THE NARCOTICS MENACE

International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 2023 Annual Report, prepared in accordance with the international drug control treaties, examines the global drug control situation and makes recommendations to governments and regional and international organizations. It focuses on the role of the Internet, including social media, in JALLAL TOUFIQ, President of the INCB, explores the challenges and opportunities for drug control, prevention, and treatment in the era of the Internet, with a landscape of online drug

- JALLAL TOUFIQ

The INCB 2023 annual report presents an analysis of the global availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes, showing persistent regional disparities in the consumption of opioid analgesics for pain treatment. This is due in part to countries not accurately estimating their medical requirements for these substances, many of which are essential medicines. Levels of consumption of affordable morphine in regions other than Europe and North America are insufficient to address medical needs. INCB is supporting Member States in improving their estimates and thus improving the availability of controlled substances for medical, scientific and industrial purposes through the INCB Learning programme.

Regarding illicit drug supply, illicit opium poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan declined dramatically. Alternative livelihoods need to be secured as affected farmers may not have other sources of income. Developments in global illicit markets will need to be closely followed, particularly the grave health threat posed by the potential substitution of heroin with highly potent synthetic opioids.