Global drug policy: How to win the war? | Cyber and Security Affairs

Global drug policy: How to win the war?
30
June 2025 — 6:30PM TO 7:30PM
Anonymous (not verified)
12 June 2025

Chatham House and Online

Former Presidents Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and former High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, outline how multilateral cooperation and policy change can reverse global drug trends.

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 As pressure mounts to move beyond outdated, enforcement-led frameworks, this discussion will examine how diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and legal regulation can foster a more coherent and humane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.

Convened as part of the Global Commission on Drug Policy annual plenary meeting, this discussion will bring together former Presidents and global experts to address these critical issues.

By registering for this event, attendees agree to our Code of Conduct, ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming space for diverse perspectives and debate.

Source: Chathamhouse Events