The activities of authorised agencies such as police, customs, border services, and investigative bodies to enforce drug control laws and address criminal activities related to the production, trafficking, and distribution of illicit substances. These activities may include investigations, intelligence gathering, interdiction, and collaboration with national and international partners to disrupt organised crime networks. Law enforcement plays an important role in protecting public safety and maintaining the rule of law, and is most effective when coordinated with broader public health, prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts as part of a balanced and comprehensive response to substance use.
Law Enforcement
The Role of Faith Communities in Addressing Substance Use and Crime – Reading List (Part 2)
In this second reading list, we continue exploring the growing evidence on the role and contribution of faith communities and faith-based organisations in addressing substance use and crime, with a particular focus on treatment engagement...
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS) Annual Conference 2026
Leading political figures, civil society representatives, think tanks, policy experts and foresight practitioners will come together at this year’s ESPAS annual conference “Europe 2040: What future for European security?" on 3 November to debate the future of European security in its various aspects with a time horizon of 2040.
Synthetic cannabinoids: Reflections from Mauritius
During a recent engagement in Mauritius, I had the opportunity to hear the National Agency for Drug Control (NADC) present the National Drug Control Master Plan 2026–2030 and to share the suite of resources available through ISSUP. This...
PTACC 2026 International Deflection and Pre-Arrest Diversion Summit
We are so excited for the PTACC 2026 International Deflection and Pre-Arrest Diversion Summit taking place at Loews Ventana Hotel in Tucson, Arizona, from Tuesday, December 1 through Friday, December 4!
Organized crime groups: A systematic review of individual-level risk factors related to recruitment
Background: Studies from multiple contexts conceptualize organized crime as comprising different types of criminal organizations and activities. Notwithstanding growing scientific interest and increasing number of policies aiming at...
Carfentanil Detected in Counterfeit Tablets and Powders: What the Substance Use Workforce Should Know
A new health alert reports carfentanil in counterfeit “M30” tablets and powders seized at the United States Southwest border. Carfentanil is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, and some tablets contained it without any fentanyl. The findings highlight how the appearance of an illicit tablet or powder cannot reliably indicate its contents or strength. Prevention, treatment and recovery professionals should reinforce overdose awareness, naloxone access and timely connections to care. Law enforcement, laboratories and public health partners should follow safe handling protocols, test comprehensively and share emerging drug market information quickly.
Psychosocial determinants of recidivism risk among incarcerated individuals with a history of substance use: A systematic review
The prevalence of recidivism among individuals with a history of substance use and incarceration remains a significant concern for criminal justice systems worldwide. With significant social and economic ramifications, preventing people...
Rehabilitation and Re-entry Programmes for Justice-Involved Individuals and Their Effectiveness in Social Reintegration: A Systematic Review
Prison rehabilitation and community re-entry programmes implemented during incarceration or in the transitional period serve as significant mechanisms for facilitating justice-involved individuals in their post-release adaptation. This...
The product may not be what it says: What emerging synthetic drugs and dangerous mixtures mean for practice
The clearest message from our recent ISSUP Global webinar was a simple but important one: we should stop assuming that an unregulated drug product contains only what it is sold as containing. That uncertainty now has direct implications for prevention, clinical care, recovery support, toxicology, law enforcement, policy and the administration of justice.
Drug Diversion Schemes Linked to Lower Reoffending Rates, New Research Finds
New research examining more than 62,000 criminal incidents across 13 police forces in England found that police-led drug diversion schemes are associated with significantly lower reoffending rates than traditional prosecution for drug...