PARIS, France – May 2019: OECD launched a report on Addressing Problematic Opioid Use in OECD Countries presenting evidence on the magnitude of problematic opioid use across OECD countries. In 25 OECD countries for which data are available, the average of opioid-related deaths has increased by more than 20% in 2011-2016, with the rise most pronounced in the United States, Canada, Estonia, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, and England & Wales. Furthermore, the report highlights the opioid crisis as a complex public health issue that requires a comprehensive approach across all sectors, including health, social services, and law enforcement and identifies a set of policy actions to address the main drivers of the crisis.
Commissioned by Canada, the report was launched during a side event on the margins of the G7 meeting on May 16th in Paris. At the invitation of Canada and the OECD, UNODC was invited to speak as part of the opening panel on international efforts to address the opioid crisis. UNODC was represented by Mr. Justice Tettey, Chief of the Laboratory and Scientific Section, and Ms. Asma Fakhri, Coordinator of the UNODC Opioid Strategy, who introduced the UNODC Opioid Strategy and the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs which provides a roadmap and practical tool to support countries to predict, prevent and protect in response to the opioid crisis.
Sources: OECD (picture left) and UNODC (picture right).
For more information please see:
UNODC Opioid Strategy and UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs
Video: Ms. Asma Fakhri, Coordinator of the UNODC opioid strategy, and Mr. Justice Tettey, Chief of the Laboratory and Scientific Section at the report launch in Paris
Global SMART Update Vol. 21 “Understanding the global opioid crisis”
Current NPS Threats Volume I, March 2019
OECD Report: Addressing Problematic Opioid Use in OECD Countries