VIENNA, Austria – April 2021: An analysis published by UNODC finds that for most of the ten NPS placed under international control in 2015, the number of countries reporting a substance decreased after the year of the scheduling decision. In many cases, this trend began prior to the international scheduling decision. A number of factors may influence this development including more attention being paid to individual substances during the WHO review process, more information becoming available about the risks associated with their use, national legislation preceding international control or the emergence of new substances designed to substitute those which are soon to be controlled.

Mephedrone is a notable exception. In contrast to the main downward trend, the number of countries reporting mephedrone increased from 2018 onwards. Read the full analysis in the UNODC Global SMART Update Vol. 25 “Regional diversity and the impact of scheduling on NPS trends” (April 2021).

Figure: Timeline of substances with stimulant effects placed under international control in 2015, by number of countries reporting, 2009-2019

For more information please see:

Global SMART Update 25: Regional diversity and the impact of scheduling on NPS trends

Global SMART newsclip: March 2015 - Commission on Narcotic Drugs places 10 NPS under international control