The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), is issuing this Health Advisory to notify public health professionals, clinicians, laboratorians, and people at risk for overdose about increasing reports from U.S. jurisdictions detecting medetomidine in the illegal drug supply and a severe withdrawal syndrome due to medetomidine exposure. Medetomidine (also known as 'rhino tranq,' 'mede,' or 'dex') is not approved for human use but is approved for sedation and analgesia in dogs. Its dextro-isomer...

Illicit drug markets operate through a complex, global chain—from production and trafficking to consumption and the profits that fuel organised crime. At every stage, these activities compromise the health and security of countries worldwide. The European Union (EU) recognises these risks and has developed a range of policies and responses to address the challenges posed by the production and trafficking of illegal drugs, working closely with international partners.

The EU’s approach spans multiple strategic areas, including security, organised crime, maritime and regional cooperation, and...

Since 2003, the Paris Pact Initiative (PPI) has grown into a key international coalition, now comprising 58 partner countries and 22 organisations, including UNODC. It provides a vital platform for consensus-building, linking high-level political commitment with practical technical assistance on the ground. By strengthening cooperation among counter-narcotics actors worldwide, the Paris Pact supports coordinated policy-making and evidence-based interventions to tackle the illicit traffic of opiates originating in Afghanistan.

The Initiative focuses on major opiate trafficking routes, with...

The global market for synthetic drugs has grown rapidly in recent years, with amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and new psychoactive substances (NPS) becoming a significant concern worldwide. ATS, which include amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy-type substances, are now the second most widely used drugs after cannabis. Meanwhile, NPS such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones and phenethylamines continue to emerge in large numbers, often outpacing substances under international control, and pose serious health risks across a wide geographical spread.

In response to this growing...

Understanding drug markets in Europe requires monitoring both supply and demand. Traditionally, this has relied on data such as drug seizures, prices, purity and offences. However, because drug markets operate illicitly, gathering and interpreting reliable data remains a challenge. At the same time, modern drug policy increasingly focuses on reducing harm, which means monitoring must go beyond law enforcement indicators to also consider the wider impact on society.

To address this, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has developed a new framework to improve...

The Paris Pact Initiative (PPI), launched in 2003, is one of the leading international coalitions tackling the illicit trafficking of opiates from Afghanistan. Bringing together 58 countries and 23 organisations, including UNODC, it serves as a vital bridge between high-level political commitment and practical action on the ground. The partnership provides a platform for shaping policy, sharing expertise and aligning counter-narcotics efforts worldwide.

The PPI focuses on major trafficking routes, adapting its responses as trends evolve. Initially centred on the northern and Balkan routes, it...

In 2015, the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) expanded its reach with new Port Control Units (PCUs) across Asia and Europe, including in Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam, as well as the first Air Cargo Control Unit in Pakistan. Alongside these milestones, the Programme advanced its use of technology through systems like ContainerCOMM and the Container Targeting System, while also launching the CCP Women’s Network to promote gender inclusion in its work.

Training remained central to the CCP’s mission, from core sessions on enforcement...

The rapid rise of synthetic drugs has become one of the world’s most pressing drug-related challenges. After cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are the most widely used drugs globally, now surpassing cocaine and heroin. Alongside this, the market for new psychoactive substances (NPS) has expanded at an alarming pace, with reports of their presence in over 90 countries. These fast-changing trends make it difficult for governments to respond effectively, particularly as synthetic drugs continue to diversify and adapt.

To address this, the UNODC launched the Global SMART Programme in...

The evaluation of Phase III of the Paris Pact Initiative (2010–2012), supported by UNODC’s Project GLO K31, examined how effectively this global partnership has addressed the trafficking and consumption of opiates, particularly those originating in Afghanistan. Bringing together 58 countries and 21 organisations, the Initiative has played a key role in strengthening international cooperation, improving data and analysis, and fostering better-informed policy decisions. Respondents acknowledged the importance of its consultative mechanisms — including the Policy Consultative Group and Expert...

The International Narcotics Control Board’s 2015 report on precursors highlights global efforts to stop chemicals being diverted into the illicit manufacture of drugs. It points to successes achieved through international cooperation, including platforms like the Precursor Task Force, Project Prism, Project Cohesion, and the PEN Online system, which has become a key tool for monitoring chemical trade worldwide.

Despite progress, the report warns that drug production is shifting towards new, non-scheduled chemicals that fall outside existing controls. To tackle this, the Board calls for more...