Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), presented INCB's 2024 reports to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy drew attention to the ongoing inequalities between regions in the consumption of opioid analgesics used in anesthesia and pain treatment, and various psychotropic substances used in the treatment of mental and neurological disorders and substance use disorders.
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Vice Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Head of the Forensic Sciences Department, and Director of the Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, presented the Board's 2024 reports to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Addressed the thematic section on the rapid expansion of the illicit synthetic drug industry
The INCB's annual report reviews the functioning of the international drug control system and highlights critical developments in drug control. Presenting the report's thematic section on the rapid expansion of the illicit synthetic drug industry, INCB President Prof. Dr. Atasoy emphasized INCB's work in 2024 through precursor (used in the production of drugs) control and GRIDS programs to mitigate the significant threat this poses globally to public health.
In this context, Prof. Dr. Atasoy stated that licensed shipments of millions of liters and hundreds of thousands of tons of chemicals used in the production of drugs such as fentanyl and amphetamine (precursors) were monitored, and additionally, 2,600 tons and 500,000 liters of chemicals were prevented from being diverted to illicit production. He also mentioned that through INCB's GRIDS Program, approximately 25,000 incidents involving new psychoactive substances were processed across 160 countries, and 45 events were organized for operational interventions.
Efforts to supply narcotic drugs for medical and scientific purposes…
Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy also elaborated on INCB's efforts to ensure the supply of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes, emphasizing that “in 2024, INCB reviewed and confirmed or established over 4,000 estimates for more than 1,500 tons of narcotic drugs used in anesthesia, pain management, and opioid agonist treatment, and processed over 4,500 annual assessments and amendments for more than 2,500 tons of psychotropic substances used in the treatment of neurological and mental health conditions and opioid agonist treatment.”
Inequality in the consumption of substances used in anesthesia and pain treatment highlighted
INCB President Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy drew attention to the ongoing inequalities between regions in the consumption of opioid analgesics used in anesthesia and pain treatment, and various psychotropic substances used in the treatment of mental and neurological disorders and substance use disorders.
Prof. Dr. Atasoy also stated that another critical issue brought to the Council's attention by INCB is the availability of controlled substances for the treatment of opioid use disorder. He said, “Approximately 10 percent of individuals with opioid use disorder have access to opioid agonist treatment. In some countries with a high prevalence of people who inject drugs, access to methadone, buprenorphine, and opioid agonist treatment services remains limited or even non-existent.”
“Ensuring access to internationally controlled substances in humanitarian emergencies is essential”
Prof. Dr. Atasoy emphasized the following in her presentation:
“Ensuring access to internationally controlled substances in humanitarian emergencies, including situations arising from armed conflicts, is essential. The conventions provide for accelerated movement of such substances in emergencies, and the INCB urges countries to make full use of these provisions.”
Highlighting the tangible achievements made together with Member States, INCB President Prof. Dr. Atasoy cited drug control mechanisms as “excellent examples of multilateralism at work and agreements translated into action for the benefit of all.”
Prof. Dr. Atasoy added that these efforts depend on sustained resources and that the United Nations Secretariat's ongoing budget liquidity crisis has already affected INCB's work, for example, by postponing critical country missions.