Austria: India showcases tech-driven responses to counter drug trafficking at CND68
At the 68th Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), India hosted a key side event on advancing digital initiatives to enhance criminal justice in combatting trafficking and the non-medical use of drugs. The session focused on India’s tech-driven approach to strengthening drug law enforcement through real-time data sharing, artificial intelligence, and digital case management. Experts emphasized the importance of stronger international cooperation, intelligence sharing, and resource mobilization to effectively dismantle transnational drug networks. The high-level session was moderated by Ms. Anubha Sood, UNODC Regional Representative a.i. for South Asia, and featured H.E. Mr. Shambhu Kumaran, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Vienna, and Chair of the 68th CND, Mr. Anurag Garg, Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India, Ms. Monika Batra, Deputy Director General, NCB India, Dr. Anju Dhawan, Chief, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS and Ms. Wendy O’Brien, UNODC.
Austria: India showcases good practices in drug demand reduction at CND68
At the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND68), the Government of India hosted a side event to highlight its good practices in drug demand reduction and treatment. The session showcased India's National Action Plan and the nationwide campaign Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which has engaged 141.8 million people in efforts to prevent drug use. It also emphasized the need to scale up prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts through multi-stakeholder collaboration and policy innovation. Moderated by Ms. Anubha Sood, UNODC Representative for South Asia ad interim, the session featured H.E. Mr. Shambhu S. Kumaran, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Vienna, and Chair of CND68, Ms. Caralyn K Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Dr. Anju Dhawan, Chief, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS and Ms. Karen Peters, UNODC.
Ms. Jagjit Pavadia, INCB Member and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Estimates, presented key findings of the 2024 INCB Annual and Precursors Report at a UNODC virtual dialogue, focusing on synthetic drugs, access gaps in pain relief, and global good practices. Attended by 70+ stakeholders, the session featured senior officials from India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Narcotics Control Bureau, Department of Revenue, National Drug Dependence and Treatment Centre, AIIMS and UNODC.
30 frontline service providers from India’s northeast were trained to integrate gender-sensitive responses in harm reduction and HIV services. Through real-life case studies, legal tools, and peer collaboration, the workshop tackled stigma and gender-based violence—boosting inclusive, community-led care for those most at risk.
UNODC's Family United Programme was rolled out in Manipur with support from the Social Welfare Department and the Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA). A hands-on orientation for 39 facilitators emphasized collaboration and family-focused prevention. Officials stressed the role of strong family bonds in shielding youth from drug use and risky behaviors.
At an EU-India technical workshop on preventing violent extremism organized by the ESIWA+ initiative, UNODC showcased the RiseUp4Peace initiative—an education-based approach to build resilience in young minds. The meeting brought together 25 experts and officials to explore prevention, reintegration and enforcement as key strategies.
India: UNODC advocates education-focused responses at IIT-AIIMS dialogue on online risks
At a Roundtable hosted by IIT Delhi and AIIMS New Delhi, UNODC South Asia joined experts from technology, academia, and civil society organizations to explore ways to mitigate online gaming risks and promote safe technology use. The discussions championed a multi-sectoral approach backed by behavioral research. Chaired by Dr. Yatan Balhara (AIIMS) and Dr. Tapan Gandhi (IIT), the Roundtable highlighted the need for stronger technology and policy frameworks, along with enhanced digital literacy. UNODC shared insights from RiseUp4Peace, emphasizing the importance of education-driven responses to address vulnerabilities faced by young people.
India: UNODC champions community action at national drug prevention summit
In Chennai, UNODC South Asia participated in the National Summit on the Role of Civil Society Organizations in Drug Prevention, organized by the Vishwa Yuvak Kendra and IRDRP, to spotlight the importance of community-driven solutions. With a strong focus on empowering youth and strengthening families as key pillars of effective prevention, the summit brought together stakeholders from across sectors to foster collaborative action. The discussions underscored the need for life skills education to build resilience among young people, recognized families as vital protective factors against substance use, and called for integrated interventions to create healthier, more resilient communities.
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Our Partners
Our activities in South Asia are possible
due to the generous support of:
Canada
European Union
Germany
India
Japan
Joint UN Program Fund
Norway
Sweden
Portugal
United Kingdom
United States of America
UBRAF/UNAIDS
Government Partners:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Call for Partnerships:
Impacting Lives with Innovation
Advancing Crime Prevention, Justice and Health in South AsiaUNODC Regional Office for South Asia has developed a wide range of projects and initiatives on the following thematic areas:
-Building law enforcement capacities against drugs and organised crime
-Addressing drug use and HIV/AIDS -Enhancing multi-stakeholder responses to counter Trafficking in Persons -Engaging young people and educators on crime prevention, integrity, Global Goals and peace with educational interventions
-Promoting family skills to reduce risky behaviours among young people -Countering corruption -Addressing Gender-based Violence
-Strengthening responses to prevent and counter wildlife crime
-Countering cybercrime and promoting online safety
We seek activesupport to enable the implementation of these programs and to scale-up efforts to promote security, justice and health among vulnerable groups in South Asia. Our partnerships aim at building national and regional alliances on our mandates, which are closely linked to national, regional and global priorities as well as the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Let's join hands to enable and aid large-scale and impactful initiatives that help people lead safer and healthier lives . Your support can make all the difference!
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assists Member States in their efforts to combat illicit drugs and international crime. Over the past two decades, the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia(ROSA) has been working with governments and civil society in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, providing specialized assistance to address challenges pertaining to drugs, organised crime, security, justice and health. The commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and the rule of law is at the core of our mandate.
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Email: samarth.pathak@un.org
