Connecting science and policy for effective, sustainable solutions

MUDr. Pavel Bém is a physician, psychiatrist, and politician with significant experience in public health and addiction studies. Throughout his professional career, he has focused on the prevention and treatment of addictions, which has become his lifelong professional interest. After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University, he worked as a psychiatrist and therapist specializing in addiction treatment. He further developed his expertise in addiction studies, serving as the director of the Drop In Centre for Addiction Prevention and Treatment.

In addition to his medical practice, Pavel Bém became involved in politics and served as the Mayor of Prague (2002–2010). During his tenure, he advocated for the city’s development and strengthened preventive programs and social services. His efforts included addressing public health issues and promoting harm reduction approaches in addiction care. MUDr. Pavel Bém also served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, where he focused on healthcare and social legislation.

He is the author and co-author of numerous professional articles and publications on addiction studies and public health. Thanks to his professional and political activities, he brings a comprehensive perspective to discussions on addiction and public health, integrating medical, social, and political dimensions. His expertise significantly contributes to the development of evidence-based and humane approaches to addressing addiction issues.

Michel Kazatchkine is a distinguished French physician, public health expert, and a prominent figure in public health policy. He is renowned for his long-standing work in prevention, treatment, and public policy related to drugs and infectious diseases. From 2007 to 2012, he served as the Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Under his leadership, the fund significantly expanded access to HIV/AIDS treatment in developing countries and supported the rights of people who use drugs and harm reduction methods.

As the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, he focused on combating the stigma and discrimination that hinder effective HIV prevention and treatment efforts. Kazatchkine is a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, advocating for modern approaches to drug use that focus on regulation and harm reduction instead of punitive measures. Since 2020, he has been a Senior Fellow in the Global Health Program at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.

Kazatchkine is also involved in research and policy initiatives to prevent viral hepatitis and other infectious diseases. He strongly advocates for a public health approach that prioritizes prevention and access to treatment for vulnerable populations, including people who use drugs.

Kitty Chopaka is a renowned advocate for cannabis reform, celebrated for her pioneering work in cannabis education and policy development in Thailand. As the founder of Elevated Estate, she has played a key role in shaping the conversation around cannabis regulation and its potential benefits for public health, economic development, and social equity. Kitty's expertise spans cannabis advocacy, community engagement, and public health, making her a prominent figure in the movement to modernize cannabis laws in Southeast Asia.

She has worked tirelessly to educate policymakers, businesses, and the public on the opportunities and challenges associated with cannabis legalization, emphasizing the importance of science-based approaches and harm reduction principles. Her contributions to cannabis reform have earned her international recognition, and she continues to be a leading voice for responsible and inclusive policies in this rapidly evolving field.

Kitty Chopaka is a trailblazer whose work has had a lasting impact on the development of cannabis policy in Thailand and beyond.

Wim van den Brink (1952), MD PhD, received his medical degree in 1981. After training as a psychiatric epidemiologist in Groningen (1983-1986) and New York (1986-1987), he got his PhD in 1989. Since 1992 he has been a full professor of Addiction Psychiatry at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers. In 2014 he received the lifetime achievement award from the Netherlands Association of Psychiatry and in 2015 he became an honorary member of the Spanish Society for Dual disorders.

In 2017 he received the European Addiction Research Award from the European Federation of Addiction Societies (EUFAS). In 2020 he became Professor Honoris Causa at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. He is a (co)author of more than 600 international peer-reviewed scientific papers (HIWoS=85; HIGoogle Scholar=117). He has been a thesis advisor of more than 75 PhD students. He has been the chair of the Workgroups that developed the Dutch Treatment Guidelines on Alcohol Use Disorders, Opiate Addiction and Drugs other than opioids.

He is one of the founders and president of the International Collaboration of ADHD and Substance Abuse (ICASA). He is a core member of the Psychedelic Department of the Netherlands Association of Psychiatry. His main scientific interests are related to the neurobiology of addiction and the pharmacological treatment of substance use disorders and related comorbidities.

Bohuslav Sobotka is a distinguished Czech politician with a notable career in public service and leadership. He served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2014 to 2017 and led the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) as its Chairman from 2011 to 2017. Throughout his tenure, Sobotka championed significant legislative reforms and initiatives aimed at improving citizens' quality of life and advancing social programs.

His political journey began in the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, where he served from 1996 to 2018. With a strong focus on finance and economic policy, he was appointed Minister of Finance from 2002 to 2006. In this capacity, Sobotka played a pivotal role in implementing impactful fiscal policy reforms. As a former Prime Minister and an experienced statesman, Sobotka brings a wealth of expertise in governance and strategic policymaking to the Honorary Council.

His insights into legislative processes and political strategy are instrumental in promoting evidence-based approaches to critical issues such as harm reduction, regulation of addictive substances and alternatives to prohibition.

David Nutt is a leading British neuropsychopharmacologist specializing in the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior. He is renowned for his pioneering research into psychoactive substances and his advocacy for rational, evidence-based drug policies. Academically, he serves as a professor of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London. He is also the founder and chair of Drug Science, an independent initiative dedicated to providing scientifically grounded information on drugs and their impact on society.

Over his career, he has authored more than 500 scholarly articles and books on topics such as addiction, drugs and mental health. One of his most notable works, Drugs without the Hot Air, aims to dispel myths and misinformation surrounding psychoactive substances and their regulation. David Nutt is recognized for his outspoken and sometimes controversial views on drug policy. He advocates for regulation based on the risk profile of individual substances and the principles of harm reduction. His push for safer alternatives to both legal and illegal drugs has revitalized public debate on drug policy.

His work extends beyond academia. He is a regular key speaker at international conferences and events, and collaborates with institutions such as the European Union and UN agencies, contributing to the development of effective and humane drug policies. Nutt's scientific and advocacy efforts aim to minimize the harms associated with psychoactive substances and promote more sustainable approaches to their regulation.

Dr. Ethan A. Nadelmann, described by the Rolling Stone as "the point man" for drug policy reform efforts and “the real drug czar,” Ethan Nadelmann, JD, PhD is widely regarded as the outstanding proponent of drug policy reform in the United States and abroad. After teaching politics and public affairs at Princeton University (1987-1994), he founded and directed first The Lindesmith Center (1994-2000) and then the Drug Policy Alliance (2000-2017).

He also co-founded the Open Society Institute’s International Harm Reduction Development program. Ethan has published extensively and spoken publicly in roughly forty states and forty countries. His TED Talk has over two million views. Ethan and his colleagues were at the forefront of dozens of successful campaigns to legalize marijuana, reduce the incarceration of drug law offenders, advance harm reduction approaches to drug use and addiction, and otherwise promote alternatives to the war on drugs.

Ethan hosts the leading podcast about all things drugs: PSYCHOACTIVE. And he has become increasingly engaged in the debate over tobacco harm reduction.

MUDr. Petr Smejkal is a renowned Czech epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist with extensive professional and international experience in public health, preventive medicine, and clinical care. Since 2021, he has been working as an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist at the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), where he contributes to addressing infectious disease challenges in the context of modern medicine. He also serves part-time as an internist at Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA, combining his clinical expertise with international experience.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MUDr. Smejkal emerged as one of the key expert voices in the Czech Republic. He actively contributed to managing the pandemic crisis as a member of several advisory bodies, providing guidance and helping the public navigate the complex situation. His communication with the general public, focused on science-based information and transparency, earned him respect from both the professional community and the wider public. His career is marked by a range of international experiences that have shaped his comprehensive approach to medicine.

He combines deep professional expertise with a strong emphasis on education, prevention, and public health. His work is rooted in the integration of scientific research, clinical practice, and effective communication, making him a distinguished figure in Czech healthcare.

Aleksander Kwaśniewski is a Polish politician who served as the President of the Republic of Poland from 1995 to 2005. His political career is marked by significant reforms and Poland's transformation during its accession to the European Union and NATO. During his tenure, he advocated policies focused on Poland's integration into Western structures and the promotion of democratic values.

Kwaśniewski is also recognized for his activities on the international stage, where he engages with issues of European integration, human rights, and sustainable development. After completing his presidential term, he has worked as a consultant and lecturer at prestigious universities, sharing his expertise on the transformation of post-communist countries.

His membership in the Honorary Council of the Think Tank for Rational Addiction Policies reflects his commitment to finding rational and sustainable solutions to societal issues, including addiction and the prevention of its negative impacts on individuals and society.

Václav Dejčmar is a Czech entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He is a co-owner of RSJ, a major player in global financial markets, and a co-owner of the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague. Dejčmar is well-known for his support of science and culture. He is a patron of the Neuron Endowment Fund for the Support of Science, focusing on funding scientific expeditions and projects with the potential to significantly advance contemporary knowledge.

In the field of film, he has worked as a producer on projects such as I am Fishead and Bufo Alvarius – The Underground Secret, which explore topics like psychopathy in business and politics or the effects of psychedelics. Václav Dejčmar is also active in supporting innovative projects and ideas, frequently investing in disruptive technologies and startups. His philanthropic activities include extensive support for cultural initiatives and engagement with the Anti-Corruption Endowment Fund.

His wide range of activities and interest in bridging business, science, and art make him a prominent figure on the Czech entrepreneurial and cultural scene.

Pavel Kubů, MD, is an expert in medical informatics and addictology, focusing on research and the development of new therapeutic and preventive methods that use tools for personalized care and improve healthcare accessibility in an ageing population. At the Institute for Rational Drug Policies, he leads the Institute’s strategic development, initiates cross-sector partnerships, and promotes evidence-based policies on addiction and substance use.

He is the elected Chairman of the Board at the Patient Association for Cannabis Treatment (KOPAC) and chairs both the Board of the Czech National Forum for eHealth and the Ethics Committee of the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. He is also an elected member of the Committee of the Czech Society of Medical Informatics and Scientific Information of the J. E. Purkyně Czech Medical Society.

Additionally, he serves on the Commercialization Board of the National Institute of Mental Health and the Steering Committee of the Czech Cannabis Cluster, and he is a member of the EU Early Warning System for new psychoactive substances.

Ing. Jana Michailidu, Ph.D. is a Czech scientist, university lecturer, and expert in drug policy. She earned her degree in biotechnology from the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, where she also completed her doctoral studies. Her academic work focuses on applied nanotechnology and the regulation of psychoactive substances, particularly in terms of their health impacts and legal frameworks. She has long served as an assistant professor at UCT Prague, where she is involved in both teaching and research at the intersection of life sciences and public policy.

Beyond academia, she has extensive experience in inter-ministerial collaboration – she has served as an advisor on addictive behavior at the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic and as a member of the Government Council for Drug Policy Coordination. From 2020, she led an interdepartmental expert team focused on addictive behavior, contributing to policy proposals such as the introduction of supervised consumption sites and other harm reduction measures. In Institute for the Rational Drug Policies, she contributes to the development of expert opinions, impact assessments, and proposals for the rational regulation of cannabis, kratom, psychedelics, and other substances.

Her work supports the creation of evidence-based policies that bridge public health, science, and legislation. She has co-authored key policy documents, including contributions to the National Drug Policy Strategy, market analyses for cannabis, and position papers on the regulation of kratom.