Global drug policy: How to win the war?

In recent years, the global narcotics landscape has undergone dramatic transformation—most notably with the surge of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which are reshaping illicit markets and accelerating overdose crises, particularly in North America. From trade tensions between the U.S. and China to Europe’s expanding cocaine market and the UK’s record drug-related death rates, the intersections between drug policy, public health, and international relations have never been more urgent.

Recent developments—including the ground breaking inclusion of “harm reduction” in a United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution—signal a shift toward more compassionate, evidence-based policies. As pressure mounts to move beyond outdated, enforcement-led frameworks, this discussion will examine how diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and legal regulation can foster a more coherent and humane global response to drug policy challenges.

This panel will explore the complexities between reform advocates calling for continued momentum, traditionalists prioritizing law enforcement led approaches, and the growing cracks in the global drug control consensus.