Zambia Network of People Who Use Drugs

26/06/2026

Solidarity, Don't Punish.

Today we stand in solidarity with communities around the world calling for compassion, dignity, and justice instead of punishment.

We believe that every person deserves access to healthcare, support services, and opportunities to thrive—free from stigma, discrimination, and criminalization. Together, we can build safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities where no one is left behind.

Solidarity saves lives. Punishment does not.

26/06/2026

Support, Don't Punish – 26 June

Today we join the global Support Don't Punish campaign to call for health, dignity, and human rights for people who use drugs.

Punitive drug policies do not solve problems—they increase stigma, discrimination, and barriers to healthcare. We believe in evidence-based harm reduction, access to treatment, and policies that put people before punishment.

Together, let's build communities where everyone is treated with respect, compassion, and dignity.

Support. Don't Punish.

17/06/2026

Today, the Zambia Network of People Who Use Drugs (ZaNPUD) had a productive meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Health at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). 🤝🏾🏥

We are pleased to announce that we have entered the planning stage to begin community distribution of lenacapavir within our communities. 💉🌍 Through this initiative, trained peer workers, working alongside healthcare professionals, will support the direct distribution of this important HIV prevention medication to people who need it most.

This marks a significant step towards improving access to health services for people who use drugs and demonstrates the importance of meaningful involvement of our community in healthcare delivery. We are especially encouraged that people who use drugs have been recognized and included as part of key populations, ensuring that no one is left behind. ✊🏾❤️

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Unitaid for making this possible and for their commitment to advancing equitable, community-led healthcare solutions. 🙏🏾🌟

Together, we are bringing lifesaving services closer to the people who need them most.

19/03/2026

💫Today was nothing short of amazing as we concluded a two day training facilitated by the University Teaching Hospital under ministry of health. This was a community and civil society engagement workshop.

We were discussing the new pre-exposure prophylaxis lenacapavir, we discussed how the ministry of health will be working with community members to ensure no one is left behind.

We are delighted to announce that we are now part of the Change advisory board (CAB) member for the Scale - it project. This is well recieved as we are excited to see how we can ensure that members of our community can access it.

We look forward to it being implemented well in communities around Zambia 🇿🇲

08/03/2026

Our Mentor 🙌 Happy International Women’s Day!!

On this International Women’s Day, Africanpud celebrates and honours Judy Chang.

Judy is the former Executive Director of INPUD. For more than fifteen years, she has worked in community health and development, focusing on harm reduction and drug policy, from the grassroots to global advocacy. She has written widely on gender, public health, and the marginalisation of people who use drugs.
Judy helped build and strengthen regional networks, and one achievement we still feel every day is her role in advancing the Robert Carr Fund, which remains the main and core donor for AfricaNPUD and many other regional networks.

Today, as Program Manager at Open Society Foundations with the Advancing Global Drug Policy Reform Opportunity, Judy continues to champion the rights, health, and leadership of people who use drugs. Her recent CAROL AND TRAVIS JENKINS AWARD at the 28th Harm Reduction International Conference, and her work co-creating the Jude Byrne Emerging Female Leader Award with INHSU, show her lasting commitment to lifting up women who use drugs and women in harm reduction everywhere.

Africanpud thanks Judy Chang, and through her, we honour all women who use drugs and all women leading change across the world.

23/01/2026

Every day, we witness the negative effects of punitive drug policies around the world. The war on drugs does more harm than good. We must divest from this unjust drug war and invest in communities, health and justice instead.

Watch our webinar, ‘Keeping Harm Reduction Alive: Strategies amid a global funding collapse‘: https://youtu.be/ZsSEdYEuEoM

24/12/2025

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

As we celebrate this Christmas season, we extend our heartfelt wishes of love, hope, and solidarity to each and every one of you. This time of year reminds us of the importance of compassion, dignity, and standing together as a community.

We honour your strength, resilience, and courage, and we reaffirm our commitment to advocating for the health, human rights, and wellbeing of people who use drugs across Zambia. May this season bring moments of peace, renewed hope, and the assurance that you are not alone.

As we look ahead to the New Year, may we continue to support one another, raise our voices, and work collectively towards a society rooted in care, justice, and respect for all.

Merry Christmas and warm wishes for a hopeful and empowering New Year. 🎄✨