INCB President. I am pleased to be with you today and have this dialogue with civil society.

Question 1: How does the INCB facilitate cooperation and information exchange between national authorities and civil society organizations to support implementation of the international drug control conventions?

Submitted by: Badan Kerjasama Sosial Usaha Pembinaan Warga Tama (BERSAMA)

INCB President. The INCB coordinates with health authorities on psychotropics. For precursors we are in touch with law enforcement authorities to avoid diversion for the illicit production of drugs. In that instance, information is mostly confidential, and LE authorities won’t share information with civil society. For psychotropics, there is more room for sharing information with civil society. One of the key mandates of the conventions is to ensure access to controlled medicines to people in need. We discuss this with Member States and civil society. We also meet with civil society during country visits.

Question 2: How can NGOs contribute to the INCB’s understanding of how the conventions are implemented on the ground?

Submitted by: Pakistan Youth Organization

INCB President. We meet with NGOs during our missions. If appropriate we also inform authorities on options to address identified issues. Over the past 6 years we have held regular contributions with NGOs. We request that NGOs focus their contributions on chapter 1 of our annual report. This year, we asked the VNGOC to focus on the emergence of NPS, and in particular prevention and treatment challenges.

Question 3: Access to affordable, evidence-based drug dependence treatment and essential controlled medicines remains limited in many countries, especially in the global South. What steps can the INCB take to help countries like mine balance control with access?

Efforts to Save Children and Empower Women (ESCEW), Slum Child Foundation; Save the Climat

INCB President. This is a very important question. The INCB remains strongly committed to controlled medicines. This also includes evidence based drug dependence treatment. While the drug control treaties stress the importance of ensuring availability, countries have focused predominantly on avoiding diversion. This requires awareness raising, trainings, and a legal framework that does not generate fear of prescription. The INCB giving visibility to this issue has shaped the international debate, including in the UNGASS outcome document. We will continue to promote this issue and support Member States as they continue to seek to achieve this goal.

Question 4: Considering evolving national reforms, how does the INCB intend to further clarify the distinction between illicit trafficking and legitimate medical practices, to prevent barriers to patient access to controlled medicines?

Cannabis Cura Sicilia Social Club Aps in coordination with ENCOD

INCB President. The drug conventions have always had a dual objective: prevent demand and trafficking, while ensuring access for medical and scientific purposes. These two goals are complementary. The distinction is clearly stipulated in the conventions. Activities carried out within the conventions’ framework include licensing, medical prescriptions, etc. being lawful. Activities operating outside of this are not legal. There is no ambiguity in the treaties. We aim to remove administrative, legislative and practical barriers through technical dialogue with governments, guidance materials, training through the INCB learning initiative and through country missions where we encourage various regulatory systems, through our annual reports and technical publications where we consistently stress that ensuring availability is a treaty obligation. We also work in collaboration with WHO to promote evidence-based drug policies that promote health. Our focus is to support Member States to implement the conventions in a balanced manner so that patients are not impacted by policies designed to avoid diversion.

Question 5: Given the increasing circulation of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances in the Middle East, how is the INCB supporting Member States in enhancing early warning mechanisms and regulatory capacities?

Submitted by: The Jordan Anti Drugs Society

INCB President. In response to emerging synthetic drugs and NPS, as well as chemicals across the regions, the INCB is supporting Member States through its global rapid interdiction of dangerous substances programme. The INCB’s mandate in the 1961 Convention, includes providing state of the art trainings and expertise to States, with real time information and intelligence-led enforcement training. We provide multiagency targeted capability, and platforms for traditional law enforcement and regulatory enforcement officers. It includes IONICS, Care profilers, and elite systems for drug seizures, and the recently released AI platform using open source intelligence for the disruption of online markets. We enhance operations based on integrated cybercommunications centres. We convert real-time signals into products, including threat assessments and other tools. This fits timely into policy responses to emerging dangerous substances. To ensure sustained and relevant support, we have GRITS technical support officers, including in the Middle East in Egypt. It includes access to INCB annual platforms, involves focal points such as for backtracking investigations. This also includes globalised trainings for law enforcement officers. We have encouraged competent authorities to  enable technical support, peer exchange and sharing of experiences, the creation of networks, etc. Only GRITS facilitates structured engagement with public/private engagement to address exploitation by drug traffickers.

Question 6: In light of the increasing use of the death penalty for drug offences worldwide, how does INCB intend to support Member States in implementing its recommendation to abolish capital punishment for drug-related offences and end compulsory detention centers?

Submitted by: Ágora

INCB President. I want to recall that the drug control treaties do not require or encourage the use of the death penalty for drug offences. We have also raised concerns over compulsory drug detention centres where people are confined without due process or access to treatment. This is done through sustained dialogue with governments. We encourage proportionate responses prioritising public health and rehab. Through our annual reports we provide normative guidance and remind states that drug dependence is a health condition that requires treatment and social support, not punishment. In 2024, we reiterated our position that the conventions explicitly require that sanctions are adequate and proportionate and take into account the gravity of the offence and degree of responsibility of the offender. In the same report, we reiterated our call for MS who have not done so to shift efforts from compulsory and involuntary treatment towards voluntary treatment and rehab, and to consider alternatives for those convicted of drug use offences. Third, we collaborate closely with UN human rights mechanisms, UNODC and other parties to provide alternatives, voluntary and community-based responses. However, bear in mind that the INCB is not an enforcement body. Our influence lies in engagement and compliance with treaty obligations. Effective drug control must respect human dignity and the rule of law. Public health, proportionality and human rights – these are integral to the implementation of the conventions.

Question 7: Will INCB consider integrating measurable indicators related to prevention and child protection into its treaty compliance dialogue?

Submitted by: Drug Free America Foundation, Inc.

INCB President. Prevention, including for young people, is firmly embedded in the conventions. The 1988 Convention calls for measures to prevent human suffering and address the root causes of trafficking. While children are not named specifically in each provision, the protection from drug abuse clearly includes them and other vulnerable populations. The INCB has addressed this issue substantially in its 2019 Annual Report focusing on improving prevention and treatment services for children and young people. Our role is to help the implementation of the conventions. We are not primarily a statistical agency. but dialogues increasingly rely on data and evidence. We cooperate closely with UNODC, WHO, OHCHR and other partners in this regard.

Question 8: What specific steps can the INCB undertake to support Member States in addressing inconsistencies between the international drug control regime and Indigenous Peoples’ rights?

Submitted by: International Drug Policy Consortium

INCB President. Implementing the conventions in a way that protects the rights of Indigenous peoples is complex. Some substances are subject to strict international control, such as the coca leaf. It’s classified in schedule I and its use is limited to medical and scientific purposes. State Parties were obliged to phase out its traditional use within 25 years. Yet, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia allow for coca chewing while preventing diversion for cocaine production. Bolivia’s re-accession to the convention with a specific reservation on coca chewing shows that countries can reconcile both. The INCB’s role is not to review the conventions, but to ensure their balanced implementation based on constitutional provisions of countries. We engage in dialogue with governments, we exchange good practices. We engage with civil society to ensure informed discussion. Where structural inconsistencies arise, the conventions provide provisions for state to state dialogue. We promote faithful interpretation that upholds both the objectives of drug control and the rights, health and dignity of Indigenous Peoples.

Question 9: Is the use of counter-terrorism powers to justify lethal force in anti-drug operations compatible with the international drug conventions, and what action is the INCB taking to address this trend?

Submitted by: Amnesty International

INCB President. This question was partially answered by Mr. Brandolino. This is n important issue. The Board has consistently emphasised that drug conventions allow states to counter drug trafficking but not the use of lethal force outside of criminal justice framework. Responses should always be proportional, respect due process and fair trial guarantees and human rights. The use of military powers and the fight against terrorism to justify the lethal use of force is problematic. Drug control efforts should be achieved through lawful and proportionate measures. The INCB engages through dialogue and technical advice with States when issues as these arise. At the end of the day, what matters is how forceful a response appears, but whether it produces lasting results. Measures should be based on the rule of law. Loss of life or skipped due process not only raise serious concerns, they move away from the spirit and objectives of the conventions. Effective drug control and respect for legal safeguards must go hand in hand.

Question 10: What can the INCB do to better engage health professionals and incorporate their expertise in decision-making?

Submitted by: International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care

INCB President. the aim of the conventions is to ensure the health and welfare, and ensure access the availability of controlled medicines while preventing their diversion. Through dialogue we emphasise always the need for better coordination. This is not only law enforcement authorities but also health and social authorities that should be part of drug control. The experience of health professionals should be taken into account in the development of drug policies. As INCB, we advocate for this, and whenever we talk to national leaders, we make this point clear. We always try.

Question 11: How does the Board plan to encourage Member States to expand access to opioid agonist treatment as a medically essential intervention?

Submitted by: Open Society Institute (OSI)

INCB President. Within its mandate to monitor the international drug control treaties, the INCB continues to promote access to treatment. This includes access to OAT, including during side events and monitoring missions to member states.

Question 12: How does INCB plan to support Member States in operationalizing truly integrated, multi-pillar drug strategies that give equal weight to prevention, treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and proportionate law enforcement?

Submitted by : ARTM Macau and Association Proyecto Hombre

INCB President. The conventions reflect a balanced approach, requiring states to prevent drug trafficking, and provide treatment, rehab and social reintegration. The legal foundation for a multi pillar strategy is already there. We support States through dialogue where we encourage policies integrating prevention, treatment, recovery and proportionate law enforcement. Through our annual reports and thematic chapters, we highlight good practices and evidence based approaches, including alternatives to prison for people with drug use disorders. We work closely with UNODC, WHO, Interpol, human rights bodies and other partners who provide technical expertise for evidence based treatment. We remind governments that supply reduction alone is not sufficient. Sustainable results require demand reduction. Proportionate responses must coexist with accessible services and community-based care.

Question 13: Does the INCB agree with the interpretation that coca leaf should be scheduled based on convertibility principles, so far only sued for precursor chemicals?

Submitted by: Transnational Institute

INCB President. The coca leaf review is a matter of the WHO and CND. The Board participates as an observer and does not determine scheduling outcomes. We are aware that discussions refer to convertibility. However, coca leaf is currently in schedule I of the convention. Any change must follow the established scientific and inter-governmental process. The cocaine production and trafficking continues to pose serious challenges. If any modification of the international status of the coca leaf were to be considered, it would be essential to carefully assess how effective safeguards against diversion would be maintained.

Question 14: How can the INCB reconcile its research mandate with practices that limit study of emerging substances?

Submitted by: Youth RISE

INCB President. I want to refer to my response for the prior question. Our role is to monitor the implementation of the conventions. They explicitly allow the use of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes. Therefore, facilitating legitimate research is part of the design of the conventions. Barriers usually related to legislative barriers, not the treaties themselves. Authorisation and reporting systems for research must be efficient, proportionate and not create unnecessary barriers. At the same time, diversion must be prevented. We need a balanced approach, consistent with the conventions.

Question 15: How is the INCB planning to further increase transparency and accountability in its processes in the future?

Submitted by: ENCOD

INCB President. There is always room for improved transparency. But the INCB is not an intergovernmental body. We are 13 independent experts elected by ECOSOC to serve in our personal capacity. The framework in which we operate is established in the single convention, not by the Board. In many instances, confidentiality is essential, it allows frank dialogue and protects civil society actors who may face consequences for engaging with us. We strengthen transparency through reporting, technical publications and dialogues such as this one. We extend outreach and technical assistance programmes, although continued field engagement depends on resources. Transparency and effective monitoring are not contradictory. Our aim is to preserve trust, independence and constructive engagement, while we improve understanding of our work.

Question 16: Regulated cannabis and psychedelic access for Veterans have shown to demonstrably reduce suicide risk, opioid dependence, and improve quality of life. Given the INCB’s treaty mandate to support medical and scientific use of controlled substances, how does the Board intend to support Member States looking to expand regulated access?

Submitted by: Veterans Action Council

INCB President. The role of the Board in deciding the level of controlled substances is limited. WHO has the responsibility to review substances and provide recommendations to the CND which votes on scheduling. The Board assists countries in the implementation of these decisions, including needs for medical and scientific purposes, especially for particular groups such as veterans.