ISSUP’s Chief Executive, Joanna Travis-Roberts; Scientific Advisor, Goodman Sibeko; and Program Coordinator Mulka Nišić were pleased to participate in this year’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), contributing to discussions and strengthening partnerships across the global substance use field.
The event provided an important platform to engage with international stakeholders, share expertise, and reinforce the value of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary workforce approach to address substance use and associated crime.
During CND, ISSUP representatives spoke at side events, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to advancing evidence-based practice across the substance use community. These sessions provided an opportunity to showcase ISSUP’s growing global network and to emphasise the importance of professionalisation within the workforce.
The side event “Youth, Recovery, and Resilience: Addressing Stigma and Strengthening Prevention and Pathways to Care for Adolescents” highlighted ISSUP’s work around youth and in advancing evidence-based approaches in equipping the workforce. It also addressed the importance of preventing the recruitment of young people into crime, reinforcing the need for coordinated responses that link prevention, recovery, and broader social support and justice systems.
ISSUP’s partnership with the African Union was further reflected through the side event presenting the next iteration of the AUC Plan of Action on Drug Control. During this engagement, ISSUP reiterated its commitment to supporting the continued review and implementation of key action areas, including those focused on young people, with particular emphasis on prevention interventions and efforts to prevent recruitment into drug-related crime.
ISSUP held a series of productive meetings with civil society partners from across different regions, including AU, Barcelona Forum on Drugs, CHJ at Tasc, DFAF, ISSUP Greece, ISSUP Uganda, NACOC, Planet Youth, Proyecto Hombre, OAS/CICAD, RUN, UNODC, UYDEL, Vienna NGO Committee & WFAD. These discussions focused on identifying shared priorities and exploring opportunities for future collaboration. There was a strong emphasis on working together to expand access to training, strengthen national networks, and support the development of sustainable systems that address substance use in a holistic way.
In addition, various discussions were held on strengthening youth engagement and the development of regional youth networks, with a focus on increasing meaningful participation of young professionals in global and national responses.
The engagement at CND reflects ISSUP’s ongoing commitment to connecting professionals and organisations across all sectors involved in addressing substance use, including health, social care, and criminal justice.