Code of Ethics

The ISSUP Code of Ethics outlines the ethical and professional standards of conduct expected of all ISSUP members. It provides guidance on the values, behaviours, and responsibilities that support professionalism, integrity, and science-based practice across the ISSUP network. Members are expected to uphold these principles as a condition of membership. The Code will be reviewed periodically and updated as required.

Introduction

ISSUP’s Values and Code of Ethics provide guidance to members in all aspects of their professional conduct. By becoming and remaining an ISSUP member, individuals demonstrate their commitment to upholding the values and principles that support ethical, professional, and science-based practice.

ISSUP encourages all members and affiliated individuals to adhere to this Code. Where conduct is considered inconsistent with ISSUP’s Values and Code of Ethics, ISSUP may engage with the member to address the matter and, where appropriate, take further action, including suspension or termination of membership.

ISSUP membership does not constitute certification, accreditation, licensure, or endorsement of an individual’s professional practice. Membership is open to all who share ISSUP’s mission and values, and ISSUP does not assess the professional competence of individual members. Members are encouraged to comply with all applicable national laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and professional standards within their respective jurisdictions.

ISSUP recognises the importance of conducting research, policy, prevention, treatment, recovery , justice, and related activities within a shared framework of ethical principles. This Code is intended to support professionals across disciplines and sectors in promoting ethical conduct, professional integrity, and positive outcomes for individuals and communities.

Values and Principles

Values are the fundamental beliefs and ideals that guide ISSUP’s mission, culture, and approach to its work. They reflect what ISSUP considers important and worth promoting, such as integrity, respect, professionalism, collaboration, inclusivity, and a commitment to science-based practice.

Principles are the practical standards and expectations that flow from those values. They provide guidance on how members should apply ISSUP’s values in their professional conduct, decision-making, and interactions with others.

ISSUP Member Values

Respect
Public Safety
Competency
Continued Development
Transparency
Self-care
Unity

ISSUP Ethical Principles

Principle 1 – Compliance with Ethical, and Professional Standards

ISSUP members are dedicated to upholding applicable ethical principles and recognised professional standards in all aspects of their work.

Principle 2 - Commitment to High-Quality Evidence

ISSUP members prioritise the use of data-supported, research-backed, and up-to-date knowledge, including findings from recent studies, established literature, and operational data, in their decision-making, research, and practice. They recognise the importance of basing their actions, recommendations, and interventions on clearly identified and verifiable sources of evidence.

Principle 3 – Safety, Risk Reduction, and Community Well-Being

ISSUP members are committed to promoting the safety, well-being, and resilience of individuals and communities. They recognise and address risks associated with substance use, as well as those arising from policies, practices, or systems that are not grounded in effective standards. Members support evidence-informed approaches that strengthen health, recovery, public safety, and community well-being while reducing adverse consequences associated with substance use.

Principle 4 - Fairness

ISSUP members are committed to treating all individuals, including service users, colleagues and other stakeholders, with fairness and respect, ensuring that practices are broad-reaching, non-discriminatory, and support equitable access to services and justice.

Principle 5 - Trustworthiness

ISSUP members prioritise building and maintaining trust. This involves demonstrating honesty, integrity, and reliability in all professional activities; being transparent about qualifications, expertise, and limitations; and adhering to professional ethics and standards.

Principle 6 - Professional Responsibilities and Workplace Standards

ISSUP members recognise their professional responsibilities and are committed to maintaining workplace standards that promote ethical conduct, accountability, professionalism, and quality practice. They adhere to relevant organisational policies, procedures, professional guidelines, and applicable requirements. Members avoid actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest and refrain from dual relationships that may compromise professional judgement, professional boundaries, or the welfare of clients and service users.

Principle 7 - Legal Requirements

ISSUP members comply with applicable laws and regulations, ensuring that their practices and interventions meet legal standards and obligations in their country of practice.

Principle 8 - Confidentiality

ISSUP members safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of those they are working with by maintaining strict confidentiality policies and procedures. They respect people’s rights to confidentiality, seeking informed consent for disclosure of information and sharing data only when legally and ethically permissible.

Principle 9 - Data Protection

ISSUP members take necessary measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and security of individuals’ data and information, ensuring compliance with relevant data protection regulations and guidelines and observing best practices where regulation is not in place. This includes the ethical use of digital platforms, data systems, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, ensuring responsible, secure, and transparent handling of data and outputs.

Principle 10 - Respect

ISSUP members demonstrate respect by ensuring that interventions, policies, and practices are contextually relevant, sensitive to local needs, and informed by social, cultural, and structural factors.

Principle 11 - Stakeholders

ISSUP members work collaboratively with clients, communities, partners, and other professionals in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, programmes, and interventions. This includes coordinated engagement across health, social service, public safety, and supply reduction sectors, including law enforcement, justice, and regulatory agencies.

Principle 12 - Professional Competence

ISSUP members commit to maintaining and enhancing their professional competence through ongoing education, training, and development. They stay updated with the latest research, science-based practices, standards/ guidelines and ethical considerations and advancements in their field; continuously improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide effective and quality work.

This includes strengthening capabilities, expanding expertise, and improving practical skills relevant to both demand and supply reduction contexts.

Principle 13 - Informed Consent

ISSUP members respect the rights, dignity, autonomy, and confidentiality of the individuals and communities they serve. Where applicable, they obtain informed consent before conducting assessments, interventions, or research activities and provide clear, understandable information to support informed decision-making. In justice, law enforcement, regulatory, or other statutory contexts, members ensure that individuals are treated fairly, are informed of the nature and purpose of interactions where appropriate, and that activities are conducted in accordance with applicable legal, ethical, and professional standards.

Disclaimer

1. Scope of Application

This Code of Ethics applies to all ISSUP Members, National Chapters (NCs), speakers, and individuals in the context of the professional practice and in the course of their participation on the ISSUP platform and in ISSUP activities. It is intended to guide professional conduct both within members' professional practice and across all areas of engagement with ISSUP, including knowledge sharing, webinars, podcasts, and representation in professional contexts.

2. Use and Monitoring

The ISSUP Code of Ethics serves as a guiding framework for professional and ethical conduct. ISSUP does not actively monitor or regulate the day-to-day professional behaviour of its members, NCs, or affiliated individuals. Responsibility for ethical practice remains with the individual and, where applicable, their employing organisation and relevant national or professional regulatory bodies.

3. Representation

Individuals who declare themselves as affiliated with or representing ISSUP do not automatically act as official representatives unless formally authorised. ISSUP is not responsible for statements, actions, or representations made by individuals who are not officially designated to act on its behalf. Official representation of ISSUP is limited to individuals explicitly appointed or authorised by ISSUP.

For more information, please visit ISSUP Staff page and our National Chapters page.

4. Intellectual Property and Use of Materials

ISSUP Members and participants are expected to respect intellectual property rights and applicable copyright standards when using, sharing, or reproducing ISSUP materials or other professional resources.

5. Non-Compliance and Actions

ISSUP expects all Members and affiliated individuals to uphold the principles set out in this Code of Ethics. In cases where conduct is found to be inconsistent with these principles, ISSUP reserves the right to take appropriate action, which may include:

Providing guidance or clarification
Issuing formal warnings
Limiting participation in ISSUP activities
Suspension or removal of ISSUP membership

Such actions would be taken at ISSUP’s discretion and in line with organisational policies.