Ambassador Dr. Hassan Khaddour, the Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Vienna, emphasized Syria’s committed efforts in combating drug trafficking and smuggling through the adoption of specific strategies and plans.
In an official statement during the high-level meeting of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Ambassador Khaddour highlighted that “Syria, driven by its national and humanitarian responsibility and in fulfillment of its international commitments, has supported and continues to support all avenues of cooperation in the fight against drugs and psychotropic substances.
It has ratified international conventions related to drug control, remaining an active member at regional and international levels.
Syria has devised strategies for combatting and engaging in cooperation, and participates in related conferences and meetings as much as possible, both in person and virtually.”
He pointed out that for over thirteen years, Syria has suffered from a brutal terrorist war where drugs were used as weapons and a primary funding source for terrorist organizations, exploiting the political and security complexities and the geographic location of the Syrian Arab Republic to carry out their criminal activities across its borders.
Ambassador Khaddour noted that technological advancements have significantly contributed to the evolution of drug smuggling and trafficking methods, including the use of drones, indicating that Syria’s operational efforts in combating these crimes are ongoing and based on strict legislative measures against drug trafficking, smuggling, and promoting, while adopting a humanitarian approach towards addicts as patients in need of help and treatment.
He further explained that Syria has implemented a rigorous policy for the control of drug imports for legitimate purposes, along with prevention and treatment plans, overseen by the National Committee for Drug Affairs.
This committee comprises various ministries, NGOs, professional unions, civil society, and the public sector, including a media committee tasked with developing awareness programs to protect and fortify the community against drug menace.
The ambassador highlighted the Ministry of Interior’s special focus on providing the infrastructure for operational anti-drug units.
In 2022, Syria participated in the international operation Lionfish in the United Arab Emirates, organized by INTERPOL, and contributed regionally by implementing the Arab strategy against illegal drug use and participating in conferences and meetings focused on drug combat, including recent meetings in Baghdad, Cairo, and a quadrilateral meeting with Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon.
Ambassador Khaddour underscored that Syrian efforts led to the thwarting of several drug smuggling operations, the dismantling of networks, and the seizure of large quantities of drugs.
In 2023, approximately 11,331 cases were addressed, and 10,024,166 Captagon pills were confiscated, reflecting a significant increase in the quantity and quality of controlled cases.
He stressed the importance of global cooperation in addressing the escalating drug problem and the challenges Syria faces, including unilateral coercive measures and blockades that hinder effective drug combat and addiction treatment efforts, despite the war against terrorism depleting resources and capacities.
The 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, along with a mid-term review high-level meeting set by the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, commenced yesterday at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, chaired by Ambassador Philbert Johnson from Ghana, and attended by the UN General Assembly President Denis Francis, UNODC Executive Director Ambassador Ghada Waly, representatives from 140 countries, NGOs, and civil society.
