The four-day professional development course is a timely follow up from the landmark April 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs – an event which showed intense but frustrated pressure for reform and profound division over future direction. International drug policy is at a crucial turning point, with opportunities and also risks posed by fragmentation and dissent. The course will reflect on the pre- and post-UNGASS period, identifiy lessons learned and consider next steps at national, regional and global level. Health, crime, human rights, development and new challenges were identified by the UNGASS as key thematic areas and these will continue to frame priorities, debate and advocacy going forward. Each area will be considered in dedicated sessions that will unpack and assess evidence, best practice strategies for reform, as well as spoilers and obstacles to change.