Registration opens for European Drugs Winter and Summer Schools 2026

The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon are delighted to announce the opening of registration today for two upcoming joint events in 2026: the European Drugs Winter School (EDWS) and the European Drugs Summer School (EDSS). These flagship training events bring together students, professionals and researchers from across the globe to deepen their understanding of Europe's evolving drug phenomenon.

EDWS: 02-13 March 2026 (online) - The special focus of this online course will be 'The role of social media in the drugs field', looking at how social media influence drug markets, use trends and response strategies. Over two weeks, participants will attend live lunchtime lectures from leading experts and take part in interactive exercises and virtual fieldwork tours. Those wishing to obtain academic credits are required to complete exercises and sit an exam. The sessions will be recorded and available to the students for subsequent viewing.

EDSS: 22 June-03 July 2025 (Lisbon) - Held in Lisbon, this face-to-face two-week course places special focus on 'A whole-of-society approach to drugs', examining how communities, professionals, policymakers and people who use substances and their families can move from awareness to effective action. Study visits will take participants to one of Portugal's commissions for dissuasion, as well as to mobile methadone units and a drug consumption room. During the course, students will participate in daily in-person lectures as well as group exercises and interactive workshops to discuss their own projects and views. The course will conclude with an open debate with guest speakers. Participants seeking credits will sit a final exam.

Who should apply?

The target audiences for the two events are: professionals, administrators, researchers and university students interested in working on, or deepening their understanding of, drug issues. Past editions have welcomed participants from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

Why join?

Both schools are designed to prepare participants for the complex policy challenges in the drugs field today. Drawing on the expertise of EUDA staff, university professors and policymakers, they offer a multi-disciplinary and inclusive perspective on the study of the drugs problem in Europe and beyond.

Both events will be conducted in English.

Contacts

Marica Ferri, PhD, Head of sector, Health and social responses, Substance use, harms and responses unit, EUDA. EDWS and EDSS scientific programme. [email protected]

Isabel Flores, Executive Director, IPPS-Iscte.

Organisation and administrative support:

EDWS: [email protected]

EDSS: [email protected]