MOROCCO – To reiterate its commitment to the fight against the production, smuggling, and distribution of synthetic drugs, the Kingdom of Morocco has joined collaborative efforts to establish a first-of-its-kind global mechanism.
This joint effort comes as the synthetic drug threat is escalating and proliferating globally and has fuelled an epidemic of opioid and methamphetamine misuse and overdose deaths.
According to the World Health Organization, about 35 million people are estimated to be affected by drug use disorders (harmful pattern of drug use or drug dependence).
Illicitly-manufactured synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, tramadol, methamphetamine, captagon, MDMA, and ketamine threaten the health, security, and well-being of people around the world.
Countries have committed to cooperating on the prevention of the production and trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, identifying emerging drug trends and use patterns, and responding to their public health impacts.
This pledging initiative was made during a virtual ministerial meeting under the banner “Launch the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats”.
The virtual ministerial meeting comes shortly after the United States Department of State announced the formation of a broad international coalition to combat synthetic drugs.
The meeting’s key highlight was the adoption of a Joint Ministerial Declaration that formalizes the creation of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drugs.
In a press release, the State Department said: “Synthetic drug threats cut across both public health and criminal justice; within a country, no single agency can provide the solution: law enforcement, regulatory, commercial, and public health entities must work together both within their borders and around the world.”
Following the establishment of the Global Coalition, the United States will initiate consultations with participating countries to establish priority actions and measures to confront synthetic drugs.
Partners will collaborate in working groups to offer new solutions, drive national action, and advance combatting synthetic drugs as a policy priority.
The objective of the Global Coalition is to pool efforts to develop comprehensive strategies to effectively address illicit synthetic drugs and their trafficking.
This initiative comes as part of the kingdom’s efforts to tackle the huge public health problem of drug use and addiction and curb drug trafficking, aligning with the resolutions adopted by United Nations bodies.
It will build on Morocco’s progress in the implementation of a comprehensive and integrated strategy to combat drug and psychotropic substance trafficking.
The comprehensive action plan focuses on reducing supply, preventing drug abuse and consumption, combating illicit trafficking, and strengthening international cooperation
Speaking on this commitment, Nasser Bourita, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco, said: “The success of this new global mechanism requires the collective commitment of all stakeholders in the fight against synthetic drugs.”
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita emphasized the need to accelerate and strengthen the global response to synthetic drugs while welcoming the establishment of the new global mechanism.
He further said that the global coalition comes at a crucial time when the devastating consequences of drug use on health, security, and social cohesion are on the rise worldwide, noting that international cooperation and multilateralism should be its guiding principles.
Consequently, Bourita recommended the establishment of an effective alert system to identify new emerging synthetic substances.
“This alert system should facilitate the rapid exchange of information and intelligence between member countries to facilitate rapid detection and reaction,” stressed Bourita.
He advised government officials to strengthen scientific and research partnerships to stay ahead of evolving synthetic drug trends and implement awareness, education, and community resilience programs, both online and offline.
The Moroccan politician pointed out that countries should prioritize early healthcare intervention and treatment options to prevent synthetic drug abuse, ensure appropriate treatment, and raise public awareness.
Moreover, countries have been advised to develop joint operations, participate in capacity building, and encourage partnerships between scientific communities, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement agencies for effective responses, with a focus on the African continent.
“The growing loss of human life due to synthetic drugs is a strong reminder of the urgent need for concerted action. The number of people suffering from drug-related disorders has almost reached 40 million, representing an increase of 45% over the last decade,” underscored Minister Nasser Bourita.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 42 million years of healthy life loss (DALY) were attributable to drug use in 2017; that is about 1.3% of the global burden of disease.
It is estimated that worldwide there are almost 11 million people who inject drugs, of whom 1.4 million live with HIV and 5.6 million – with hepatitis C.
What’s more, the virtual ministerial meeting to launch a global coalition to address synthetic drug threats saw the participation of 30 foreign ministers, ministers, and officials from over 80 countries, as well as representatives of regional and international organizations.
Her Excellency, Lolwah R M Al-Khater, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, is a case in point.
Moreover, Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the virtual ministerial meeting on behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
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