Liesbeth Vandam is the Head of the Support to Policy Sector at the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. She has (co)authored and coordinated several publications on drug-related crime, drug policy (evaluation), drug use among prisoners, drugs and driving, wastewater-based drug epidemiology, cannabis policies, and the medical use of cannabis. She holds a PhD in Criminology, with a focus on drug use among released prisoners. From 2006 to 2010, she worked as a researcher at the Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy in Belgium. In 2011, she joined the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) as a scientific analyst, coordinating scientific work programmes. Since 2017, Vandam has served as the Head of the Support to Policy sector within the EMCDDA’s Public Health Unit (nowadays EUDA).

Ladislav Csémy is the Head of the Center for Addiction Epidemiology and Clinical Research at the National Institute of Mental Health and the President of the Harm Reduction Academy. His work focuses on the epidemiology and clinical research of licit drugs, including tobacco and alcohol. Dr. Csémy is dedicated to understanding the patterns and impacts of substance use and developing strategies to reduce associated harms. His leadership in both research and harm reduction initiatives plays a crucial role in improving public health policies and practices related to licit drug use.

Jindřich Vobořil is the Director of the Institute for Rational Addiction Policies and serves as an advisor to the Czech Prime Minister. He is also the former Czech National Drug Coordinator. His work focuses on addictions and policy recommendations, aiming to develop and implement effective strategies for addiction prevention and treatment. Vobořil has extensive experience in creating comprehensive drug policies and advocating for evidence-based approaches to address substance use issues. His expertise and dedication have significantly contributed to shaping national and international drug policies, promoting healthier communities, and supporting individuals affected by addiction.

Gabriele Fischer is the Medical Director of the Addiction Clinic and Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the Medical University of Vienna. Her primary focus is on mental health and addiction. She has led numerous research projects on the neurobiological foundations of addiction and has significantly contributed to treatment strategies for addiction disorders. Prof. Dr. Fischer is actively involved in medical education, delivering lectures and seminars, and has authored numerous scientific publications. She completed her medical studies and residency in psychiatry and neurology at the Medical University of Vienna.

Aileen O'Gorman has over 25 years’ experience in drugs research, education and advocacy in the UK, Ireland, and internationally. Her research focuses on the intersection of social inequalities and mental ill health with drug-related harms, and the impact of drug and social policies on communities of place, and she has published widely in this area. Her work is conducted collaboratively with people who use drugs, civil society organisations, policy makers, practitioners and service providers, and researchers across disciplines to deliver holistic and inclusive research for social change. Current research focuses on drug-related deaths – developing a social autopsy methodology and a social determinants framework to assess the social, structural, and systemic factors contributing to deaths. She leads an EU network on the Social and Structural Determinants of Drug-Related Deaths, is a board member of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP) and the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF), and lectures on the Contemporary Drug and Alcohol Studies (CDAS) programme at UWS.

Viktor Mravčík is the Head of Science at the Institute for Rational Addiction Policies and an alternate member of the Management Board of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). His expertise spans harm reduction, as well as the study of both licit and illicit drugs. Dr. Mravčík's work focuses on developing and implementing strategies to minimize the negative impacts of drug use through evidence-based approaches. He has been instrumental in shaping policies and practices that address the complexities of addiction and improve public health outcomes. His contributions are vital in advancing the field of addiction science and promoting rational, effective drug policies.

Ladislav Kážmér is a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health. His work focuses on the study of legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as gambling. Dr. Kážmér is dedicated to understanding the patterns and impacts of these behaviors and developing effective strategies to mitigate their negative effects. His research contributes to the creation of evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at reducing harm and improving public health outcomes related to legal substance use and gambling.

Sabína Lužica Brédová is a Project Manager at PRIMA, focusing on psychoactive substance use and harm reduction. Her work emphasizes the destigmatization of substance use and the implementation of strategies to reduce associated harms. Brédová is dedicated to improving public health outcomes by promoting understanding and supportive policies for individuals affected by substance use. Her efforts in project management and advocacy are vital in advancing harm reduction initiatives and reducing stigma surrounding psychoactive substance use.

Bernhard Rupp is the Head of the Health Policy Department at the Chamber of Workers and Employees for Lower Austria. His expertise includes the study and regulation of licit drugs such as tobacco and alcohol. Rupp has been instrumental in developing policies aimed at reducing the public health impact of these substances. His work involves collaborating with various stakeholders to promote healthier lifestyles and improve public health outcomes. He holds a prominent position within the organization and actively participates in public health discussions and initiatives at both regional and national levels.

Krzysztof Landa is physician, entrepreneur and civil servant. Active as an entrepreneur, he founded and managed businesses in the field of health and pharmaceuticals. He then entered the Polish Ministry of Health as Deputy Minister of Health, where his responsibility included drug policy, mapping of health needs, and the reimbursement and price of medical devices and health procedures. Moreover, he is the President of the Ukrainian Society of Evidence Based Health Care and the Founder of Watch Health Care Foundation.

Dominika Jašeková graduated in psychology from Comenius University in Bratislava. During her studies, she began working as a field worker with the Civic Association Odysseus. She has also gained experience working with families of children with ADHD and individuals with cognitive disabilities. Additionally, she has international experience in Italy, where she worked at the community level with people with cognitive and mental health disorders. However, issues related to drug use remained at the core of her interests, and it was through her work with Odysseus that she decided to return to Slovakia. In 2018, she was elected president of the association. Since then, she has also represented the Central European region in the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association.

Fabian Steinmetz is a toxicologist affiliated with the European Kratom Alliance and serves as an expert on novel psychoactive substances for the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). His work focuses on the scientific understanding and smart regulation of psychoactive substances. Dr. Steinmetz is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge in this area and developing regulatory frameworks that ensure public safety while considering the complexities of psychoactive substance use. His contributions are crucial in shaping policies and practices that address the challenges posed by these substances, promoting a balanced and informed approach to their management.

Kamila Zvolská graduated in General Medicine and Doctoral Program in Preventive Medicine at the 1st Medical Faculty of Charles University (dissertation “Cardiovascular Diseases and Smoking - Treatment of Tobacco Dependence and Cardiovascular Risk”). Since 2005 she has been working at the III. Internal Clinic of the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague as a secondary physician and in the Centre for Tobacco Addicts at III. Internal Clinic of the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and the University Hospital. She is a member of the Committee of the Society for the Treatment of Tobacco Dependence, a member of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Comprehensive Protection against Harm caused by Tobacco, an advisory body to the Minister of Health and the Government Council for Drug Policy Coordination.

Ernest Groman is a professor at the Medical Faculty of the University of Vienna. His research and expertise focus on licit drugs, specifically tobacco and alcohol. Prof. Dr. Groman has contributed significantly to understanding the health impacts of these substances and developing effective public health strategies to mitigate their risks. His work involves extensive research, teaching, and collaboration with various health organizations to promote better health policies and practices. Prof. Dr. Groman's dedication to public health and his extensive knowledge in the field make him a leading figure in the study and management of licit drugs.

Jana Michailidu is an Assistant Professor at University of Chemistry and Technology Prague and serves as an Advisor to the Ministry of Justice on Addiction Policy. With a focus on public health and policy, her expertise lies in the regulation of psychoactive substances, harm reduction strategies, and the development of comprehensive drug policies. She has been involved in legislative efforts, particularly in relation to psychomodulatory substances, decriminalization of cannabis, working towards innovative frameworks that balance regulation with public health considerations.

Mikuláš Peksa is a member of the Czech Pirate Party and a former Member of the European Parliament. His work focuses on mental health and social media addiction. Peksa has been actively involved in addressing the impact of social media on mental health and advocating for policies to mitigate its negative effects. His efforts aim to raise awareness and promote healthier interactions with social media platforms. Through his political and advocacy work, Peksa contributes to the development of strategies and policies that support mental well-being in the digital age.

Judy Chang is the Executive Director of the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD), a role she has held since 2017. With over fifteen years of experience in international development, her career has centered on HIV, community health, and development, including roles in India, China, and Thailand. Judy is a global advocate for decriminalization, harm reduction, and community-led initiatives, bringing over 20 years of lived experience to her work. Judy holds a Master’s degree in international development and a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Contemporary Cultures. She has published extensively on topics including harm reduction, human rights, and feminist approaches within drug policy reform.

Michael Fanta is the Chief Analyst at the Center for Economic and Market Analysis. His expertise lies in the difficulty of distinguishing the harmfulness of nicotine products based on packaging, as well as the analysis of alcohol-related issues. Fanta's work focuses on evaluating the economic and market impacts of nicotine and alcohol products, providing insights into how packaging and marketing influence public perception and consumption. His analytical skills contribute to developing strategies and policies that aim to better inform consumers and mitigate the risks associated with these substances.

Tomáš Sadílek has an extensive experience working for the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic in the field of legal and illegal drugs. He represented the Czech Republic in drug-related meetings in the United Nations institutions in Vienna and New York and in meetings in the EU area, Eastern Partnership countries area, and the US.

Helena Gherasim is a member of the Czech Government Council for Drug Policy Coordination a psychologist and a psychotherapist. She is currently a Head of the Association of Providers of Addiction Services (APAS), an association of NGOs providing services for persons threatened by addictive behaviours, an umbrella organisation bringing together 35 organisations in the Czech Republic.

Jakub Popík is a human rights officer, PhD student at the Institute of Sociology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, drug policy advisor and director of the Harm Reduction Institute. In his work, he seeks to improve communication and cooperation between entities tasked with the protection of human rights, whether from the media, non-profit, state, or private sector, in order to eliminate all forms of prejudice from society.