Over the past year, the conversation around synthetic drugs has taken center stage in international drug policy. In mid-2023, the United States launched the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, a diplomatic initiative aimed at bringing governments together to confront the rapid growth of synthetic substances. Within just a few months, more than 120 countries had signed on, demonstrating the urgency and global scale of the issue.
As the UN General Assembly prepared for its 78th Session, the U.S. also advanced a resolution urging member states to intensify global cooperation to address both the public health and security dimensions of synthetic drugs. Yet, a critical question remains: will this coalition foster innovative, health- and human-rights-based responses, or will it reinforce the same enforcement-heavy strategies that have long defined the “war on drugs”?
This upcoming online discussion will contribute to that ongoing debate, bringing together experts in public health, harm reduction, and human rights to reflect on the implications of current global policy directions. The conversation will explore:
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How prohibition and enforcement have unintentionally spurred the diversification of synthetic substances — a phenomenon often referred to as the “balloon effect.”
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The essential medical role of certain synthetic drugs, such as tramadol and ketamine, and the risks that stricter international scheduling could pose to access in low- and middle-income countries.
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Why harm reduction must be at the heart of global responses, with a focus on preventing overdoses, ending punitive measures, and challenging stigma against people who use drugs.
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The potential for the new Global Coalition and its forthcoming resolution to advance meaningful, rights-based change in international drug policy.
Speakers
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Keynote: Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Global Commission on Drug Policy
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Daan van der Gouwe, Drug Markets Researcher, Trimbos Instituut (Netherlands)
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Theshia Naidoo, Managing Director of U.S. Foreign Policy, Drug Policy Alliance (USA)
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Andrzej Celinski, Contract Manager & Executive Administrator, Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs
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Lisa Sánchez, Executive Director, Mexico Unido Contra la Delincuencia
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Smriti Rana, Head of Strategic Programs and Partnerships, Pallium India
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Moderator: Ann Fordham, International Drug Policy Consortium
This event invites participants to look beyond prohibition and explore how international cooperation can truly prioritize health, dignity, and evidence-based policy in responding to the global rise of synthetic drugs.