Vice Rector of Üsküdar University and President of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Prof. Sevil Atasoy, presented INCB’s 2025 reports to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Serious inequality in access to controlled substances persists
Prof. Atasoy, who conveyed INCB’s Annual Report and the Precursors Report to member state representatives, stated that the global estimation and assessment system applied to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is one of the significant achievements of international cooperation.
Prof. Atasoy, pointing out that the diversion rate of legally produced controlled substances to illicit channels is extremely low, emphasized that global inequalities in access for medical purposes persist.
A success story of international cooperation
The INCB Annual Report reviews the functioning of the international drug control system, highlights developments in drug control, and includes a thematic chapter on international cooperation within the framework of the three drug control conventions.
INCB President Prof. Atasoy highlighted the global estimation and assessment system for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, exemplified by the very low diversion rate of legally produced controlled substances, as a success story of international cooperation.
Global inequality in access to morphine persists
Prof. Atasoy, stating that global progress towards increasing the accessibility of these substances for medical and scientific purposes has not yet been reflected in the data reported by member states to INCB, continued as follows:
“Morphine is one of the most affordable opioids for pain treatment and palliative care, yet 86% of global consumption is concentrated in Europe and North America. 82% of the world's population, particularly in low and middle-income countries, consumed only 14% of the morphine used globally for pain management in 2024. Similarly, significant regional inequalities still exist in the consumption of psychotropic substances used in the treatment of neurological and mental health disorders. Increasing accessibility, including in humanitarian emergencies, requires an integrated approach that also addresses affordability. The INCB Learning program assists governments in implementing drug control conventions to increase accessibility for medical purposes.”
Strong monitoring by INCB against synthetic drugs
Prof. Atasoy highlighted how INCB's precursor control and Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) programs support governments, through training and technological tools, in preventing the illicit manufacture and trafficking of high-potency synthetic drugs like fentanyl and nitazenes.
Prof. Atasoy explained that as of 2025, over 125,000 intelligence messages, comprising more than 3 million trafficking signals, have been shared in real-time through INCB IONICS tools, stating, “In March 2025, the use of the INCB PEN Online platform prevented three tons of 1-boc-4-piperidone, a fentanyl precursor that could have been used to produce 1.6 billion potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, from being diverted. The 2025 Precursors Report presents up-to-date information on the precursor situation worldwide and measures taken for the implementation of Articles 12 and 13 of the 1988 Convention regarding precursor chemicals, materials, and equipment used in the illicit manufacture of drugs.”
Balance must be struck between medical use and control
Atasoy noted that both reports offer recommendations for a balanced approach to international drug control, stating that the conventions provide flexibility in the choice of measures. Atasoy, however, emphasized that national systems must restrict the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances exclusively to medical and scientific purposes, and that implementation measures must adhere to the principle of proportionality, the rule of law, and human rights.
Prof. Atasoy concluded her speech by adding that INCB's activities to protect public health and welfare depend on the active participation and support of member states, including sustainable financial resources.
