President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Prof. Sevil Atasoy, stated, “Governments should allocate sufficient resources to drug prevention and health services, implement international drug control treaties fairly and proportionately, and prioritize social reintegration over punishment.”
Prof. Atasoy emphasized that the coming decade will bring new and complex challenges in the fight against drugs and noted that criminal networks will increasingly use artificial intelligence to optimize drug production, avoid detection, and personalize marketing strategies.
Calling for compassion especially toward people who use drugs, Prof. Atasoy said, “Stigma and discrimination remain the greatest barriers to seeking help. Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failure.”
Prof. Sevil Atasoy, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Vice Rector of Üsküdar University, Head of the Department of Forensic Sciences, and Director of the Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, shared a critical message with governments, civil society, and the international public on the occasion of June 26, International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
This year’s theme: evidence-based solutions for a healthier future
In her message to the public, governments, civil society, and the international community, Prof. Atasoy highlighted both the emerging drug-related challenges of the coming decade and the values that should guide global responses.
Prof. Atasoy stated, “The theme of this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has been designated as ‘Evidence-Based Solutions for a Healthier Future.’ This call to action reminds us that drug control policies must be based on science, rooted in human rights, and guided by global solidarity. This year’s day calls for investment in prevention areas that constitute the foundation of sustainable resilience, such as justice, education, health services, and alternative livelihoods.”
Future threats: artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and synthetic drugs
Prof. Atasoy underlined that the next decade will pose new and complex challenges in the fight against drugs and listed five major threats closely monitored by INCB:
The Rise of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): The speed at which synthetic opioids such as nitazenes and synthetic cannabinoids are developed and marketed is surpassing existing legal mechanisms. This is one of the most urgent concerns for the global community.
Artificial Intelligence and Drug Trafficking: Criminal networks will increasingly use artificial intelligence to optimize drug production, avoid detection, and personalize marketing strategies. Virtual reality markets and artificial intelligence-designed chemical formulas are no longer speculative; they are emerging realities.
Digital Markets and Cryptocurrencies: Darknet markets have matured, while social media and messaging applications are being used for drug distribution. Cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi) have become preferred tools for money laundering and are obstructing investigations.
Climate Change and Illicit Cultivation: Changing weather patterns are altering the geography of drug production. Climate-induced poverty and displacement may make vulnerable populations increasingly dependent on illegal drug economies.
Organized Crime and Global Instability: In regions where instability prevails, organized crime networks are expanding drug production and trafficking on an unprecedented scale. This fuels violence and undermines institutions.
No one should be left behind
Prof. Atasoy expressed that the INCB calls on all individuals to recognize that drug use is not solely a criminal justice issue but fundamentally a matter of health, development, and human rights. She stated, “The most important message we convey today is this: No one should be left behind. Prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation must be accessible, non-discriminatory, and respectful of human dignity.”
Stigmatizing language should be avoided
Prof. Sevil Atasoy expressed the INCB's appeals as follows:
“Governments must allocate adequate resources to drug prevention and health services, implement international drug control treaties in a fair and proportionate manner, and prioritize social reintegration over punishment.
Societies and families should foster support and open communication environments, particularly with young people who are increasingly exposed to drugs through digital platforms.
The private sector, including technology and pharmaceutical companies, must act responsibly by strengthening online monitoring mechanisms and preventing the diversion of substances from legal supply chains.
Media organizations should avoid sensationalism and stigmatizing language, and instead raise awareness through balanced, evidence-based reporting.”
A call for compassion for people who use drugs
“Educators and health professionals must equip individuals with accurate information and practical tools to build resistance against drug use.
We especially call for compassion toward people who use drugs. Stigma and discrimination remain the greatest barriers to seeking help. Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failure. Empathy and science must guide our policies and attitudes.”
Preserving the global drug control system
Reaffirming the importance of the three international drug control conventions, Prof. Atasoy emphasized that the multilateral framework continues to be indispensable for protecting global health and well-being.
She warned, “For over sixty years, the international control system has helped combat diversion and abuse while also ensuring access to medications. In today's fragmented world, abandoning this framework would empower criminal actors and endanger public health.”
Let us renew our shared commitment
Noting that in the coming years, the global drug issue will become more multidimensional, more technological, and more intertwined with other global crises such as climate change, migration, inequality, and conflict, Prof. Atasoy said:
“No country can face this alone. INCB is committed to working with all stakeholders to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. We will continue to provide objective, science-based guidance and promote dialogue among governments, international organizations, and civil society. Let us renew our shared commitment. Let us act with compassion, courage, and cooperation. Let us stand united in our pledge to protect the health and well-being of humanity.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)