12th March 2025
The 2025 Informal Scientific Network (ISN) meeting, held on the margins of the 68th Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), brought together over 30 high-level scientists from around the globe to address the critical need for improving research and data for substance use prevention and treatment. With 292 million people using drugs worldwide in 2022, and only 1 in 11 people with drug use disorders having access to treatment, the meeting underscored the urgency of bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice.
Following two online sessions on 24 February 2025 and 3 March 2025, ISN Members reconvened on 10 March 2025 to lay the groundwork by reviewing, sharing, and assessing the latest scientific findings related to the improvement of research and data for substance use prevention and treatment. Another goal was to develop concrete recommendations based on the discussions that emerged at the first two gatherings.
The event was opened by Dr Justice Tettey, Chief, Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch (DLSSB); Ms Anja Busse, Unit Head, Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (ADA), Department of Mental Health and Substance Use; and Dr Rakesh Lal, 2025 ISN Chair and Principal Consultant, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital.
In his opening remarks, Dr Tettey emphasised the critical importance of accurate, timely, and comprehensive data in addressing the evolving landscape of substance use, particularly with the emergence of new psychoactive substances. He highlighted UNODC initiatives, such as #ScaleUp and CHAMPS, which aim to strengthen research on scalable responses for stimulant use disorder treatment and create prevention systems, respectively.
Dr Lal, as 2025 ISN Chair, welcomed participants and reflected on the progress made during the previous sessions. He also expressed his gratitude to the participants for their dedication and collaborative spirit, which he described as “truly inspiring.” He underlined the importance of finalising a concise and impactful statement ready to present at the plenary session of the 68th Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
The ISN recommendations developed over the course of the three meetings highlighted the need to strengthen information systems at all levels by standardising methodologies, harmonising indicators, and using culturally responsive and innovative tools. They noted the need to improve, use, and share routinely collected data, particularly sex- and age-disaggregated data, to prioritise populations with special needs and those in vulnerable situations.
The recommendations also called for enhancing research capacity to evaluate program safety and effectiveness, with a focus on meaningful outcomes and cost-effectiveness analyses. Finally, ISN members stressed the importance of disseminating research findings and implementing accessible, affordable, and sustainable interventions, especially for hard-to-reach populations, through collaborations with civil society and affected communities.
This call for action was then presented at the CND Plenary on 12 March 2025, urging UN Member States to strengthen their efforts in establishing and enhancing drug use information systems, ensuring that data becomes a valuable resource for informed decision-making.
Echoing Dr Tettey: “Quality data is essential to transform information into actionable insights for effective substance use prevention and substance use disorder treatment and care – ultimately ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Further reading:
2025 ISN Statement Recording at CND Plenary Session
UNODC-WHO Informal Scientific Network Brochure
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