Dear colleagues,
Good morning. We are gathered today to discuss the public health response to substance use, an issue of growing urgency not just for WHO South-East Asia Region but globally.
Substance use, and substance use disorders, have major implications beyond health. They impact development, social equity, security, and human rights.
The rapidly evolving nature of drug markets—including the expansion of synthetic drugs, polydrug use, and new psychoactive substances—has added a new level of complexity to an already challenging landscape.
The estimated number of people using psychoactive substances is approximately 300 million worldwide. These widely consumed substances are far from ‘ordinary commodities’.
The widening socioeconomic vulnerabilities, humanitarian emergencies, conflicts, and economic instability are increasing exposure to substance use and its harms.
These trends demand a coordinated, evidence-based public health response that prioritizes prevention, treatment, recovery, and social reintegration at the community level.
Globally, , an estimated 64 million people are living with a drug use disorder, an increase of 13% over the last decade..
In 2023 alone, 14 million people injected drugs, increasing their risk of overdose, infectious diseases, and early death.
The burden of substance use disorders falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries, where access to prevention and treatment services remains limited.
These figures underscore the scale of the challenge and the urgency of strengthening our response.
Effective action requires integration across sectors. We must bring together public health, social services, education, and justice systems. Crucially, we must continue to move away from punitive and stigmatizing approaches, towards public health–oriented, person-centred, rights-based responses.
Prevention remains the cornerstone of any effective strategy. Evidence-based prevention must begin early, targeting children, adolescents, families, and communities. School-based, family-based, and community-based prevention programmes should be scientifically validated, culturally appropriate, and sensitive to age, gender, and local realities.
Equally important is early identification and intervention. The progression to more severe substance use disorders and long-term health consequences can be significantly reduced by strengthening screening, brief interventions, and referral pathways within primary health care. Digital health tools and community outreach also offer opportunities to expand access, particularly in underserved settings.
Treatment for substance use disorders must be accessible, affordable, and grounded in scientific evidence. A comprehensive continuum of care is essential, and particular attention must be given to individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions and other complex needs.
Stigma and discrimination continue to be major barriers to care. Policies and services must uphold human rights, dignity, and informed consent, while ensuring that services are gender-responsive and people-centred, so that no one is left behind.
Finally, sustained investment in a trained health workforce, robust data collection, surveillance, and research is critical to inform policy, monitor impact, and scale effective interventions.
Prevention and treatment are not only among the most cost-effective responses to substance use, they are also among the most humane.
We therefore urge governments and partners to invest in evidence-based public health strategies, rather than reactive or punitive measures. Together, with a balanced, compassionate, and science-driven approach, we can protect health, strengthen communities, and save lives.
Thank you.