The activities of authorised agencies such as police, customs, border services, and investigative bodies to enforce drug control laws and address criminal activities related to the production, trafficking, and distribution of illicit substances. These activities may include investigations, intelligence gathering, interdiction, and collaboration with national and international partners to disrupt organised crime networks. Law enforcement plays an important role in protecting public safety and maintaining the rule of law, and is most effective when coordinated with broader public health, prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts as part of a balanced and comprehensive response to substance use.
Law Enforcement
The Global SMART Programme — A Strategic Response to the Synthetic Drug Problem, United Nations, New York
The global market for synthetic drugs has grown rapidly in recent years, with amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and new psychoactive substances (NPS) becoming a significant concern worldwide. ATS, which include amphetamine, methamphetamine...
The Future of Drug Supply Monitoring in Europe
Understanding drug markets in Europe requires monitoring both supply and demand. Traditionally, this has relied on data such as drug seizures, prices, purity and offences. However, because drug markets operate illicitly, gathering and...
UNODC-WCO (2015), Container Control Programme — Annual Report
In 2015, the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) expanded its reach with new Port Control Units (PCUs) across Asia and Europe, including in Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam, as well...
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, United Nations, New York
The International Narcotics Control Board’s 2015 report on precursors highlights global efforts to stop chemicals being diverted into the illicit manufacture of drugs. It points to successes achieved through international cooperation...
Council of the European Union (2013b), EU-Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs (2014–2020)
The European Union and Central Asian countries have joined forces through the EU–Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs 2014–2020, building on earlier cooperation dating back to 2002. This plan recognises the shared challenges posed by drug...
Drug Supply Reduction: An Overview Of EU Policies And Measures
This EMCDDA paper introduces the European Union’s approach to drug supply reduction, explaining how policies, structures, and actions are designed to disrupt drug markets and limit the availability of illicit substances. It highlights the...
Global Launch – Universal Nurses Addiction Curriculum (UNAC)
On June 26, 2025, the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction (ICUDDR) marked an important milestone with the global launch of the Universal Nurses Addiction Curriculum (UNAC). This initiative, supported by the U...
Interventions to reduce harms related to drug use among people who experience incarceration: systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background: Mortality, suicide, self-harm, and substance use are elevated among people who are incarcerated. There is a wide range of heterogeneous interventions aimed at reducing these harms in this population. Previous reviews...
Council of the European Union (2010), Draft Council Conclusions on the Creation and Implementation of an EU Policy Cycle for Organised and Serious International Crime
In 2010, the EU introduced a new policy cycle to strengthen the fight against organised and serious international crime. This cycle provides a structured way for Member States to work together, set shared priorities, and respond to cross...
Toolkit on Stakeholder Engagement: Implementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC)
The UNODC has developed a Toolkit designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society, academia, and the private sector to support the implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and its Protocols. The...