Abstract: Many illicit drug markets have reached global dimensions and require control strategies on a comparable scale. In that context, there is a need to better understand these transnational markets and the manner in which they operate. The yearly World Drug Report is a contribution towards that objective. This year’s edition starts with an overview of the illicit drug situation worldwide and regionally, followed by more comprehensive discussions and statistical trends for the key transnational drug markets, namely opium/heroin, coca/cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants and cannabis.

Abstract: Illicit drug markets have global dimensions and require coordinated responses on a comparable scale. In this context, the World Drug Report aims to improve understanding of the illicit drug problem and contribute to more international cooperation for countering it. This year’s edition begins with an overview of recent trends and the current situation in terms of production, trafficking and consumption and the consequences of illicit drug use in terms of treatment, drug-related diseases and drug-related deaths. The second chapter presents a long-term perspective: it looks at the main characteristics of the contemporary drug problem, the ways it has changed over the last few decades, the driving factors that shaped this evolution, and the directions it is likely to take in the future. The Report is considerably shorter than previous editions, and the Statistical Annex is now published electronically on a CD-ROM, as well as the UNODC website: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/WDR-2012.html

Abstract: This guide is developed for anybody, who is interested in developing, adapting and implementing an evidence-based family skills training programme. The guide offers background information of scientific evidence and lists 12 key principles to keep in mind when using evidence-based family skills training programmes. In addition, the guide includes cultural adaptation guidelines to advice those who are planning to implement an existing programme, but have concerns about its suitability for their cultural context and language. The guide also provides practical advice on training of staff, recruitment of families, and finally on monitoring and evaluation.

Abstract: UNODC launched the Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme in September 2008. The Programme seeks to enhance the capacity of Member States and authorities in priority regions, to generate, manage, analyse and report synthetic drug information, and to apply this scientific evidence-based knowledge to design the policies and programmes. The Global SMART Programme is being implemented in a gradual phased manner, with East Asia being the first focus priority region. Operations in Latin America started in 2011. This report is the first global situation assessment on new psychoactive substances put forward under the Global SMART Programme and pursuant to Commission on Narcotic Drugs Resolution 55/1 on “Promoting international cooperation in responding to the challenges posed by new psychoactive substances”, which requested the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to provide an update to its 2011 report entitled “Synthetic cannabinoids in herbal products”, addressing a wider range of new psychoactive substances, in addition to synthetic cannabinoids, and to take into consideration the creation of a compilation of new psychoactive substances encountered by Member States, to serve as an early warning advisory. It constitutes the first step in providing consolidated up to-date analysis, based primarily on the information shared by Member States and the International ollaborative Exercise network of drug analysis laboratories. It is hoped that the information on new psychoactive substances presented in this report will make a practical contribution to addressing the significant threat posed by the manufacture, trafficking and use of these substances throughout the world, and place policymakers in a better position to evaluate the drug situation, and to make informed decisions on intervention and prevention strategies. This report provides an overview of the situation throughout the world. It outlines the emergence of different groups of new psychoactive substances in the regions and highlights several key issues associated with these substances, including reported adverse effects associated with their use, the challenges for the identification of these substances and their subsequent control through legislation. While the information presented points towards increasing efforts by the countries to address the NPS problem, it also highlights the need for continued and joint efforts, both at the national as well as regional levels. It is hoped that this report will contribute to a better understanding of the NPS problem and in developing effective strategies to address it.