The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the policy-making body of the United Nations with responsibility for drug control and other drug-related matters. It meets annually and monitors the global drug situation, develops strategies for drug control, and recommends measures to address the problems caused by drug use. It held its 68th session at its headquarters in Vienna in March 2025. Approximately 2,000 government representatives and other stakeholders attended the session.1

Hexahydrocannabinol and other substances placed under control

Part of the role of the CND is to place harmful substances under international control. Based on recommendations from the World Health Organization, 6 new substances were placed under control at the 68th session. Of particular interest in the Irish context is the addition of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) to Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971. HHC is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid with effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that has been found in a variety of consumer products. This means that the signatories of the 1971 Convention (of which Ireland is one) are required to restrict HHC’s use to only scientific, medical, and industrial purposes.2 Four synthetic opioids linked to fatal overdoses were also placed under control.3 The sixth drug placed under control was carisoprodol, which is a muscle relaxant and is widely misused in combination with opioids and benzodiazepines. 

Resolutions adopted

The CND has a role in adopting or rejecting resolutions proposed and backed by various member states. Six resolutions were adopted at the 68th session:

1. “To protect children and adolescents, the Commission encouraged the implementation of scientific, evidence-based drug prevention programmes, emphasising the need for early interventions and cross-sectoral collaboration to build resilience against non-medical drug use.
2. Recognising the growing impact of stimulant use disorders, another resolution promoted research into effective, evidence-based treatment options, calling on Member States to invest in innovative pharmacological and psychosocial interventions to improve care for those affected.
3. The importance of alternative development was reaffirmed with a resolution aimed at modernising strategies that help communities transition away from illicit crop cultivation, ensuring long-term economic opportunities while addressing broader issues like poverty and environmental sustainability.
4. In response to the rising threat of synthetic drugs, the Commission adopted a resolution to protect law enforcement and first responders dismantling illicit synthetic drug laboratories and advocating for stronger safety protocols, enhanced training and international cooperation to reduce risks.
5. To strengthen the implementation of international drug control conventions and policy commitments, the Commission decided to establish an expert panel tasked with developing a set of recommendations to strengthen the global drug control system.
6. Additionally, recognising the environmental damage caused by illicit drug-related activities, the Commission adopted another resolution calling on Member States to integrate environmental protection into drug policies and address the negative impacts on the environment resulting from the illicit drug-related activities.”1

Independent review of the global drug control system

The fifth resolution has been welcomed by those working in the drug control sector and seeking drug policy reform. It was submitted by Colombia and supported by a cross-regional coalition of member states. The resolution focuses on “strengthening the global drug control system: a path to effective implementation” (p. 1).4 Under this resolution, it is agreed to establish a multidisciplinary panel of 20 independent experts to consider what changes may need to be made to “the existing machinery for the international control of narcotics drugs” (p. 2),4 and to make a set of recommendations to strengthen this system.

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of approximately 190 organisations “that works collectively to promote person-centred, rights-affirming drug policies at the national, regional and international levels”.5 Following the adoption of the fifth resolution, the IDPC published an advocacy note welcoming this as a “ground-breaking document” (p. 1).5 The IDPC describes it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to propose serious changes that further social inclusion, social justice and the health and welfare of humankind” (p. 1).5

1    United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2025) CND 68 Concludes: Six New Substances Controlled; Six Resolutions Adopted. Available from: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2025/March/cnd-68-concludes_-six-new-substances-controlled-six-resolutions-adopted.html

2    Health Products Regulatory Authority (n.d.) About controlled drugs legislation. Available from: https://www.hpra.ie/regulation/controlled-drugs/controlled-drugs-legislation/about-controlled-drugs-legislation#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20(UN)%20Conventions,1971%20Convention%20on%20Psychotropic%20Substances

3    N-pyrrolidino protonitazene, N-pyrrolidino metonitazene, etonitazepipne, and N-desethyl isotonitazene.

4    United Nations Economic and Social Council (2025) Implementation of the international drug control treaties: challenges and future work of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the World Health Organization and the International Narcotics Control Board in the review of substances for possible scheduling recommendations. Vienna: United Nations Economic and Social Council. Available from: https://docs.un.org/en/E/CN.7/2025/L.6/Rev.1

5    International Drug Policy Consortium (2025) Repairing the “machinery”: recommendations and expectations for the independent review of international drug policy commitments. London: International Drug Policy Consortium. Available from: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/43266/