Committees

GA Committees
ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, REGIONAL, OR SPECIALIZED COUNCILS
CRISIS COMMITTEES

​Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

​Chairs: Lillian Day & Aakrithi Ram
Email: [email protected] & [email protected]

Topic A: Combating Transnational Drug Networks
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that over 320 billion dollars were generated by the illicit global drug trade in 2023 alone. This money is used to fund organized crime and violence. Harmful synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl, are spreading more and more. Drug traffickers use corruption, weak border security, and digital platforms like darknet markets to stay ahead of enforcement attempts. While many governments have tried to combat these networks militarily, there has been concern that this often leads to mass incarcerations, human rights violations, and unnecessary displacement, especially in the southern hemisphere. In the meantime, over 296 million people globally used drugs in 2021. This is a 23% increase from the 2010s and shows the need to address the whole problem, not just the supply - the demand for these drugs must also be considered. This session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) must evaluate the effectiveness of current international treaties, figure out how to expand public health interventions, expand education programs, and consider new technological methods to increase global data sharing. Delegates must create new, informed, and equitable solutions to dismantle these networks and promote a transnational approach.

Topic B: Enhancing Recovery Services with Drug Policy and Treatment
Despite an ever-growing tech industry worldwide and increased focus on science and research, drug use disorders continue to challenge public health, social stability, and economic development. Even with growing awareness, only 1 in 11 people worldwide with drug use disorders receive the treatment they need. Recovery services are often fragmented or inaccessible, especially in low-resource settings. In 2024, the UNODC reported major improvements in expanding evidence-based, ethical, and culturally sensitive treatment worldwide. However, gaps persist, particularly in integrating care into broader health and social systems, due in part to the persistent stigma surrounding narcotic drug use. Reforming drug policies to prioritize health over punishment, such as diverting individuals from incarceration to treatment, is essential, and global cooperation is imperative to share research, strengthen treatment infrastructure, and scale successful programs. This Commission on Narcotic Drugs will explore how nations can enhance recovery services by reforming outdated drug laws, leveraging modern technology to expand current care systems, and fostering international collaboration to build sustainable, inclusive, evidence-based recovery systems that ensure no one is left behind.