2024 Thematic Discussions on the Implementation of All Worldwide Drug Coverage Commitments, Following-up to the 2019 Ministerial Declaration
Chair: Welcome again.
Ms. Asma Fakhri, UNODC, on behalf of Mr. Justice TETTEY, Chief, Medication, Laboratory and Scientific Companies Department, UNODC (Moderator): Thanks all for gathering to handle the rising challenges posed by artificial opioids and the non-medical use of prescribed drugs—points which have grow to be complicated and widespread threats to international well being and safety. Artificial opioids, significantly fentanyl, are central to the overdose disaster. In accordance with the World Drug Report, fentanyl alone is linked to almost 7% of all drug-related deaths in North America in 2024, underscoring its devastating efficiency. Nevertheless, fentanyl is only one a part of the difficulty. The speedy evolution of artificial medication in illicit markets, initially concentrated in North America, is now spreading to Europe and components of Asia. Including to those challenges, the 2023 UNODC Afghan Opium Survey reported a 95% lower in opium cultivation, which is predicted to cut back the provision of opium and heroin. This shortage could drive people and traffickers towards artificial opioids, doubtless rising overdose charges. In the meantime, non-medical use of pharmaceutical medication—together with opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants—continues to rise in areas with restricted regulatory oversight. Individuals typically misuse prescribed drugs for self-medication or to amplify different substances. Youth are particularly susceptible, and ladies now symbolize almost 43% of non-medical pharmaceutical opioid customers, but they’re typically underserved. The UNODC Artificial Drug Technique (2021–2025) gives a framework for addressing artificial medication via 4 key actions: fostering multilateralism, enhancing early warning programs to anticipate crises, selling science-informed well being responses, and strengthening counter-narcotics capacities to disrupt trafficking. The Early Warning Advisory on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) helps real-time data sharing, enabling international locations to detect developments and reply shortly—a vital instrument within the risky artificial drug market. Though 142 international locations contribute to this information, gaps reveal the necessity for higher collaboration to maximise the system’s potential. Strengthening nationwide drug-testing labs to generate high quality scientific information is crucial for creating tailor-made responses that take into account regional drug patterns and social dynamics. Advances in synthetic intelligence provide new instruments for information evaluation and pattern prediction, additional enhancing the system. Nevertheless, innovation alone can’t clear up these challenges. Regardless of rising overdose charges and the unfold of artificial medication, therapy entry stays insufficient: globally, just one in 11 individuals with drug use problems receives therapy, and amongst marginalized teams, just one in 18 girls obtain the care they want. The CHAMPS initiative gives an important prevention framework targeted on youngsters’s social and emotional growth to cut back future drug use dangers. It’s also essential to make sure the provision of managed substances for medical and scientific use, whereas stopping their diversion. Over 80% of the worldwide inhabitants lives in international locations with out ample entry to important medicines, and addressing this concern is significant. Guaranteeing entry prevents illicit markets from being fueled by people missing mandatory medicines and care inside the well being system. Overdose prevention initiatives, like the provision of naloxone, are additionally important. UNODC’s SOS initiative goals to shut gaps in healthcare and overdose prevention providers to cut back probably the most extreme impacts. To additional help the Artificial Drug Technique, the UN Toolkit on Artificial Medication gives over 500 assets from throughout the UN system, together with WHO. With greater than 200 customers worldwide, the toolkit is organized into 15 modules accessible in all six UN official languages. Addressing artificial opioids and the non-medical use of prescribed drugs requires sturdy worldwide cooperation. Substances like fentanyl and midazolam pose international dangers, as felony networks exploit regulatory gaps throughout areas. This underlines the necessity for member states to handle these challenges collectively. To help these efforts, UNODC is launching new initiatives: the Worldwide Community of Legislators on Medication (INLODs), which fosters collaboration amongst parliamentarians to bridge legislative experience gaps, and the JUST (Justices United In opposition to Artificial Trafficking) initiative, which can present judges and prosecutors in at-risk international locations with the assets wanted to deal with artificial opioid trafficking instances successfully. Our response to artificial medication, together with opioid misuse, should be multifaceted. It requires stronger early warning programs, enhanced worldwide cooperation, efficient laws, counter-narcotics efforts, and ample entry to therapy and managed substances for medical and scientific use. Success depends on cross-sector collaboration and insurance policies rooted in science and human rights. Let’s forge stronger partnerships and leverage our assets to construct resilient communities, defend public well being, and create a safer, extra simply world. Collectively, we will meet these challenges and make an actual influence. Thanks.
UNODC: I’ll start with the primary query to our delegate from China, Ms. Wu Fangting, Director of the Precursor and NPS Management Division within the Workplace of the Nationwide Narcotics Management Fee, who’s becoming a member of us on-line. Thanks, Ms. Fangting, for being with us at the moment. The primary query for you is: How can cross-border cooperation between governments and the non-public sector assist mitigate the unlawful distribution of precursor chemical substances and artificial opioids?
China (panel): Ms. Wu Tingfang, Director, Precursor and NPS Management Division, Workplace of Nationwide Narcotics Management Fee: So far as we will inform, the artificial opioids being misused primarily embody sure odor medication and psychoactive substances. China has carried out complete controls on the manufacturing, administration, use, import, and export of artificial opioids and new psychoactive substances which have been scheduled. For substances within the artificial class that aren’t scheduled, we’ve issued warning notices. We additionally require enterprises to offer transparency of their investments and gross sales, and if we discover corporations placing associated data on-line, we contact them straight, concern a public discover, and ask them to signal duty agreements to work with us. In numerous situations, they’ll collaborate with us. We additionally strengthen monitoring measures in China, significantly via superior detection instruments, to determine and management suspicious substances. When such a substance is recognized, a direct investigation can comply with to curb illicit actions. For artificial opioids, we strictly supervise certified enterprises in accordance with our laws. We additionally examine any detected violations, monitoring these instances completely. Thanks.
UNODC: Thanks, Ms. Fangting. I consider we’ve time for one or two questions from the ground earlier than we transfer on to the subsequent knowledgeable. Thanks for highlighting the significance of personal sector cooperation in fostering cross-border efforts. Are there any questions from the ground, both on-line or within the room?
Chair: I’d wish to ask a query relating to customs officers in creating international locations who might not be outfitted to determine new substances. Is there any greatest apply for cooperation amongst officers throughout borders to enhance identification of those substances?
China (panel): Ms. Wu Tingfang, Director, Precursor and NPS Management Division, Workplace of Nationwide Narcotics Management Fee: It relies upon. Initially, we have to enhance the competence of border officers, in addition to the technical help they obtain. This might embody offering mandatory gear, resembling testing kits and analytical instruments. Info sharing can also be essential—if there’s data on suspicious shipments, collaboration between border officers from completely different international locations will be extremely efficient. Thanks.
VNGOC: How do you monitor or perceive the mechanism of diversion that’s for non medical consumption of prescription narcotics, like, the place is the therapy from opiate use dysfunction or from most cancers sufferers? Thanks.
China (panel): Ms. Wu Tingfang, Director, Precursor and NPS Management Division, Workplace of Nationwide Narcotics Management Fee: Sure, that’s a really complicated query, truly, as a result of, you already know, we do investigations in accordance completely different channels, on completely different angles. We do that investigation typically from surveillance, if we’ve found any clues by ourselves, and typically from public depots, and typically once we float some suspicious exercise, then we could uncover a coup. And likewise, in addition to of these energetic substances these issues are all banned and we strictly management them. And likewise, we simply scheduled 46 substances at one time, this July. After which for another vital use of medicine, once we found there have been some unusual gross sales in drugstore (…) isn’t rational as a result of not used in response to the medical we should have an information of these prescribed drugs. Did I reply your query? Thanks.
Moderator: And I’ll simply additionally level that in a while, on the panel, we do have an knowledgeable from who becoming a member of us that will even be speaking a bit bit extra about prescription practices monitoring and people form of regulatory programs, which can additionally add to this query. Thanks very a lot. With that, I’ll truly transfer to our second intervention, our second knowledgeable, from Algeria. The query to you, Mr. Belkacem, is whether or not you possibly can inform us about mechanisms to enhance cooperation between healthcare suppliers, the felony justice sector, regulation enforcement and social providers to higher perceive the complicated challenges of opioid misuse, whereas guaranteeing affected person entry?
Algeria (panel) Mr. Ahmed Belkacem, Justice of the Peace, Ministry of Justice: At the moment, we face new drug-related threats, significantly in rising markets for Captagon, prevalent in North America, Europe, Asia, and in addition in West and East Africa, the Center East, and the Gulf area. The variety of deaths because of the misuse of pharmaceutical artificial opioids continues to rise. Moreover, we’re witnessing medicines being diverted from their supposed medical use and misused for dependancy, together with analgesics, sedatives, stimulants, and painkillers. There’s additionally a rising concern with counterfeit medication that don’t meet pharmaceutical requirements. This example is partly because of the ban on sure substances, which has led individuals with drug use problems to show to much more harmful substances. The non-medical use of prescribed drugs is changing into a major public well being concern, with an rising threat of overdose amongst sure teams such because the aged, youngsters, girls, and healthcare professionals. Nevertheless, it’s troublesome to evaluate the prevalence of non-medical prescription drug use as a consequence of restricted information, and these medicines are sometimes obtained outdoors authorized channels. In Nigeria, this concern is critical, as regulation enforcement businesses report substantial portions of diverted prescribed drugs. In 2023 alone, in response to the Nationwide Workplace for Prevention and Management, a record-breaking seizure of roughly 27 million models of psychotropic substances was recorded, all trafficked illegally throughout our borders. To fight this alarming state of affairs, and in accordance with Article 23 of the 1971 UN Conference, which permits stricter measures for public well being safety, Nigeria has launched home laws classifying psychotropic substances. This consists of pre-emptive measures to curb the proliferation of unregulated substances. At each the nationwide and regional ranges, we’d like collaborative efforts to handle this concern. Elevated violence associated to drug trafficking underscores the significance of creating regional and sub-regional networks with early warning programs, best-practice exchanges, and enhanced scientific capacities. On this regard, we respect the U.S. initiative to construct financial cooperation to handle this concern. Prevention efforts, particularly focused at younger individuals, are essential. Social media can play a key function in consciousness and outreach. Enhancing healthcare capacities for dependancy therapy can also be important. In Nigeria, we’re advancing therapy and rehabilitation efforts, encouraging people to begin cleansing with out worry of felony prosecution. This ensures that nobody is left behind. In conclusion, given the complexity and scale of this drawback, we’d like a holistic, balanced strategy that emphasizes shared duty and proportionality.
Moderator: Nice. Now I’ll open the ground for any questions. It looks as if we don’t have any questions. Thanks very a lot for a really clear and useful presentation. And we’ll transfer on to the subsequent query, which is to the Brazilian delegation. And we’ve Mr. Jamie Oliveira, who’s a well being lawyer, marketing consultant for the Nationwide Secretary on drug coverage and asset administration: how can information associated to detrimental well being penalties, detrimental well being outcomes, morbidity and mortality associated to completely different medication, be extra successfully collected and shared in how far would higher information assist tackle the rising misuse of pharmaceutical and artificial opioids?
(technical difficulties)
Moderator: Looks as if you might be frozen. In the interim, we’re transferring on to our panelist from Canada. The query to you is: how will you higher coordinate worldwide efforts to reply shortly and successfully to rising artificial drug disaster?
Canada (panel) Ms. Yemi Agboola, Director of the Workplace of Drug Analysis and Surveillance, Well being Canada: The drug drawback is a world problem; no nation can tackle it in isolation. Nations should work collectively to fight the rising provide of artificial medication. Whereas strengthening nationwide information assortment to detect rising medication is crucial, worldwide cooperation is equally important for sharing well timed data and addressing the diversification of the worldwide drug market. We are able to draw on classes from the COVID-19 pandemic to interrupt down obstacles and foster collaboration in responding swiftly and equitably to the drug disaster. The primary precedence is establishing a powerful international community of scientists, significantly forensic specialists, information specialists, and laboratory personnel, to help the speedy manufacturing and alternate of high-quality information. Key features of this community would come with constructing forensic laboratory capability worldwide, connecting forensic personnel to share technical data, and offering coaching on new applied sciences developed for substance detection. This community may additionally enhance entry to cutting-edge expertise in laboratory and information science, boosting the power to detect new substances. One other goal could be to share tailored analytical methods that go well with particular regional contexts. For instance, Canada participates in a number of networks, such because the UNODC’s Worldwide Collaborative Train Program, to alternate data with international friends, enhancing our tailor-made data merchandise. An additional perform of the community may contain offering entry to reference requirements and library information to allow speedy substance identification. Quicker data sharing would even be achieved via the automation of knowledge processes and leveraging present international information alternate platforms. Some key platforms embody the UNODC Information Monitoring Platform, the Early Warning Advisory Platform, and the INCB PICS on-line platform. Moreover, a centralized stock of Nationwide Early Warning Methods and databases would enhance collaboration. Well being Canada not too long ago launched the Canadian Drug and Substance Watch, a surveillance instrument for figuring out rising psychoactive substances in Canada’s drug market, which additionally references worldwide early warning programs. Adopting standardized definitions and classifications for psychoactive substances can facilitate shared language and comparable statistics throughout organizations and international locations. With this in thoughts, Well being Canada not too long ago launched a classification framework to create comparative statistics on psychoactive substances. Prioritizing the monitoring of rising substances based mostly on their well being dangers and sharing detection methodologies for NPS (new psychoactive substances) would additional help this effort. Canada’s Toxicology Laboratory Response Community (Tox-LRN), established in 2016, aids well being authorities in detecting, assessing, and managing poisonous publicity occasions of public well being concern. Lastly, worldwide collaboration amongst international initiatives and member states can facilitate data alternate on efficient coverage responses. Sharing inventories of drug laws, instruments, and methods will help policymakers develop complete nationwide responses. Over the previous yr, Canada has been energetic within the International Coalition on Artificial Medication, figuring out greatest practices and initiatives. I’ll cease right here and welcome any questions. Thanks.
Moderator: Thanks a lot for this. We are going to now attempt to reconnect to Brazil.
Brazil (panel): In Latin America, technological developments have been progressing steadily, significantly within the space of System Growth Requirements. Nevertheless, the elevated misinformation reaching tens of millions, significantly round well being merchandise, oncology remedies and different medical merchandise have grow to be widespread, although stability of their distribution doesn’t signify an absence of disaster. Because the pandemic, mass-produced counterfeit merchandise by unauthorized producers and importers have grow to be a difficulty, elevating concern amongst federal businesses answerable for guaranteeing protected entry to healthcare. Addressing this drawback requires a coordinated effort that features federal businesses, healthcare suppliers, and shoppers. Relating to Environmental, Social, and Governance elements, information on the non-medical consumption of sure substances and their dangers should be introduced in an accessible approach to encourage consciousness and engagement from authorities and repair brokers. There are vital dangers related to the non-medical use of gear, which poses threats to each public well being and security, doubtlessly rising crime charges. Worldwide oversight of gear is essential. For instance, strict management measures exist for prescribed vaccines, however the rise of counterfeit merchandise outdoors regulated markets presents critical dangers to nationwide well being insurance policies and public security.
Moderator: Thanks very a lot. Mr. Oliva, for the for the reply, and I’ll open the ground once more for any questions and if there are not any different questions, I’ll use my benefit as being the moderator of the session to really ask you a comply with up query. Mr. Oliver, you spoke very briefly on the finish as to one of many greater challenges, which is the falsification of medicines, which can curtail nationwide and regulatory processes and mechanisms in place to make sure that or to attenuate the danger of diversion, May you maybe communicate a bit bit extra about these devices which might be in place in in Brazil to particularly get round falsified medicines, or, as you talked about, falsified opioids which may be circulating and circumventing common regulators
Brazil: First, treating the falsification of vaccines as a critical crime, topic to penalties and sanctions. We now have sturdy inside mechanisms for oversight, together with prosecutorial powers and cooperation between federal, state, and native regulation enforcement. This home integration of stakeholders is crucial for managing the state of affairs, particularly if counterfeit medicines, resembling weight reduction merchandise, grow to be standard and tougher to regulate. When unregulated circulation of those merchandise will increase, the state of affairs can escalate shortly. To forestall this, proactive measures to watch and anticipate modifications are essential. Setting requirements and treating vaccine falsification as a felony offense is essential. Coordinated communication, societal consciousness, and administration are important to handle this concern successfully. Worldwide cooperation can also be important, in addition to promptly dismantling any unlawful networks concerned within the distribution of counterfeit medicines.
Mexico: Whereas the questions are directed primarily on the panelists, my query additionally pertains to everybody right here. The problem we’re addressing is the abuse of artificial prescription medicines, significantly specializing in non-medical use. In conceptualizing this concern, it’s important to think about not solely the misuse by people but additionally the function of suppliers. As an illustration, there’s the matter of prescribed substances being misused and, individually, situations of suppliers doubtlessly contributing to over-prescription. With this in thoughts, my query for the specialists is: How correct or efficient is it to focus solely on the non-medical use of prescription medicines when designing insurance policies? Given the completely different dimensions concerned—every with its personal elements and dynamics—how will we guarantee our strategy captures the total influence on people and addresses these complexities comprehensively? Thanks.
Moderator: Thanks very a lot Mexico for the query. And I do know that we nonetheless have two different audio system, since your query is extra for all the knowledgeable panelists which might be right here, would you be okay with me retaining this query till all of the audio system have spoken. Subsequent, we’re joined by Mr. Dilkushi, who’s the technical officer from the knowledgeable committee on drug dependence at who thanks a lot for being with us. And the query to you is, what current developments have you ever noticed? Within the international developments of opioid misuse? How may technological innovation enhance the Nationwide Prescription practices monitoring and therapy
WHO, Ms. Dilkushi Poovendran, Technical Officer, Division of Entry to Medicines and Well being Merchandise: First, I want to be aware that the WHO stays devoted to making sure entry to managed medicines and supporting evidence-based remedies, together with new choices for managing palliative care worldwide. WHO reiterates that entry to protected and efficient formulations is crucial for the well being and well-being of individuals throughout the globe. In recent times, WHO has noticed that, as entry to those essential medicines has expanded, there’s elevated proof of the numerous public well being advantages related to them. For instance, current information present that enhancing entry to opioid agonist therapies reduces the transmission of bloodborne viruses resembling HIV and hepatitis C. Nevertheless, alongside challenges in accessing opioids for legit medical use, WHO has noticed an increase within the artificial opioid market and the non-medical use of prescription opioids, together with detection of novel artificial compounds. Particularly, WHO has famous a rise in dangerous artificial opioids and new psychoactive substances (NPS) showing available on the market. In recent times, WHO has documented particular public well being dangers related to nitrogen-based compounds, marking a shift from fentanyl analogs. The WHO Skilled Committee on Drug Dependence has beneficial worldwide management of varied artificial opioids, a lot of that are related to deadly and non-fatal overdoses. These compounds pose public well being dangers for a number of causes: they’re typically bought as falsified or counterfeit medicines. Earlier this yr, WHO issued an alert for the detection of substandard and falsified opioids, resembling metonitazene, which carries a excessive overdose threat when bought as a counterfeit opioid. Many of those artificial opioids are bought on-line and marketed as legit medicines. Shoppers unknowingly looking for real medicines are at elevated threat of overdose because of the efficiency variability of those compounds. A few of these opioids are additionally bought as benzodiazepines, posing a critical threat to people who could unknowingly take them and overdose. Moreover, artificial opioid compounds fluctuate broadly in efficiency, making it troublesome to find out protected dosages and complicating overdose reversal. Increased doses of naloxone, as an example, could also be required to reverse overdoses attributable to these artificial opioids. WHO urges international locations to make sure adequate provides of this life-saving medicine. WHO additionally acknowledges the current developments in therapy choices for substance use problems. Since issuing tips in 2009 recommending methadone and buprenorphine as gold normal remedies, WHO is now evaluating extra choices, resembling extended-release injectable naltrexone, buprenorphine formulations, and different promising remedies, with new tips anticipated in 2026. WHO continues to help research on long-acting buprenorphine in a number of international locations, together with monitoring therapy capability and entry to medicines. With extra details about the harms and advantages of managed medicines, WHO goals to assist international locations develop balanWHO:ced nationwide insurance policies to make sure protected, managed entry. By way of technical innovation, information sharing amongst related businesses, and using expertise are essential for balancing entry to managed medicines. Digital prescribing instruments, as an example, will help guarantee protected prescribing practices and continuity of care. Nevertheless, these applied sciences ought to complement strong foundational practices in prescribing, monitoring, and therapy.
El Salvador: What do you concentrate on an digital prescription system for pharmaceutical medication? It may tackle points such because the misuse of medicines, which is a world concern?
WHO: Digital prescribing programs can successfully enhance how medicines are prescribed, enhancing the prognosis and therapy of particular medical circumstances. These programs additionally allow the gathering of knowledge on the well being penalties of medical remedies. For instance, we may use giant datasets to evaluate the detrimental well being impacts of diversion, resembling an elevated fee of dependence. A key goal of digital prescribing is to make sure that medicines are safely prescribed to sufferers.
NGO, Mr. Humberto Rotondo, Youth RISE (on-line): I’d like to spotlight a selected instance of a COVID-era initiative that addresses the problems we’re discussing at the moment, specializing in cooperation between civil society organizations in my nation. This initiative took decisive motion in response to rising drug developments by creating its first artificial drug monitoring system, led by the Nationwide Fee for Drug Prevention and the Drug Observatory. This initiative is essential for guaranteeing the security of susceptible populations, significantly these at excessive threat of publicity to new artificial medication. Early warning programs are designed to gather and disseminate details about rising medication, serving to international locations assess and reply to new challenges. These programs are basic for enabling governments to strengthen their public well being infrastructure. Our early warning system aligns with the OAS’s Inter-American Drug Management Fee’s regional framework, demonstrating a dedication to worldwide cooperation in addressing drug-related challenges. Nevertheless, the success of early warning programs relies upon not solely on worldwide cooperation but additionally on sturdy partnerships with native civil society stakeholders. One civil society group I’d like to spotlight conducts drug checking via non-punitive providers in nightlife settings. These providers present life-saving interventions and assist construct belief inside communities of people that use medication. This group is well-positioned to detect rising developments and is keen to share information with public organizations to tell drug coverage growth and improve the influence of their work. Regardless of the comparatively low use of sure substances, technological developments in drug use current a rising problem. Latest information exhibits that 34% of drug customers purchase substances via non-prescription gross sales. Increasing drug-checking applications may assist tackle the rising presence of those substances out there. It’s important to foster sturdy relationships between civil society organizations and public establishments. Civil society providers, significantly within the areas of trust-building and information assortment, complement the info held by public organizations and are important for creating efficient drug insurance policies. By integrating these efforts, we will higher tackle the challenges and promote inclusive coverage growth that prioritizes public well being outcomes. Thanks.
Moderator: Are there any questions within the room, or maybe on-line? If not, I’d like to the touch on the query from Mexico. Would any of the panelists like to supply a short remark, in a single sentence, on the significance of specializing in the non-medical use of pharmaceutical medication and the way that may inform our insurance policies? Would anybody from the panel wish to contribute?
Panelist*: To start out, it’s essential to deal with non-medical use of pharmaceutical medication, together with artificial opioids, due to the dangers related to overdose and the pressure it locations on nationwide well being programs. Once we deal with non-medical use, we tackle potential issues earlier than they escalate. Prevention and guaranteeing entry to medical therapy are key, and we’d like stricter rules to take care of safety and keep away from well being crises.
WHO: Now, from the attitude of the WHO, it’s essential to acknowledge the well being penalties of overusing sure medicines, resembling antibiotics and prescription opioids. Overuse can result in antagonistic results, together with the danger of overdose and drug dependence. Acceptable well being measures needs to be in place to mitigate these dangers and make sure the protected prescription of such medicines. Thanks very a lot.
Brazil: From the attitude of psychological dependence, it’s important to trace information and keep strong surveillance programs. This enables us to watch long-term outcomes, resembling predicting potential dangers related to pharmaceutical misuse and informing higher coverage selections.
Canada: I feel I’ll simply shortly add to all the things that’s been mentioned within the research and a few of the nationwide surveys that we’ve finished, we discovered that most individuals utilizing a few of these opioids. Utilizing these stats from utilizing the prescription opioids for non prescription causes or non causes, we discovered that in some conditions, since now, proceeds to acquire the substances from the authorized market interdependency. So I feel that’s one of many essential causes. That’s one among them the place it’s mandatory to begin monitoring how persons are utilizing prescriptions, the place they’re getting it from, from mates or relations backing ahead to any well being results. Thanks
Moderator: Thanks a lot for sharing all of your experience in the course of the session. We’ve heard in regards to the significance of early warning programs and well being interventions and counternarcotic interventions, and the significance of guaranteeing entry whereas stopping diversion, in addition to the important significance of cross sector collaborations and worldwide cooperation. And we’ve heard a number of examples from completely different international locations, from NGOs and from worldwide organizations on how these mechanisms and practices could possibly be maximized to handle artificial opioids and the non medical use of pharmaceutical medication. And so with that, I thanks very a lot. I thanks, Mr. Chair and the Secretary for participating this, and I’ll flip it again to the Chair.
Chair: Thanks for the moderation and to all our panelists. Now I flip again to the ground and acknowledge Zimbabwe and Canada.
Zimbabwe: I want to present an replace on behalf of Zimbabwe. The primary pledge made by Zimbabwe in March was to transform not less than one decommissioned COVID-19 isolation facility in every of the nation’s 10 provinces into complete drug therapy and restoration amenities inside the subsequent yr. I’m happy to report that 10 amenities have been recognized. Two of those are operational, and 5 have not too long ago been assessed and are scheduled to open by the top of November 2024. The operational facilities are the Detox and Rehabilitation Middle in Marshall, Central Province, and the Kweku Rehabilitation Middle within the Midlands Province. The 5 facilities slated to open embody these in Daiwa (Dinara Metropolitan Province), Sima Youth Middle in Mazue, Mashonaland Central Province, Lope Mula Clinic in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, a clinic in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province, and Mafela Dawayna in Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North Province. Useful resource mobilization efforts from each the Authorities of Zimbabwe and its companions are ongoing and intensifying to help the rehabilitation and renovation of those amenities. Zimbabwe additionally pledged to determine a Nationwide Drug and Substance Abuse Management Company. I’m pleased to report that following cupboard approval of the company’s rules, a draft invoice has been formulated. The invoice is at present being finalized by the Lawyer Common’s Workplace and can quickly be introduced to the Nationwide Committee, the Cupboard Committee on Laws, after which to Parliament. As soon as handed, it should set up and formalize the company. Lastly, Zimbabwe pledged to allocate a minimal of 1.5 million US {dollars} in the direction of the nation’s drug and substance abuse applications for 2024. I’m happy to substantiate that this quantity has been allotted by the Treasury, and all seven pillars of the Nationwide Drug Abuse Technique are persevering with to implement responsive measures to handle drug-related points. We’re additionally working in the direction of the operationalization of the not too long ago launched Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Nationwide Motion Plan on Drug and Substance Abuse for the interval 2024-2030. Thanks, Chair.
Canada: I’m happy to offer an replace from Canada on our pledge for motion on the high-level phase of the CND. This previous March, Canada’s Minister of Psychological Well being and Addictions made a pledge emphasizing Canada’s dedication to addressing the world drug state of affairs, as outlined within the 2019 Ministerial Declaration. Addressing the challenges outlined on this declaration is a precedence for Canada, as we’re at present going through one of many worst public well being crises in our historical past, with no group untouched by this overdose disaster. The disaster is pushed by a fancy set of things, together with a harmful and unlawful artificial drug provide. The tragic impacts of this disaster are felt deeply amongst our mates, households, and neighbors. Canada’s initiatives to handle these challenges are guided by the Federal Canadian Medication and Substances Technique. The approaches beneath this technique deal with offering entry to a full continuum of healthcare providers, together with therapy, restoration, hurt discount, and prevention, with the last word purpose of saving lives, connecting individuals to care, and conserving communities protected. Since our pledge in March, Canada has made investments to proceed supporting Canadians throughout the continuum of care, together with a dedication of 150 million {dollars} over three years for an Emergency Therapy Fund. Moreover, Canada has launched the Canadian Drug and Substance Watch, a public instrument that highlights new and rising psychoactive substances as they seem in Canada’s unlawful drug provide. This instrument integrates information from varied sources, together with drug samples submitted by Canadian regulation enforcement, public well being officers, wastewater monitoring, and on-line monitoring. Canada has additionally offered funding for 11 tasks throughout the nation to help the nationwide implementation and adaptation of the Icelandic prevention mannequin as a part of Canada’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Program. We now have partnered with our largest psychological well being and addictions hospital to develop and disseminate a toolkit for pharmacy professionals to lift consciousness of stigma and promote greatest practices for lowering opioid stigma in pharmacy settings. Mr. Chair, there isn’t any one-size-fits-all strategy to addressing these challenges. It requires regional, nationwide, and worldwide collaboration. Canada stays dedicated to the objectives outlined within the Ministerial Declaration and can proceed to work collaboratively with all companions and communities to avoid wasting lives.
Chair: Thanks all. Now I open the ground for an interactive dialogue.
INCB Secretariat: The Secretariat has acknowledged the elevated harms and deaths attributable to non-medical artificial opioids, falsified prescribed drugs, and launched its International Opioids Venture in 2017. This morning, I spoke in regards to the suite of instruments developed for real-time data for central governments, most not too long ago highlighting Chemical Tyler and Snoop (sic), which goal rising and non-medical artificial opioids and associated prescribed drugs for presidency investigators and regulatory businesses. We prioritized collaboration with nationwide authorities and trade leaders to determine public-private partnerships and promising practices in areas resembling on-line advertising and marketing, postal and categorical motion, and the web monetization service industries. These partnerships have strengthened responses to trafficking and illicit manufacturing, in addition to varied pharmaceutical gross sales channels. By way of technical suggestions and insights from quite a few knowledgeable group conferences, the undertaking developed sensible steering for voluntary operations in e-commerce, the categorical courier trade, and internet-related providers resembling engines like google, social media, and on-line registries. This steering features a self-assessment instrument for figuring out promising practices by each private and non-private sector entities, enabling them to guage their very own practices compared to these utilized by different governments and peer industries. These actions have led to measurable reductions in on-line e-commerce and social media exploitation by opioid traffickers, together with the detection and dismantling of over 550,000 on-line marketplaces promoting the deadliest non-medical artificial opioids and associated chemical substances. This was mentioned earlier this yr on the first International Tech In opposition to Trafficking occasion on the United Nations in Vienna. Presently, regional technical officers are utilizing this steering to facilitate cooperation between governments and worldwide companions to enhance inside insurance policies, safe nationwide provide chains, and stop exploitation. This sequence is increasing with new practices from technical specialists to handle on-line monetization exploitation and supply prevention and remediation methods, all proven to cut back trafficking in non-medical artificial opioids. Many authorities businesses have but to make use of a few of these progressive instruments. Governments desirous about seeing demonstrations of those instruments or receiving steering can attain out to the Implementation Middle or contact regional technical officers in Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria, and Thailand. Thanks.
EU: Thanks, Mr. Chair. We’re deeply involved in regards to the elevated availability of artificial opioids and the related harms in Europe. In accordance with the European Drug Report 2024, artificial opioids, together with medicines and fentanyl, have been linked to an increase in overdose deaths in sure components of Europe. These substances are typically bought as artificial heroin and have been detected in counterfeit medicines on the drug market. The problem in figuring out such substances poses a critical threat to individuals who use medication and complicates the responses by medical professionals. Subsequently, there’s an pressing want for options that permit for the speedy identification of those substances and supply efficient threat administration. The European Drug Report 2024 additionally highlights a rise in poly-drug use, which presents rising challenges. That is partly because of the elevated market integration of established illicit medication and psychoactive substances, and partly because of the wider availability and use of artificial substances. An extra concern is that substances could also be bought containing a number of medication aside from what the purchaser was anticipating. Such poly-drug use will increase the danger of well being issues and complicates the supply of efficient interventions. The evolving drug state of affairs presents new challenges to public well being, and because of this, we should adapt our actions, together with prevention, early intervention, therapy, and hurt discount measures. We emphasize that interventions should be based mostly on scientific proof, tailor-made to the wants of focused teams, and delivered by educated, specialised professionals and friends. It’s essential to guard people from the well being, social, and societal harms related to artificial opioids, together with marginalization and stigmatization, whereas contributing to their reintegration into society. It’s also important to have the capability to determine substances concerned in drug-related overdoses and modify our responses based mostly on proof. A greater understanding of drug markets, rising developments, and threats is important. For this, we’d like dependable information, analysis, and elevated information alternate. We depend on the European Medication Company (EDA) for help on this space. In March, the European Union pledged to extend its preparedness and capability to reply to future developments by empowering the EDA to hold out proactive menace assessments and to develop a speedy European drug alert system. This technique would complement present early warning programs and contribute to safeguarding public well being and safety. The EDA grew to become operational on July 2nd of this yr, succeeding the previous European Monitoring Centre for Medication and Drug Dependancy (EMCDDA), with a broader mandate to concern warnings about significantly harmful substances coming into the market. A community of forensic and toxicological laboratories will even be established to facilitate data alternate on new developments and developments, in addition to to coach nationwide forensic drug specialists. Distinguished Chair, the EU and its member states proceed to strongly help an built-in, balanced, and evidence-based strategy that addresses each demand and hurt discount alongside provide discount within the implementation of joint commitments to sort out the worldwide drug state of affairs. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Venezuela: I want to take this chance to thank all of the panelists for his or her distinguished displays at the moment, in addition to for the chance to talk on this essential concern relating to prescribed drugs, artificial opioids, and their availability and misuse. We want to inform the Meeting that Venezuela has bolstered its efforts to regulate the use and distribution of artificial opioids. Nevertheless, most of our efforts are a response to the entry of those substances into our nationwide territory via neighboring international locations. Venezuelan well being authorities have labored intently to make sure that managed pharmaceutical merchandise, resembling fentanyl, meet worldwide security requirements and are distributed solely inside our nationwide healthcare system. This complete strategy is aligned with our nationwide coverage, which integrates prevention, management, and training in addressing the general public well being drawback, with full respect for human dignity and human rights. Whereas we keep strict management measures, Venezuela emphasizes that the provision of managed medication for medical therapy should be ensured to guard the fitting to well being and life. Not at all ought to entry to important medicines be restricted for political causes or unilateral coverage measures that hurt complete populations. Venezuelan actions are knowledgeable by the precept of shared however differentiated duty of each producer and shopper international locations going through these challenges. We emphasize that combating the drug drawback ought to adhere to the needs of the UN Constitution, together with full respect for the sovereignty and dignity of all nations. Venezuela calls upon all states to boost regulation and oversight of those substances and to advertise technical cooperation in step with the rules outlined in worldwide treaties. Thanks very a lot.
Australia: Like many areas around the globe, Australia is deeply involved in regards to the rise of artificial opioids and their related harms, which have contributed to overdose and loss of life within the nation. In 2022, artificial opioids resembling fentanyl, pyrimidine, and pethidine have been answerable for 240 overdose deaths in Australia. These substances have been first detected in Australia once they appeared in heroin and counterfeit oxycodone, in addition to non-opioid substances resembling cocaine, counterfeit Xanax, MDMA, GHB, ketamine, and even baker’s yeast. Early warning programs stay a important instrument in addressing rising drug threats resembling nitazenes. Australia’s Prong Response Community brings collectively early warning programs from throughout Australia and New Zealand to offer well timed alerts to stakeholders, together with well being professionals, service suppliers, and shoppers. The community makes use of information from varied sources, together with regulation enforcement, public well being, academia, and the casual sector. Since June 2022, this community has issued 18 public well being alerts associated to the invention of nitazenes in different medication. Each pre-consumption and post-consumption information are extremely invaluable for early warning. Pre-consumption information, resembling drug checking and seizure data, is especially advantageous as a result of it permits for detection with out an overdose occasion. This information additionally allows hurt discount methods, together with preemptive alerts. Australia can also be addressing the danger of overdose from artificial opioids via our nationwide take-home Naloxone program, which gives Naloxone freed from cost and with no prescription to anybody who could witness or expertise an opioid overdose or antagonistic response. Between July 2023 and October 2024, round 460,000 models of Naloxone have been distributed throughout Australia via not less than 4,800 suppliers. Along with this program, paramedics and police in sure jurisdictions are educated to hold and administer Naloxone within the occasion of an opioid overdose. Moreover, Australia has launched reforms to enhance entry to opioid agonist medicines resembling methadone and buprenorphine. Some Australian jurisdictions have additionally carried out extra hurt discount providers, together with drug checking, to additional fight the specter of adulterated substances. Over the previous decade, Australia has launched a sequence of measures to cut back the non-medical use of prescribed drugs, together with up-scheduling codeine to a prescription-only drugs, which has resulted in a 46% discount within the quantity of codeine equipped to sufferers. Different regulatory modifications embody smaller pack sizes for immediate-release prescription opioids and warnings in regards to the potential for dangerous use in product data. Australia has additionally adopted a Nationwide Actual-Time Prescription Monitoring System, which gives prescribers, dispensers, and regulators with well timed details about a affected person’s entry to high-risk medicines. This technique helps to tell safer prescribing and meting out practices. Lastly, we should acknowledge the persistent international disparity within the availability and entry to managed medicines. In accordance with the 2024 report, 87% of the world’s inhabitants lives with out ample entry to pharmaceutical opioids for ache reduction and palliative care. In gentle of this, Australia stays dedicated to addressing this disparity and continues to help the UNODC, the World Well being Group, and the Union for Worldwide Most cancers Management’s joint international program, which is being carried out in Timor Leste, Fiji, and Indonesia. Australia is devoted to working with the worldwide group to successfully tackle the dangers posed by artificial opioids and the non-medical use of prescribed drugs, whereas guaranteeing the ample availability and entry to managed substances for medical functions in order that no affected person is left behind.
Thailand: Thailand is dedicated to advancing drug management insurance policies to handle rising challenges, significantly within the space of opioid use. The Thai authorities is answerable for regulating the availability of opioid medicines, primarily via the Narcotics Management Board, beneath the oversight of the Thai Meals and Drug Administration. This ensures that distribution is tightly managed. Thailand is actively engaged in implementing measures to handle opioid use, together with regulation, inspection, and energetic management of the meting out of opioids. The nation can also be fostering collaboration and using expertise to boost reporting and enhance the administration of opioid-related points. These efforts are significantly essential in guaranteeing protected entry to medical therapy whereas minimizing dangers related to opioid misuse. Thailand stays totally dedicated to worldwide cooperation and sustaining entry to medical therapy whereas addressing the challenges posed by opioid misuse. We’re devoted to advancing options to guard public well being whereas managing opioid-related dangers successfully.
UK: The UK faces an rising threat from artificial opioids, and we welcome the chance to debate this essential concern on a global scale. Over the previous yr, the UK has seen an increase in artificial opioid-related considerations. In response, the UK authorities has carried out a complete, multi-agency strategy to detect and management these substances, together with enhanced entry to Naloxone to mitigate the dangerous influence of artificial opioids. The sale and provide of falsified and unauthorized medicines is a world drawback, which can also be mirrored within the UK market. We extremely worth our shut worldwide relationships and strengthened intelligence sharing, which has led to a major enhance within the interception of unlawful medicines over the previous two years. These partnerships are essential in combating worldwide drug trafficking and lowering the diversion of managed medicines into the UK, with a selected deal with monitoring uncommon gross sales patterns and guaranteeing provide chain safety. Each of those challenges require evidence-based coverage options, and the UK is dedicated to working with specialists, sharing greatest practices, and collaborating with worldwide companions—significantly via initiatives such because the International Coalition to Tackle Artificial Drug Threats, established by the US. We additionally name on our worldwide companions to help us in regulating the misuse of pharmaceutical medication by sharing developments and data that the UK can profit from. We stay up for sharing profitable methods with different international locations and dealing collectively to cut back the misuse of artificial opioids and pharmaceutical medication. Thanks.
South Africa: South Africa’s providers regulator, SAMHRA, and the Division of Well being are answerable for issuing applicable ranges of management in step with worldwide drug management conventions. Their focus is on regulating, monitoring, and guaranteeing the right use of managed substances to satisfy medical and scientific wants with out facilitating misuse. The first consideration for scheduling substances is security in relation to therapeutic use. South Africa continues to submit experiences on the import, export, manufacture, possession, and use of narcotic medication and psychotropic substances to worldwide our bodies. The Division of Well being has additionally carried out coaching for healthcare suppliers on the efficient use of managed substances to make sure their applicable use and decrease the danger of misuse. Along with SAMHRA, the Division carries out joint audits of healthcare amenities to make sure compliance and correct record-keeping. Public consciousness campaigns have been undertaken to teach the general public on the improper use of managed substances and the danger of diversion. These actions are important in sustaining the integrity of the medical and scientific use of those substances. One of many measures taken to handle the rising problems with substance misuse, together with opioids, is the event of latest draft tips. This guideline would permit regulators to request gross sales information from producers, suppliers, or distributors of any scheduled substances, enabling them to trace the circulate of gear from manufacturing to dispensary. In conclusion, South Africa maintains that the scheduling and management of gear to stop diversion and non-medical use mustn’t intervene with or restrict the legit wants for important medicines for sufferers with legitimate medical circumstances. A balanced strategy is required to regulate these substances whereas guaranteeing their availability and affordability to guard and promote public well being and security. Thanks.
Peru: I feel you will need to tackle the difficulty of artificial opioid use, which, though variable, has been reported by authorities as a rising concern. Regardless of the comparatively minor scale of artificial drug consumption, substances like fentanyl have vital implications, each when it comes to consumption and worldwide trafficking for medical and non-therapeutic use. Drug management rules prioritize authorities motion to regulate the availability and stop the consumption of high-incidence substances, resembling cocaine. Nevertheless, we’re evaluating and addressing the potential dangers posed by the rise in illicit commerce and the rising prevalence of consumption of latest psychoactive substances, designer medication, and artificial opioids. An instance of ongoing efforts on this regard is the occasion organized in November 2023, along with the UNODC and the Embassy of the US, which targeted on addressing threats such because the creation of international inspections of chemical data and unlawful fentanyl manufacturing methods. Moreover, this initiative is a part of the Spark Initiative, supported by the US, which promotes measures to control chemical substances and medicines used within the manufacture of artificial medication inside the framework of the International Coalition on Artificial Medication, established by the US Division of State in July 2023. We’re proud to be part of this coalition. Lastly, in June 2023, we signed a working settlement with the European Monitoring Centre for Medication and Drug Dependancy to advertise the alternate of methodologies, experience, and information on substances, in addition to to strengthen early warning programs on medication.
UNODC: I want to focus my intervention on the options accessible to all via the UNODC Artificial Drug Technique. This technique serves as a framework for motion, centered round 4 complementary spheres: multilateralism and worldwide collaboration, early warning, science-informed well being responses, and counternarcotic interventions.Every year, the technique outlines varied motion gadgets to help and information international locations in figuring out, tailoring, and adopting efficient measures to handle the rising challenges of artificial medication. As a part of the UNODC Artificial Drug Technique, and in collaboration with 13 UNODC companion applications, we’ve offered capability constructing and technical help to over 130 international locations in areas resembling drug identification, protected dealing with and administration of medicine and precursors, protected and environmentally pleasant disposal, crime scene investigations, superior investigative methods, authorized capability for prosecutors and judges in artificial drug instances, cryptocurrency and darkish net investigations, anti-money laundering, addressing corruption within the forensic sector, and early warning programs. A major useful resource is the UN toolkit on artificial medication, which was developed collaboratively with UNODC, the INCB, and the WHO. This toolkit homes over 500 sensible assets and has been accessed by greater than 290,000 customers. It consists of 50 mannequin modules accessible in all six official UN languages, overlaying thematic areas resembling forensics, precursor management, air trafficking, protected dealing with and disposal, legislative responses to artificial medication, superior investigative methods, public-private partnerships, cybercrime, crime scene investigations, prevention, therapy and care, and entry and diversion prevention. Within the coming yr, we’ll launch new applications to strengthen worldwide and regional cooperation on artificial medication, such because the Worldwide Community for Laws on Medication, Monetary Establishments In opposition to Medication, and Justices United In opposition to Artificial Trafficking. Moreover, the UNODC Leaders Fellowship Program will assist improve scientific capability constructing and technical help, particularly in dismantling clandestine laboratories and drug profiling. Girls and gents, along with our companions, we’re working to assist member states construct capability to foretell, stop, and defend in opposition to the threats posed by artificial medication. Whereas the UNODC Artificial Drug Technique is particularly tailor-made to artificial medication, its steering, assets, and instruments broadly contribute to addressing the general objectives of the World Drug Programme. Thanks very a lot, Mr. Chair.
Argentina: Distinguished delegates, We acknowledge the challenges posed by fentanyl and the necessity for technical help to successfully tackle this concern. One of many essential challenges recognized thus far is the profitable manufacture of fentanyl, and it’s important to emphasise the significance of accelerating technical data and elevating consciousness in regards to the critical penalties of fentanyl abuse. We’re dedicated to supporting the creation of institutional options and offering technical help to boost prevention efforts. These efforts additionally deal with the prevention of fentanyl trafficking and its illicit commerce, which is essential for addressing the broader international influence of artificial medication. We want to spotlight our technical help undertaking in opposition to artificial medication in Argentina, which gives protected and up to date assets for coping with artificial substances, together with 127 artificial medication.
VNGOC: I’m right here representing [Association Project], a civil society group based mostly in Spain. At the moment, I communicate on behalf of almost 600 organizations in 158 international locations, together with NGOs, networks, academia, and governments, supporting the worldwide initiative on drug use prevention. The Declaration of Oviedo is a groundbreaking international effort aimed toward strengthening and scaling up efficient, evidence-based prevention in drug coverage at international, nationwide, and native ranges. As we collect to handle the artificial opioids disaster and the non-medical use of prescribed drugs, the significance of prevention has by no means been clearer. Science more and more exhibits that a good portion of drug use-related issues is preventable. The 2023 World Drug Report highlighted the necessity for large-scale, worldwide drug use prevention initiatives. In June 2023, nationwide and worldwide specialists convened in Oviedo, Spain, to debate efficient methods aligned with scientific requirements. From this session, over 200 specialists drafted the Declaration of Oviedo, which incorporates 10 guiding protocols and is now translated into greater than 40 languages. We name for international locations to allocate not less than 25% of their drug demand discount finances to prevention by 2030, emphasizing methods that concentrate on all ages and prioritize early intervention. We advocate for extra analysis and analysis to remove ineffective practices, specializing in people and communities moderately than simply on medication. Intersectional approaches needs to be mainstreamed to help at-risk populations, and multi-stakeholder programs needs to be enhanced to offer common care as a human proper, with a particular deal with low- and middle-income international locations. Empowering future prevention professionals is essential, as is accountable monitoring to trace coverage standing and influence. Full particulars of this initiative, together with a listing of supporting organizations in every nation, will be discovered at OviedoDeclaration.org. Prevention is crucial to handle the disaster of artificial opioids and the non-medical use of prescribed drugs in the long run. That’s the reason at the moment we encourage member states to prioritize discussions on evidence-based prevention within the subsequent session of the Fee on Narcotic Medication. Thanks in your consideration.
CHAMPS, UNODC: I’ll attempt to mix some remarks that I had ready for the session this morning, which I used to be unable to ship, and work backwards from there. Beginning with at the moment’s session, I want to construct on the factors raised relating to entry to managed medicines. We now have heard how important managed medicines are, but entry stays restricted, particularly in low- and middle-income international locations. Limitations to entry not solely go in opposition to the commitments of the conventions but additionally hinder progress in addressing this concern. What I want to emphasize at this level is that overcoming these obstacles is totally attainable—and will be finished safely and successfully. The UNODC’s Prevention, Therapy, and Rehabilitation sections are collaborating with WHO, ISV, and lots of different worldwide and civil society organizations in a joint program, which was talked about by the distinguished delegates from Australia, to help member states. We’re at present working in 4 international locations, and we purpose to increase this effort to many extra. We now have established a technical working group dedicated to fostering joint advocacy and programming, and I stay up for seeing the outcomes of this collaboration quickly. We now have additionally launched a community of younger medical doctors, who’re the way forward for our well being programs, to extend their capability in guaranteeing entry to managed medicines. We thank all those that have nominated candidates for this community. Relaxation assured, this community is already laborious at work. Moreover, we purpose to develop extra instruments and make them accessible to the worldwide group. For instance, final month, we organized a technical session assembly on the diversion of managed medicines, a subject that was raised earlier at the moment on this room. Addressing considerations about diversion is essential for enhancing entry to managed medicines, and we’re planning extra initiatives to reply to the challenges raised within the discussions at the moment. For instance, we’re contemplating the hyperlink to non-medical use and the potential function of digital monitoring programs. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, I’d additionally wish to return to the dialogue this morning and spotlight our collective must spend money on evidence-based drug prevention, therapy, and care. I used to be happy to listen to many interventions that touched on this, together with the connection to psychological well being providers. Had we collectively invested severely 5 to 10 years in the past in interventions based mostly on scientific proof, contemplating gender and age, we might doubtless not be going through the present considerations over increasing and diversifying drug markets. There would have been much less demand, and consequently, fewer well being and social penalties. The therapy hole has been widening over the past 5 years, and pressing motion is required. UNODC, along with WHO and different intergovernmental organizations, has developed a variety of instruments to facilitate the creation of service programs. These instruments align with the UNODC-WHO worldwide framework for drug use problems. These programs embody all mandatory interventions to guard and promote the well being of people that use medication, and to help restoration if people select that path. This consists of all the things from screening and temporary interventions to needle alternate applications, pharmacological choices like opioid remedy, psychosocial therapies for overdose administration, and restoration help. We can be found to help the worldwide group with all these efforts. On this context, we’ve recognized an essential hole: at present, there are not any medicines accepted for the therapy of stimulant use problems. Furthermore, evidence-based psychosocial therapies for these problems aren’t broadly utilized. Because of this, over the last CND, we launched a scalable initiative to help analysis to find options for stimulant use problems—options that can be scalable worldwide. I invite all member states to hitch and help this initiative. Lastly, I wish to point out our current launch of the “Kids Amplified” prevention providers in March. With the help of member states, we purpose to exhibit the effectiveness of constructing prevention programs that break the cycle of vulnerability linked to socio-economic drawback. As we mentioned this morning, psychological well being is a key side of prevention. We’re honored that this concern has acquired vital consideration, and we encourage everybody to be taught extra in regards to the progress of this initiative on the upcoming convention on Friday at 10 AM.
VNGOC: I’m honored to symbolize the voices which might be typically missed in drug coverage discussions. The present market dynamics reveal a decline in heroin availability in the US and Canada, resulting in a shift in the direction of artificial opioids and adulterants. These adulterants are sometimes added to opioids like heroin or morphine for varied causes. In our survey, 96% of customers most popular diamorphine over fentanyl and different adulterants. To handle these points, we developed a real-time alert platform known as the Speedy System, which collects information to tell decision-making. From September 2022 to July 2024, we analyzed a pattern of 1,875 samples from British Columbia, a province with excessive overdose charges. Out of those, 7,170 samples triggered alerts, with over 55% of them involving unknown opioid mixtures. These samples have been confirmed by the biggest drug-checking lab within the province, highlighting the challenges of latest, potent opioid mixtures which might be more and more troublesome to detect. Whereas artificial opioids, together with adulterants, pose dangers for all customers, they disproportionately have an effect on younger girls, rising their vulnerability to an infection and different well being dangers. These medication are sometimes engineered to keep away from regulation enforcement detection, complicating efforts by hurt discount professionals and regulation enforcement alike. Because the composition of artificial opioids turns into extra complicated and potent, it’s essential to notice that many customers don’t search these substances however moderately, face the results of a market that has advanced to keep away from detection and regulation. The danger elements for customers, significantly these with disabilities, embody restricted entry to prescribed alternate options and inflexible prescribing tips. This lack of flexibility will increase the vulnerability of sure populations, significantly girls and youth, to exploitation. To handle these points, we suggest the next:
Increasing entry to prescribed alternate options, together with diamorphine, for youth and people with disabilities.
Growing the number of prescribed opioids accessible for youth who don’t want to inject.
Implementing person-centered therapy approaches and wraparound care, which incorporates entry to housing and employment.
Strengthening group hurt discount measures, resembling rising funding for youth-led organizations and public well being initiatives.
Supporting collaboration throughout all stakeholders in hurt discount efforts.
Moreover, we acknowledge that detection applied sciences utilized by hurt discount professionals ought to differ from these employed by regulation enforcement, because the illicit market will proceed to seek out new methods to bypass detection. I stay up for collaborating with all of you on these important points. Thanks.
France: I actually respect this morning’s session, which was wealthy in setting the scene and describing the complicated panorama we face. It reaffirmed the necessity for collective motion to strengthen our efforts in opposition to narcotrafficking. I align with the assertion made by the distinguished consultant of Europe and want to make a number of extra remarks. First, my delegation is especially involved about current shifts in drug developments, such because the rise in artificial medication, the elevated use of ketamine, and poly-drug consumption in Europe. There’s an pressing want for multidisciplinary therapy approaches for drug and opioid customers. As a primary response to the morning panelists, I want to help what the consultant of Interpol talked about, particularly the necessity to improve cooperation and intelligence sharing on the most recent developments within the drug sector. Information is essential—with out dependable information, authorities will wrestle to successfully goal, disrupt, and dismantle networks. With out actual, actionable information, we gained’t make progress. Second, human rights should stay on the coronary heart of all our insurance policies in opposition to the unlawful drug commerce. In response to the Mexican evaluation, I wish to underline that the influence of drug use on our residents’ well being, together with psychological well being, is a rising concern. The transmission charges of HIV, hepatitis, and different illnesses related to drug abuse stay excessive because of the persistent inefficiencies in well being providers and therapy. France has lengthy been dedicated to supporting equitable entry to healthcare for individuals worldwide, together with via contributions to the International Fund to Struggle HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, in addition to UNITAID and UNAIDS. We should collectively reinforce our deal with prevention, significantly for youngsters and youngsters, in addition to for girls and susceptible populations. Hurt discount measures concentrating on girls should even be prioritized. I additionally be part of Brazil in highlighting one other urgent problem: the environmental influence of the drug commerce, together with drug manufacturing, manufacturing, trafficking, and consumption. The worldwide environmental toll, resembling air, water, and soil air pollution, in addition to deforestation, should be higher understood. This requires progressive approaches and options that tackle each environmental and well being considerations. I want to thank the UNODC for chairing this morning’s panel and for elevating consciousness of this important concern. The dangers attributable to medication are critical and ever-evolving. We should confront them whereas upholding our respect for human rights and adhering to worldwide drug management conventions. As a member of the Fee on Narcotic Medication, France stays dedicated to participating with the UNODC and all its companions.
Japan: The trafficking of artificial medication is an escalating menace to well being, safety, and socio-economic stability. The elevated efficiency and excessive mortality charges have exacerbated this menace, making a formidable problem. Japan has been intently monitoring this concern, significantly in Southeast Asia, the place the artificial drug market has expanded considerably. The Golden Triangle has been acknowledged as a serious manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, however now artificial drug manufacturing has unfold to neighboring international locations, creating quite a few scattered websites. This enlargement of the drug commerce has launched complicated challenges for detection and monitoring. In response, Japan advocates for a balanced worldwide strategy that addresses each the availability and demand sides of this disaster. We now have invaluable instruments at our disposal, together with frameworks for data sharing, which join our efforts. Japan additionally believes we will straight profit from international initiatives, such because the U.S.-led International Coalition, which promotes strong options to handle artificial drug threats. For these efforts to succeed, it’s important that we transfer ahead in a unified method. We acknowledge that the disaster can solely be addressed via collective motion. Thanks.
UK: Thanks, Chair, for giving me the ground, and due to the panelists for his or her displays this morning. The UK is dedicated to making sure that our regulation enforcement businesses and their international companions have the help they should sort out new drug threats. Let me briefly define how we’re attaining this. First, the diversification of drug markets requires progressive, extra versatile authorized frameworks. Within the UK, the Psychoactive Substances Act was launched in 2016, granting regulation enforcement the ability to prosecute the availability of any psychoactive substances not already managed beneath the Misuse of Medication Act, or in any other case exempt. Second, well timed information is essential. The UK has established an early warning system to watch rising drug threats. This consists of nationwide information assortment applications for laboratory-confirmed detections of gear in illicit markets, resembling a post-tech surveillance system for samples from people coming into therapy, drug checkers, and police testing. We additionally proceed to help the UNODC’s early warning advisory platform, which is significant for informing our collective response. Regulation enforcement collaboration via businesses like Europol and Interpol, and knowledge sharing facilitated by the IMCB and UNODC, is crucial in shaping our understanding of the threats we face. The UK is proud to steer a line of motion as a part of the second yr of the International Coalition to handle artificial drug threats. We stay up for bringing this initiative to the CND and dealing via the Fee to additional our efforts. We’re grateful to our companions on this room for his or her continued help. Thanks.
Lithuania: Initially, my delegation want to categorical our gratitude to you and the Secretary-Common for organizing this essential dialogue on such a fancy and demanding public well being concern. We consider {that a} long-term, constant, and balanced strategy is crucial, as one of the best outcomes are achieved by making use of basic measures to cut back each provide and demand, whereas offering hurt discount methods for efficient administration. It’s essential to make sure institutional and worldwide cooperation, in addition to coordination in finishing up monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of measures. Hashish stays probably the most generally used drug in Europe. Nevertheless, the current evolution of the drug panorama has launched a broader vary of gear and more and more diversified markets. The challenges we face at the moment point out that the present strategy is not totally related, because the drug market is changing into extra complicated. Legal regulation should undertake daring methods, whereas recognizing that patterns of drug consumption change quickly, creating new and rising developments out there. For instance, the rise in new psychoactive substances is a notable growth. The dynamics of drug markets have shifted over the previous decade, not solely because of the enlargement of present medication, but additionally due to modifications within the areas most affected. In accordance with information from the Legal Police Bureau, felony offenses associated to the possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances—each for distribution and private use—have elevated. Notably, there was an increase within the seizure of generally abused medication. Since 2020, drug-related crime has elevated considerably, with the quantity of confiscated medication doubling, and the seizure of MDMA rising by two and a half occasions. Scientific cannabinoids have additionally doubled, and cocaine seizures have risen by over 60 occasions. This pattern is regarding, as using a number of substances and the ensuing dependence requires an built-in, evidence-based strategy. Subsequently, my nation helps the adoption of a long-term nationwide agenda for drug and alcohol management, together with prevention and hurt discount, extending via 2055. The federal government has already adopted the 2024-2026 motion plan, which outlines 42 initiatives developed in shut collaboration with related actors and ministries. This agenda and motion plan present a possibility to positively affect and enhance public well being and social outcomes. By appearing globally, we will help create an setting for the event of efficient drug insurance policies that can profit our personal nation whereas contributing to international progress. Thanks very a lot.
Morocco: I want to congratulate you, in addition to the Secretary, for organizing this essential dialogue on the implementation of worldwide tasks, following up on the Ministerial Declaration of 2020. I additionally respect your informative presentation on the progress made within the implementation of all worldwide coverage commitments, significantly these associated to addressing drug use and trafficking. As we face vital challenges in combating the world drug drawback, the complexity of the difficulty has solely elevated. In accordance with the most recent experiences from UNODC and INCB, the worldwide drug drawback continues to pose main well being dangers, with a rise in drug manufacturing and the emergence of latest substances, significantly artificial medication and co-active substances. The broad availability of medicine on-line additional complicates regulation and enforcement. Furthermore, entry to therapy stays restricted, with a disproportionate influence on susceptible populations. This has extreme penalties for public well being, safety, and financial stability. In response to those challenges, we should intensify our efforts to focus on drug trafficking channels by adopting progressive methods. This requires enhanced worldwide cooperation, efficient prevention applications, appropriate therapy methods, and strong well being analysis. We should actively take part in negotiations and totally decide to implementing the coverage paperwork adopted, significantly the high-level declaration of 2019. This declaration underscores our collective duty to speed up the implementation of worldwide agreements and methods aimed toward combating drug use and trafficking. The built-in technique to fight drug use and trafficking ought to adjust to worldwide conventions, stop addictive behaviors at an early stage, and goal each the availability and demand of medicine. It should be grounded in human rights, sustainable growth, and energetic engagement with civil society. Our efforts ought to embody the adoption of preventive measures to lift public consciousness of the risks of illicit drug use and the institution of therapy and rehabilitation amenities for drug dependancy. The motion plan ought to prolong via 2025 and deal with enhancing the administration of drug dependancy instances, together with applications for drug customers and the event of socio-economic tasks on the bilateral, sub-regional, and worldwide ranges. As well as, we’re happy to tell you that native authorities have continued their efforts to strengthen the capacities of African international locations. This consists of organizing coaching applications to boost expertise in investigation, technical and scientific insurance policies, and felony intelligence. Officers from 16 African international locations have participated in these applications, which give invaluable expertise in addressing the worldwide drug drawback. We additionally proceed to foster exchanges of experiences and operational intelligence with African international locations, particularly these in Morocco. Lastly, we’re dedicated to furthering growth and social responses to this concern, recognizing the significance of cooperation in addressing the foundation causes and penalties of drug abuse globally.
Belgium: Additional focus needs to be positioned on the choices and actions assured by the discussions at the moment, significantly relating to artificial medication and prescribed drugs, which current vital challenges to public well being and safety worldwide. It’s essential to take complete steps to handle these challenges via a coordinated strategy. Nationwide drug businesses should lead the struggle in opposition to organized crime and develop progressive methods. On this context, efforts have been made to increase authorized frameworks to fight organized crime, significantly relating to the interception of medicine and hosted packages transported by air. Nevertheless, one key problem stays: a few of these carried out practices must foster higher data sharing, particularly inside the non-public sector. You will need to emphasize that the prescription of medicine to sufferers should proceed to be dealt with with care, whereas navigating the complexities surrounding these points.
VNGOC: Because the President of CDLL, a Lebanese civil society group dedicated to youth prevention and dependancy therapy since 2006, I tackle you beneath the umbrella of the Vienna NGO Committee on Medication, with deep concern in regards to the quickly increasing and diversifying drug disaster in Lebanon. A long time of battle have made Lebanon a key participant in regional drug trafficking and illicit cultivation. Over the previous 20 years, Lebanon’s illicit drug manufacturing, initially targeted on opiates and hashish cultivation, has shifted to Captagon, largely because of the Syrian battle, adopted by elevated methamphetamine manufacturing. Artificial drug labs have expanded within the Bekaa Valley and alongside Lebanon’s borders. Captagon, initially produced for armed teams, is now spreading internally, and its commerce is affecting regional politics and threatening social peace. The legalization of hashish for medical use has worsened the state of affairs, with poor authorities regulation and the normalization of hashish use, particularly amongst youth. Moreover, the web has broadened drug markets, making it simpler for traffickers to achieve remoted communities. In 2001, the reported age of first use was simply 9 years previous. Lebanon’s individuals have paid an amazing worth for 15 years of civil conflict and ongoing crises that fueled dependancy. This, coupled with elevated drug availability, psychological fragility, financial hardship, and a extra permissive tradition, has led to rising consumption, significantly of hashish and alcohol, as individuals search reduction from stress and anxiousness attributable to occasions just like the financial collapse and the 2020 Beirut port explosion. The conflict has exacerbated these points, leading to greater than 3,000 deaths, 13,500 accidents, and almost 1.2 million internally displaced individuals (as of November 5). The varsity yr has not began, as half of the nation’s public faculties have been repurposed as shelters. 1.5 million youngsters face a sixth yr of disrupted training, elevating deep considerations for his or her well-being and Lebanon’s generational restoration. Dependancy therapy has been severely impacted, forcing rehab facilities to shut and hindering healthcare service provision. Civil society organizations are struggling to satisfy hovering demand. Public healthcare is beneath excessive stress, with over 100 main healthcare facilities and eight main hospitals shut down, and detox providers suspended. In a area marked by battle and complexity, halting the proliferation and trafficking of medicine isn’t a straightforward job. Nevertheless, we will and should deal with stopping substance abuse, because it stays a important concern that we’ve the ability to handle. It’s essential to:
Implement applications concentrating on each in- and out-of-school youth.
Strengthen coordination between worldwide and native organizations.
Promote a localizing mannequin that channels funding on to native organizations, bypassing inefficient and corrupted authorities mechanisms to make sure assets attain people requiring therapy, preventive care, and reduction.
Improve information assortment frameworks and enhance the capabilities of area actors.
Above all, we should cease the conflict, as its influence spreads throughout geographies, cultures, and communities, affecting us all. A ceasefire is essential—not solely to cease the violence however to stop the trauma that fuels rising despair, psychological well being misery, and dependancy for generations to come back.
Thanks.
Chair: We now have come to the top of at the moment’s session. Thanks everybody. We are going to reconvene tomorrow.
