UNODC World Drug Report 2026 Highlights Rapidly Transforming Drug Markets, as UNODC Iraq Launches Specialized Counter-Narcotics Training

Marking World Drug Day, and in parallel with the global launch of the UNODC World Drug Report 2026, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iraq has launched a specialized training programme for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances to strengthen law enforcement capacities in counter-narcotics.

At a time when the global drug landscape is evolving rapidly, drug traffickers are exploiting technologies and global instability to introduce novel drugs, experiment with different trade routes and methods, and aggressively push into new markets. 

“Drug traffickers continue to innovate, raising the number of new psychoactive substances on the global market to 755 in 2024, out of which 118 were identified for the first time.” (UNODC World Drug Report, 2026). 

More people use drugs today than at any point in history. Over 6% of the global population between 15 and 64 use illicit substances, which is 34% more than a decade ago.

In this context, UNODC launched the specialized training programme for law enforcement officers under the General Directorate on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, with the aim of strengthening their operational capacities, notably their detection and special investigative skills, to enable them to effectively combat illicit drug trafficking. The training programme is implemented under the UNODC project “Supporting the Iraqi Authorities in the Fight against Drug Production and Trafficking”, with thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Canada. The project contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029 by strengthening national institutions and their efforts to address drug trafficking and organized crime through partnership with the Government of Iraq.

Iraq has demonstrated strong commitment and tangible progress in addressing drug-related challenges in recent years, particularly following the adoption by the Government of Iraq, at the end of 2024, of the "National Strategy to Combat Drugs in Iraq (2025–2030)", the implementation of which is undertaken by 33 ministries and security entities, as well as several governmental and non-governmental institutions. The Ministry of Interior, through the General Directorate on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, has taken significant steps to strengthen operational capacities, invest in the professional development of its personnel, enhance inter-agency coordination and promote active information and intelligence sharing with regional and international counterparts. These efforts had an impact in achieving distinguished accomplishments in the field of counter-narcotics at both the national and international levels. These efforts reflect a clear and sustained institutional commitment to tackling drug trafficking and organized crime, further reinforced through its partnership with UNODC in Iraq. 

Through this collaboration, UNODC continues to work closely with Iraqi authorities on capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing, contributing to a coordinated, evidence-based and effective response to evolving drug-related threats while safeguarding communities and strengthening national security.