UNODC Brings Together Key Partners to Strengthen Technical Dialogue on the World Drug Problem

Mexico City, July 27, 2026. The rapid evolution of the world drug problem poses new challenges for States. The expansion of synthetic drug markets, the emergence of new psychoactive substances, changing trafficking routes and methods, and the social impacts associated with drug use require increasingly comprehensive, coordinated, and evidence-based responses

With this objective, and in the context of the launch of the World Drug Report 2026, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Mexico convened representatives of the Government of Mexico, international organizations, diplomatic missions, academia, civil society organizations, and the private sector for a technical dialogue on emerging trends in the world drug problem and their implications for Mexico. In addition to presenting the Report, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, reflect jointly, and identify opportunities to strengthen an evidence-based cooperation agenda.

Opening the session, Ms. Sylvia Paola Mendoza, Coordinator for Multidimensional Security, Assessed Contributions and Candidacies at the Directorate-General for the United Nations (DGONU) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), welcomed the presentation of the Report and highlighted the importance of reliable information to strengthen international cooperation and guide national priorities in addressing emerging risks related to the world drug problem.

Ms. Stacy de la Torre, Head of Office of UNODC in Mexico, emphasized that the World Drug Report is the United Nations system’s primary source of information on the evolution of this phenomenon and represents a strategic tool for anticipating risks, understanding emerging dynamics, and strengthening increasingly effective national responses.

The discussion began with a presentation by Ms. Adriana Oropeza, Head of the UNODC–INEGI Center of Excellence, who used the findings of the World Drug Report 2026 as a starting point for reflecting on the rapid transformation of the world drug problem. She highlighted the growing sophistication of illicit markets, uncertainty regarding the composition of substances, the transition toward synthetic opioids, changes in trafficking routes, and the role of technology throughout the market chain, underscoring the importance of strengthening early warning systems and generating timely information to anticipate risks and support decision-making.

Building on these findings, Mr. Hugo Córdoba, UNODC Mexico Drug Project Coordinator, led a joint reflection on the challenges these trends pose for Mexico. The discussion focused on evolving trafficking routes and methods, the rapid emergence of new psychoactive substances, and the social impacts associated with drug use as key elements for analyzing the capacity of prevention, public health, security, and justice institutions to respond to a constantly evolving phenomenon.

The activity fostered an open exchange among participants from the public sector, private sector, civil society organizations, and the accredited diplomatic corps in Mexico, who contrasted global trends with the realities they observe in their respective fields of work. Topics discussed included differences in patterns of drug use between Mexico’s northern and southern borders and the central region of the country; the increase in synthetic drug use; the need to strengthen services for substance use disorders; improve early warning systems; address concerns about the increasingly early age of initiation into drug use; and the existence of unregulated rehabilitation centers.

The World Drug Report 2026 is a tool for dialogue, analysis, and action. By bringing together representatives from different sectors around evidence, UNODC reaffirms its commitment to promoting spaces that strengthen cooperation and support the development of comprehensive responses to the world drug problem. The Report is available online and invites institutions, specialists, and interested stakeholders to incorporate its findings into analysis, public policy design, and cooperation initiatives aimed at addressing this constantly evolving phenomenon.

For more information, please contact:

Adriana Oropeza: adriana.oropezalliteras@un.org

Hugo Córdoba: hugo.cordobaderueda@un.org

José María Izábal Martínez: jose_maria.izabal@un.org