UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy

In celebration of International Women's Day 2025 – #AccelerateAction, we proudly recognize the remarkable contributions of the female staff within UNODC's Laboratory and Scientific Services. Through their dedication to strengthening forensic capacity worldwide, they support evidence-based responses that advance peace, security, justice, and health. As part of this celebration, we are sharing a special video where some of our female colleagues answer two powerful questions: Who is your female role model? and How would you describe a woman? Their inspiring responses showcase the strength, resilience, and impact of women in science and beyond. #IWD2025 #WomenInScience #UNODC

📅 Save the Date! Next week, delegates unite at #CND68 to tackle global drug policy, prevention & treatment. Join us to see how UNODC and Member States are working together to build effective responses and ensure no one faces these challenges alone ➡️ bit.ly/3Fed7uE

Synthetic drugs continue to evolve at an alarming pace, posing new challenges for public health and safety. To prevent crises before they unfold, early detection is critical. 🎥 Watch our latest video to see how the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy is working with our partners across UNODC to support Member States in staying ahead of emerging synthetic drug threats—ensuring faster detection, smarter responses, and stronger protections for communities. ⏰ The UNODC Early Warning Advisory (EWA) plays a key role in this effort, providing real-time data and analysis on synthetic drugs worldwide. Explore it here: https://lnkd.in/dRDV5iyv 🛠️ For practical tools and guidance, the Early Warning module in the United Nations Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs offers resources to support policymakers, forensic drug laboratories, law enforcement and customs authorities in understanding and enhancing early warning systems: https://lnkd.in/dvhS6Gq6 🙏 A special thank you to Jared Brown of UNODC Laboratory and Scientific Services and Nayelly L. of UNODC Global Programme on Cybercrime for their valuable contributions to this work and this video.

Synthetic drugs will be at the center of discussions at #CND68 next week. As this global challenge continues to rapidly evolve, the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy is working to support comprehensive responses worldwide. From early warning systems and counternarcotics interventions to health responses and international cooperation, the Synthetic Drug Strategy is leveraging partnerships within UNODC, across the United Nations system, and with international and regional organizations to harness synergies, break down silos, and deliver the most relevant and effective responses to the global synthetic drug problem. 🔗 Join the conversation and explore our full lineup of CND events here: https://lnkd.in/dziqUa4b

🔎 A park bench overdose. A hidden lab. A suspicious shipment. What do they have in common? Synthetic drugs—and complex crime scenes. UNODC is equipping law enforcement with the skills to investigate safely & effectively.

One thing all 167 experts in attendance at this year's Expert Group Meeting on synthetic drugs agreed on-- no country is immune from the rapid evolution of synthetic drugs. Learn more about the discussions on emerging challenges, innovative responses, and the urgent need for international collaboration in the newly published Conference Room Paper summarizing the meeting:  https://lnkd.in/d2sFqSni

I don’t know a single person back home in America who hasn’t been affected by the opioid crisis in some way. It’s a crisis that has devastated communities, taken countless lives, and continues to evolve with the rise of synthetic drugs. This Monday, March 3rd at 6:30 PM, I invite you to join me at Top Kino in Vienna for a screening of 7 Days – An Opioid Crisis in Arkansas, a powerful documentary that sheds light on the human toll of this crisis. After the screening, I’ll be part of a panel discussion to talk about the critical work my colleagues at UNODC UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy are doing to address the global synthetic drug problem. This is an urgent conversation that extends far beyond any one country. I look forward to an engaging discussion and hope to see many of you there!

Under the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy🇺🇳, #GPCD #CRIMJUST supports Member States in strengthening their criminal justice response to synthetic drug trafficking!

🌍 Synthetic drugs know no borders, but their threats vary based on local dynamics. At our recent Expert Group Meeting on synthetic drugs, 163 experts from 67 countries came together to exchange insights on their unique challenges and approaches for addressing synthetic drug threats. 🤝 Collaboration is key to strengthening responses—learn more about the key takeaways from this year's EGM here: https://lnkd.in/d8-ibYdv

At our recent Expert Group Meeting on synthetic drugs, one key takeaway was clear: drug seizures alone are not enough. Several experts stressed the urgent need to strengthen forensic capacity to identify and profile seized substances, ensuring a more effective response to synthetic drug threats. Discover more key insights from the EGM here: https://lnkd.in/d8-ibYdv