Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, on behalf of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), of which she is a member and former president, attended the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs held in Vienna between March 10-14, 2025.
At this year's CND session, member states addressed issues such as the prevention of drug use among children, treatment of stimulant use disorders, safety of officers in dismantling synthetic opioid laboratories, the environmental impact of drugs, and strengthening the global drug control framework.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice-Rector and Head of Forensic Sciences Department Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, in her capacity as a member and former president of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), attended the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). The session was held in Vienna between March 10-14, 2025.
The Commission comprises 53 member states from all regions of the world
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the central policymaking body of the United Nations in drug matters, is tasked with assessing progress in the implementation of international drug policy commitments. The Commission comprises 53 member states from all regions of the world. The CND decides which substances should be placed under international control, based on recommendations from the World Health Organization and the International Narcotics Control Board. These control mechanisms help prevent the misuse of psychoactive substances, protect individuals and communities from drug use, and reduce crime and violence. They also ensure that these substances are available for medical and scientific purposes.
Prevention of drug use among children addressed
At this year's CND session, member states addressed issues such as the prevention of drug use among children, treatment of stimulant use disorders, alternative development, safety of officers in dismantling synthetic opioid laboratories, the environmental impact of drugs, and strengthening the global drug control framework.
Tackling these problems is only possible through international cooperation…
During the different sessions she chaired throughout the meeting, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy highlighted that the rapid spread of synthetic drugs poses a serious global problem, and also pointed out the perpetuation of inequality among countries in accessing green and red prescription drugs, especially those used for pain relief and mental health issues. Atasoy underlined that overcoming these two fundamental problems is only possible through international cooperation.
The public health threat posed by the proliferation of synthetic drugs is also a central focus of the International Narcotics Control Board's 2024 Annual Report, published on March 4. The Board calls for a comprehensive strategy to combat the illicit production, trafficking, and consumption of synthetic drugs.
INCB's participation in side events and interaction with member states
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) was represented by Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy at various side events.
On March 10, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy attended the event titled '20 Years of the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Europe; Launch of the 2024-2029 Regional Programme for Southeast Europe and Regional Reports,' organized by the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Europe with the support of Turkey. Also on March 10, she participated in the high-level side event titled 'The Middle East and the Synthetic Drug Threat,' organized by UNODC with the support of the Governments of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, and Saudi Arabia, and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences. Additionally, on March 10, Atasoy chaired the UNODC Young Physicians Network's informal meeting on 'Access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, prevention of diversion and non-medical use.'
Following INCB's signing of a memorandum of understanding with the International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care (IAHPC) in 2024, Prof. Atasoy delivered the opening remarks at IAHPC's side event on March 10, titled 'Improving equitable global availability and affordability of essential medicines under international control in Africa through inter-institutional, Member State and civil society partnerships.'
Combating the illicit production of synthetic drugs
On March 11, Prof. Dr. Atasoy delivered the opening speech at the side event titled 'Follow the equipment - Normative and operational experiences on monitoring the use of specialized equipment,' organized by Costa Rica with the support of Belgium, China, Netherlands, INCB, and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States, focusing on 'Combating the illicit production of synthetic drugs.'
Prof. Dr. Atasoy also participated as a panelist on March 12 in the side event titled 'Youth-focused Drug Abuse Prevention,' organized by the Uganda Youth Development Link with the support of Japan, under the umbrella of 'Towards an Informal International Platform.'
Officials from Turkey introduced the 'Narkogöz' Project activities
On March 12, officials from Turkey attending the meeting also made presentations at the event titled 'Securing Supply Chains: The Role of Law Enforcement in Combating Drug Trafficking and Other Illicit Activities in International Transport Corridors,' organized by Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, UNODC Border Management Branch, and the UNODC Regional Section for Europe, West and Central Asia. On the same day, officials from Turkey also introduced their activities at the event titled 'Narkogöz' Project.'
Atasoy spoke at the 'Giving a Voice to Silent Suffering' event
Prof. Dr. Atasoy also delivered the opening speech at the side event titled 'Giving a Voice to Silent Suffering' on March 13. At the side event titled 'Giving a Voice to Silent Suffering: Revitalizing the Global Call to Action for Access and Availability of Controlled Substances for Medical and Scientific Purposes,' organized by the Union for International Cancer Control with the support of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, UNODC, the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission, presentations were made by the African Palliative Care Association, Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care, International Children's Palliative Care Network, Oriella Films, Palliative Care in Humanitarian Situations and Emergencies, Team Humanity International, the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs, and the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance.
On March 13, the event titled 'Breaking the Cycle: Drug Use, Health Issues and Social Consequences in Vulnerable Contexts,' organized by Doctors of the World with the support of Turkey and UNODC's Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section and the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association, took place.
Consultations held with member states for 2025
On March 14, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy attended the side event titled 'International Travelers Carrying Internationally Controlled Substances,' organized by INCB with the support of Thailand, the United Kingdom, and UNODC, and met with representatives of Member States and international and regional organizations on the margins of the session, as part of ongoing cooperation to promote the implementation of drug control conventions, along with INCB President Dr. Jallal Toufiq. Informal consultations were held with member states regarding the supply and demand of opiate raw materials for 2025.
During the 68th session of the CND, training was provided to competent national authorities on INCB platforms for the control of precursor chemicals, including PEN Online, PEN Online Light, and PICS. Training was also provided on tools such as IONICS, GRIDS Intelligence HD, SNOOP, and ELITE, which are provided within the framework of the INCB Global Rapid Intervention of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme.