THE United States Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, has said synthetic drugs represent a grave and growing risk to the health and safety of Americans and people around the world.
In a statement on Friday, Blinken said illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are involved in more deaths of American adults under 50 than any other cause.
“Other countries face challenges from dangerous synthetic drugs including tramadol, methamphetamine, captagon, MDMA, and ketamine. Recognising the urgent need for collective action, the United States is rallying the international community to address this pressing challenge head-on,” he said.
He added that on July 7, 2023, he would convene and host a virtual ministerial meeting of dozens of countries and international organisations to launch a Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.
This coalition, he said, seeks to unite countries worldwide to prevent the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs, identify emerging drug trends, and respond effectively to their public health impacts.
“Following the establishment of the Global Coalition, the United States will engage in consultations with participating countries to prioritize specific, concrete actions to address synthetic drug threats. Through specialized working groups, we will develop innovative solutions, drive national initiatives, and elevate the need to address synthetic drugs as a shared global priority. The Global Coalition plans to reconvene on the margins of the 78th UN General Assembly and the March 2024 UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
These gatherings will provide critical platforms to share progress and achievements with a wider audience and facilitate the advancement of international drug policy.
“The United States wishes to engage with all countries concerned about the public health and security risks associated with synthetic drugs. We encourage partners to join this coalition and contribute to building a safer world,” Blinken said.
