By Sama Marwan,
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has decided, based on WHO recommendations, to place five new psychoactive substances and one medication under international control.
According to the statement, these recommendations were developed by the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD), which consists of global experts who analyze the health risks and benefits of psychoactive substances available in global markets. The committee recommends placing substances under international control if evidence shows that their use poses a danger to public health.
Dr. Dios Mugbanjezi, WHO’s Director of Health Product Policies and Standards, stated:
“WHO was informed about these substances due to their clandestine manufacturing, which poses a serious risk to public health and society without any recognized therapeutic use.”
He added, “We are pleased that the Commission on Narcotic Drugs has fully accepted WHO’s recommendations and added these substances to the relevant schedules of the 1961 and 1971 conventions. We hope that countries and communities will remain vigilant and take necessary measures to protect vulnerable groups, especially youth, from these substances.”
Substances Added to Schedule I of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (as amended by the 1972 Protocol):
- Protonitazene-N-pyrrolidino (Protonitazepine):
- A synthetic opioid found in counterfeit pharmaceutical opioid tablets.
- Described as beige powder or colorless crystalline solid.
- Administered through smoking, inhalation, and injection.
- Causes severe harm, including death, with no known therapeutic use.
- N-pyrrolidino metonitazene (Metonitazepine):
- A synthetic opioid found as beige powder.
- Commonly injected.
- Linked to severe health risks, including fatalities.
- No known medical use.
- Etonitazepine (N-piperidinyl etonitazene):
- A synthetic opioid described as a yellowish-white crystalline solid.
- Highly potent and lethal with no therapeutic value.
- N-desethyl isototonitazene (Norizotonitazene):
- A synthetic opioid detected in counterfeit medications.
- Found in multiple overdose cases across at least two regions.
- Causes severe harm, including death, and has no recognized therapeutic use.
Substance Added to Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances:
- Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC):
- A semi-synthetic cannabinoid described as a colorless oil or sticky resin.
- Found in various cannabis-based products such as:
- THC-infused flowers and resins.
- E-liquids and vape cartridges.
- Edibles like gummies and marshmallows.
- Tinctures resembling dietary supplements.
- Evidence suggests its use poses a significant public health and social risk, necessitating international control.
Substance Added to Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances:
- Carisoprodol:
- A centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant available as a single-component medication or in combination products.
- Found in counterfeit pharmaceuticals and also sold as a white powder.
- Rising non-medical use in multiple countries has led to significant public health concerns.
Global Drug Policy and Future Monitoring
The WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) has been operating as a scientific advisory body for over 70 years, aiming to protect populations from harmful substances while ensuring the availability of psychoactive substances for medical and scientific purposes. The committee conducts scientific reviews at the request of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the only treaty-mandated body authorized to issue drug policy recommendations.
As more harmful substances continue to emerge, including clandestinely manufactured synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes, WHO member states have expressed interest in conducting further scientific evaluations of these substances. The above-mentioned decisions were announced at the 68th regular session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, held in Vienna, Austria, from March 10 to 14, 2025.
