The 2017 edition of the World Drug Report is now available from the UNODC web site. As usual it presents a massive amount of data on drug consumption and related problem. The 2017 version has a different format than the previous report as it is split into five booklets.

The Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Melbourne, Australia is one month away. Starting 4 October, the conference’s theme of “Mobilising for Change – Alcohol policy and the evidence for action” builds on earlier conferences’ translation of evidence into action and recognises the increasing momentum around the world to stop harm caused by alcohol.

The new National Alcohol Policy for Malawi has been in the making since 2008, a process originally initiated by a group of NGOs. On the 18^th of August almost ten years later the Minister of Health, Atupele Muluzi, could launch the final document at a colourful ceremony in Dedza District.

The Montevideo Roadmap is weak on addressing alcohol as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases, comment three large global NGO networks. They all recommend increased use of fiscal measures like alcohol taxation to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.

​Yet another regional alcohol policy alliance is now a reality; The Western African Alcohol Policy Alliance (WAAPA). The new alliance has members from six countries. Dr. Umenze Franklin Chukwuma from Nigeria was elected the first chairperson of the alliance.

The programme for the Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2017 (GAPC), to be held in Melbourne Australia 4-6 October 2017, is available. The option for early bird registration is still open until 30 June.