35 Nations Unite for Historic Addiction Recovery Summit

Thirty-five countries are coming together this October for an international summit dedicated to helping people recover from addiction and preventing substance abuse among young people.

Italy and France, co-founders of the European Coalition Against Drugs, announced they'll host the meeting on October 23, 2026, at San Patrignano, a recovery community near Rimini, Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Emmanuel Macron have already sent invitations to 47 delegations, including heads of state and European leaders.

The summit aims to share what actually works in prevention, treatment, and helping people rebuild their lives after addiction. Ministers and officials will focus especially on protecting young people, with recent data showing one in four Italian teens aged 15 to 19 has tried drugs at least once in the past year.

The location itself tells a hopeful story. San Patrignano has welcomed young people struggling with addiction since 1978, offering free recovery programs that combine community living with job training. The approach is non-pharmacological and tailored to each person's needs.

The numbers speak to real lives changed. More than 26,000 people have gone through San Patrignano's doors over the decades. University studies from Bologna, Urbino, and Pavia found that over 72% of people who complete the program achieve full recovery.

Young people at San Patrignano can train in over 50 different activities across 20 sectors, learning skills while healing. Around 1,000 people currently live at the facility, building futures they thought they'd lost.

The Ripple Effect

This summit represents a shift in how Europe tackles addiction. Instead of focusing solely on punishment and enforcement, the coalition is emphasizing recovery and reintegration. The 35 member countries will draft a final document outlining shared commitments for the coming years.

Italy's President Sergio Mattarella visited San Patrignano in June, calling the work "a resource that enriches our country." He praised the volunteers and staff who sometimes risk their own safety to help people complete their recovery journeys.

Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, who's coordinating the summit, highlighted the dedication of people working in therapeutic communities and public services every day. These tireless efforts ensure that anyone who falls into addiction can find an appropriate path to recovery.

The coalition emerged from last year's European Political Community summit and has grown rapidly, showing genuine appetite for solutions that work. By bringing together dozens of nations to learn from proven models like San Patrignano, the summit could reshape addiction treatment across Europe and beyond.