WA) and Bep Uink (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet).
Conference dates are 30th June to 2nd July 2026, with preconference workshops on Monday 29th June.
The 2026 ISSDP Conference is generously supported by Business Events Perth and the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia.
Early Bird Registration Extended to 13/03/26
Introduction
The 19th annual ISSDP conference, hosted from 30th June to 2nd July 2026 by the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University in Perth, will bring together drug policy scholars, policy makers, advocates and community voices, to explore drug policy, its formulation, effects and evaluation under the banner Connecting affected communities, drug policy and public health.
Drug policy has differential impacts on affected communities, and many are often sidelined in drug policy debates, both pre- and post-reform. Similarly, the inter-connection between drug policy and public health is not often paramount in debates around prohibition or post-prohibition models. Further, in the ‘fake news’ era there are questions about the credibility of scientific and non-scientific approaches to drug policy. Held in Australia for the first time in a decade, the 2026 conference encourages submissions from both the global south and the global north.
Emphasising the importance of people who use drugs and First Nations people in drug policy and its scholarship, it will also highlight how drug policy intersects with drug treatment, research with people with criminal legal system contact, local communities, families and others. Incorporating ISSDP’s focus on connecting and facilitating world-leading drug policy research, the conference will showcase novel methodological approaches and bring together a broad range of scholarship across the drug market, incorporating use, supply, cultivation/production and trafficking as well as other drug policy topics.
Registration
Early Bird Registration Extended to 13/03/26
There is a reduced registration fee for early Bird registrations, ISSDP Members, and students. A link to join ISSDP will be available on the registration portal.
| Early Bird registration rate (extended to 13/03/2026) |
Standard registration rate (closes 05/06/2026) |
||
| ISSDP Member | $630.00 AUD | ISSDP Member | $750.00 AUD |
| ISSDP Member Student | $450.00 AUD | ISSDP Member Student | $500.00 AUD |
| Non ISSDP Member | $840.00 AUD | Non ISSDP Member | $950.00 AUD |
| Non ISSDP Member Student | $500.00 AUD | Non ISSDP Member Student | $550.00 AUD |
ISSDP 2026 conference registration includes attendance to all conference sessions and in-program workshops held between Tuesday 30 June 2026 and Thursday 2 July 2026. Registration also includes lunch and morning and afternoon tea refreshments and entry to the conference Welcome Reception on Tuesday 30 June.
ISSDP members: Remember, to access the special member conference rate, you will need to input the ISSDP 2026 conference code ISSDP emailed to you in mid-November.
Note: ISSDP 2026 delegates are required to pay their fees when they register. To complete the registration and payment process, delegates must indicate if they are attending the conference dinner, including number of guests and dietary requirements (see Conference dinner section for more information).
Click here to register or for information on conference rates.
Conference dinner
The 2026 ISSDP sit-down conference dinner will be held at Beaumonde on the Point, a premium waterfront setting on the banks of the Swan River, on Wednesday 1 July 2026. Delegates will receive a 3-course meal while enjoying picturesque river vistas visible through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Click here to find out more about Beaumonde on the Point.
Call for abstracts
The call for abstracts for ISSDP 2026 is now closed.
Conference themes
For ISSDP 2026, we particularly encourage contributions that address the following conference themes:
- Drug markets, production and supply
- Methodological innovations
- Affected communities: People who use drugs, First Nations people and others
- Evidence on legalization and other alternatives to prohibition
- Public health, harm reduction, justice and drug policy
- Drug policy in the global south
- Drug treatment – goals, innovations and policy
- Drug policy, science and non-science in the ‘fake news’ era
- Other topics of drug policy scholarship
Conference convenors
- Simon Lenton – National Drug Research Institute (Australia) (NDRI)
- Paul Dessauer – Peer Based Harm Reduction Western Australia (PBHR WA)
- Bronwyn Myers – enAble Institute (Australia)
- Bep Uink – Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
- Paul Dietze – NDRI and Burnet
Scientific committee
- Lisbeth Vandam, PhD European Union Drugs Agency, Portugal.
- Marie Jauffret-Roustide, PhD French Institute of Health and Medical Research, France.
- Gideon Lasco, MD, PhD University of the Philippines Diliman, The Philippines.
- Rosario Queirolo, PhD Catholic University of Uruguay, Uruguay.
- Alex Stevens, PhD Kent University, UK.
- Margriet van Laar, PhD Trimbos Institute, The Netherlands
- Shaun Shelly Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Karen Laidler, PhD University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Alberto Aziani, PhD Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and Researcher at Transcrime, Italy
- Bisi Akintoye, PhD University of Roehampton, London, UK
- Daniel Bear, PhD Toronto, Canada
- Atul Ambekar, MD, National Drug Dependence and Treatment Centre, India
- Caitlin Hughes PhD Flinders University, Australia & ISSDP President
- Beau Kilmer, PhD RAND Drug Policy Research Center, USA & ISSDP Vice-President
- Monica Barratt, PhD Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Melbourne, Australia
- Karen Duke, PhD Middlesex University, UK
- David Decari Hetu,PhD University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Vibeke Frank PhD Research Center for Social Vulnerability VIA University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Daniel Ciccarone, MD, MPH University of Southern California, USA
- Eric Sevigny, PhD Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, USA
- Marta Rychert, PhD SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, New Zealand
- Rebecca Askew, PhD Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
- Janni Leung, PhD National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research (NCYSUR), University of Queensland, Australia
- Amy Peacock, PhD National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Stuart Kinner, PhD School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Darcy Coulter, PhD enAble Institute and School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Michael Curtis, PhD NDRI, Curtin University, Melbourne, Australia
- Jodie Grigg, PhD NDRI, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Sam Colledge-Frisby, PhD NDRI, Curtin University, Melbourne, Australia
- Paul Dessauer, CEO Peer Based Harm Reduction WA, Perth, Australia
- Bep Uink, PhD Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
- Bronwyn Myers, PhD enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
- Paul Dietze, PhD Burnet and NDRI, Curtin University, Melbourne Australia
Keynote Speakers
The Conference Convenors in conjunction with the Scientific Committee are in the process of inviting a great program of keynote speakers for the event and will announce these as they are confirmed.
Judy Chang
Judy Chang is Program Manager at Open Society Foundations (OSF) working on drug policy. Prior to OSF, she was the Executive Director of the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD) working to advance human rights, health and dignity through lived experience leadership. She has written and published articles grounded in feminist, anti-punitive and community-led approaches to drug policy, emphasizing care, solidarity and the leadership of people most impacted by drug laws.
Dr Marianne Jauncey
The 2026 Franz Trautmann Memorial Keynote Lecturer, Dr Marianne Jauncey, is a public health physician and the Medical Director of Australia’s first Supervised Injecting Centre. Her advocacy has contributed to campaigning for decriminalisation; Australia’s first trial of hydromorphone; and NSW’s first drug checking pilot. Marianne has conducted drug policy research, countless media interviews and community led conversations, reframing narratives about people who use drugs away from fear towards fairness and dignity.
Dr Christopher M. Jones
Dr Christopher M. Jones, PharmD., DrPH, MPH. Chris serves as Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and acting Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In addition to these significant leadership positions, Chris maintains an active research portfolio and has authored over 200 publications on substance use, addiction, mental health, and injury and violence prevention.
Scholarships
For the 2026 conference in Perth the ISSDP will sponsor at least three scholarships. The scholarships will include a reimbursement of registration fee and up to 2500 British pounds to cover travel and lodging. The scholarship categories are:
- Early career researcher (5 years since most recent degree)
- Researcher from a low- or middle-income country (using the World Bank’s classification for fiscal year 2025)
- Researcher with lived and/or living experience of drugs, including family members.
Applicants must check the relevant scholarship option when submitting their abstract and upload a short paragraph about why they should be selected (max 250 words). The review committee will take this paragraph into account as well as the quality of the abstract.
Pre-conference workshops
There will be a range of pre-conference workshops held on Monday 29th June at the conference venue. These will be announced as details become available.
Registration and payment (where applicable) for each of these will be separate to registration for the conference.
Registration for workshops IS NOW OPEN. We expect them to fill up fast, so get in quick and register below. Places will be limited and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis.
ISSDP 2026 Pre-Conference Workshop#1
Media Training for Drug Policy Researchers
** REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN **
Register for this Pre-Conference Workshop
One important way drug researchers can influence drug policy is to share their research findings in the public realm via the media. While no-one understands their work better than the researcher themselves, the skills of research and the skills of effective media communication are not the same.
This workshop will be targeted at drug policy researchers who want to become more comfortable and confident in engaging with the media, as an interpreter of their own research or an expert in their field. The targeted, practical workshop will be particularly useful to early-or mid-career researchers, but will benefit anyone who wants to improve their media and research dissemination skills or build their own profile.
Delivered by Curtin University’s Corporate Communications (Media) team, the half-day workshop will be tailored to ISSDP delegates and includes input from professionals with experience in media communication in the drug policy research field. Covering topics from how and why to engage with the media and handy tips and tricks for print, online, radio and television, plus one-on-one interview practice, the workshop will:
- Include a hands-on component with full camera setups to simulate real media interviews
- Engage all participants in live scenarios with interview-style questions simulating real-life scenarios
- Provide real-time coaching and feedback on interview performance during the session, and
- Provide all participants with a copy of their recorded individual interview experience post-session for personal review and development.
For participants presenting their research at the ISSDP conference, there will be an opportunity for interview scenarios to be informed by that work.
Dependent on numbers of registrants, workshops will be conducted in two groups of 20 participants each (capped to ensure individual attention) at the Curtin campus where ISSDP 2026 is being held.
The morning workshop will be 9am-12:30pm and the afternoon workshop is 1pm-4:30pm. Note: participants will be randomly assigned to a workshop unless a preference is indicated at time of registering.
Registration for these workshops will open in early February. We expect them to fill up fast, so look out for announcements and watch this space to get in quick once registration opens. Places will be limited and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis.
Cost: 220 AUD (inclusive of GST) per delegate (paid when registering for the workshop)
Supporting your travel to Australia
Visa requirements
The Australian Government advises allowing 6-8 weeks (from intended date of travel) for processing of visa applications, so ISSDP 2026 delegates are advised to apply once they have confirmation of an accepted abstract and/or no later than 1 May 2026.
Visa requirements differ depending on country of origin, but all ISSDP delegates who are not Australian passport holders will require a visa. Information for selected countries is included below.
Note: the most inexpensive and quickest options are outlined here. For further general information about travelling to Australia, including all visa options, click here.
Australian and New Zealand passport holders
Australian citizens should travel on an Australian passport. New Zealand passport holders are granted a visa on arrival in Australia.
- Check your eligibility here.
Travellers from Europe and the UK
Travellers from the United Kingdom and most European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, The Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries, can apply for the eVisitor (subclass 601) visa. This visa is free. You can also apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa – see ‘Travellers from US and Canada’ section for more information.
- Check the full list of countries and apply here.
Travellers from the US and Canada
ISSDP 2026 delegates from the US or Canada can apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa. There is an application service fee of AUD20 to use the Australian ETA app.
- For more information and to apply, click here.
Travellers from selected Asian countries
ISSDP 2026 delegates from Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan can apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa. There is an application service fee of AUD20 to use the Australian ETA app. Applicants from Malaysia should note that there may be additional information and documentary requirements.
- For more information and to apply, click here.
Travellers from other countries
If you do not hold a passport from the United Kingdom, U.S., Canada or the European or Asian countries listed in the above categories, you can apply for a Business Visitor visa (subclass 600). There is a AUD200 service fee. Applicants should include as much information as possible to support their visa applications, including evidence of any international travel outside of their own country (for example, copies of visas and passport pages containing entry and departure stamps) and information and evidence of attendance at similar events of this type/nature.
- For more information and to apply, click here. It is advised you follow the step-by-guide before applying for the visa.
Arranging a study stay or visit
Australia is known as one of the leading countries in alcohol and other drug research generally, and drug policy research specifically. If you are travelling to Australia for the ISSDP 2026, why not arrange a short study stay, or visit, with a research institute or other organisation before or after the conference?
Key hubs include Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane. If you are interested in arranging a visit, please check out the websites below and follow up with an email to the contact person listed here who have said they would be keen to arrange such visits. Of course, these are not the only organisations you might like to visit so don’t restrict yourself to this list.
Note that these arrangements require direct contact between yourself and the relevant organisations listed here, not through the conference host (NDRI) or the ISSDP.
Conference venue
Location
For the first time ever, the annual ISSDP conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia in 2026.
The venue for ISSDP 2026 is Curtin University, located in the south-eastern suburb of Bentley, about 8km from the Perth CBD.
About Perth
Perth edges the Indian Ocean and is framed around the enormous Kings Park and Botanic Garden and the Swan River. Western Australia’s capital, Perth is a dynamic, safe, friendly and clean city that balances natural beauty with a lively after-dark scene.
It will be winter in Perth during ISSDP 2026, with average temperatures ranging from 8°C to 19°C. Expect mild winter days that can occasionally reach 20°C or higher, and while rain is frequent, it typically comes in short, sharp bursts. For a comfortable stay, pack a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof shoes. Check the weather forecast when you arrive and if rain is expected, purchase an umbrella when you arrive (although moving between conference venues will be entirely under cover).
- Click here for more information about visiting Perth and Western Australia
Getting here
More than 30 international and domestic airlines travel to Perth, with many offering direct flights including from London, Rome, Auckland and Tokyo, and from all Australian capital cities. ISSDP 2026 will be hosted at Curtin University in Bentely, which is a 30-minute drive south of Perth.
Arriving in Perth
All international and domestic flights arrive at one of four terminals at Perth Airport.
For international passengers, your airline will give you an Incoming Passenger Card before you arrive. If you are carrying items such as food, animal products or plant material (including wooden articles) these must be declared on your Incoming Passenger Card or disposed of in the bins at the airport.
- International visitors can click here for more information on what you can and can’t bring into Australia. Domestic travellers can click here for more information on WA’s quarantine laws
On arrival, eligible travellers can self-process through Passport Control ‘SmartGates’ using ePassport data and face recognition technology. Your passport is an ePassport if it has a have an ePassport symbol on your passport. After you pass through inbound passport control, you can collect your baggage. Note: your baggage may be checked by Australian Border Force and/or Department of Agriculture biosecurity officers.
- Click here for more information about eligibility and arriving in Australia
Airport transfers
ISSDP 2026 is hosted in Bentley, which is a 15-20 minute drive from the airport. It is a similar distance from the airport for those staying in the Perth CBD or South Perth (see accommodation section for more information). There are multiple options to travel from Perth Airport, including public transport (trains and buses), taxis, rideshare and airport transfers.
- Click here for more information
Accommodation
There are multiple accommodation options within a convenient distance to Curtin University in Bentley, including in nearby South Perth and the Perth CBD. Accommodation options also cater for all budgets, ranging from youth hostels to serviced apartments, bed and breakfasts, and hotels.
We have negotiated special conference rates for ISSDP 2026 delegates with specific hotels, which are outlined below.
Note: ISSDP 2026 delegates are responsible for booking their own accommodation directly with their chosen provider.
- For other options or further information, go to westernaustralia.com or Destination Perth.
Hotels offering ISSDP 2026 conference rates
DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront
Location: Perth CBD
* * 15% off the flexible rate – use this link (bookable until 30 days ahead)* *
Rates are for room only, breakfast on consumption is served in Reel Kitchen
One night deposit is required at the time of booking and will be charged to guest card on file
Tax receipt will be provided to guest on check-out
Free cancellation is available up to 30 days prior to the arrival
Rates available for stays 27 June-2 July 2026
Parmelia Hilton Perth
Location: Perth CBD
* * 20% off our flexible rate – use this link (bookable until 30 days ahead) **
Guests will be required to provide credit card details at time of booking
Free cancellation is available up to 30 days prior to the arrival
A cancelation penalty will be charged to the card on file for guest who cancels within 30 days of arrival or is a ‘no show’ for their reservation
Quest South Perth Apartment Hotel
Location: South Perth Foreshore
* * 12% off the best available rate – use CNDRI code (bookable until 29 May 2026) * *
To access the discount, put CNDRI into the ‘promo code’ field on the website
Rates available for stays 26 June- 4 July 2026
Westin Perth
Location: Perth CBD
* * Group rate: 290AUD a night – use this link (bookable until 27 May 2026) * *
Rate available for stays 28 June-3 July 2026
Further details and where to go for help
Further details about the conference including keynote speakers, accommodation, social activities, and side-events will be released in coming months.
For any other conference enquiries please email issdp2026perth@gmail.com
Conference sponsors
The 2026 ISSDP Conference is generously supported by Business Events Perth and the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia.
