INCB Learning holds training for drug regulatory authorities in Latin America
CARACAS, 8 December 2023- Under its INCB Learning capacity-building global programme, the International Narcotics Control Board held a technical training seminar for competent national authorities from Argentina, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Chile, Cuba, Nicaragua, Uruguay and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of). The training was held in Caracas, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) and was organized in collaboration with the National Anti-Drug Superintendency (SUNAD) of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to support drug control officials in implementing the international drug control conventions.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by First Vice-President of the Board César Tomás Arce Rivas, and Richard Jesús López Vargas from SUNAD as well as officials of the United Nations. During the four-day event, held from 5 to 8 December, Government officials participated in 16 sessions of training designed to expand their knowledge on the implementation of the international drug control treaties. Subjects that were covered throughout the week included the preparation of estimates and assessments of licit requirements for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, methodologies for collecting consumption data on psychotropic substances, and the control of precursor chemicals.
The training seminar was preceded by a workshop on 4 December on improving the availability of internationally controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, hosted by SUNAD. It was inaugurated by H.E. Miguel Camilo Ruiz Blanco, Chair of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Dr. César Tomás Arce Rivas, INCB First Vice-President, Mr. Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Ruben Dario Molina, Vice Minister for Multilateral Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Mr. Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation and Mr. Richard Jesús López Vargas from SUNAD. The workshop brought together participants from the national authorities of the above mentioned countries, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and civil society organizations, including the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC), with the aim of ensuring access to medicines containing internationally controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes.
Training participants completed all five INCB Learning e-modules prior to the workshop and seminar. This in-person training builds on the content of e-modules developed by INCB Learning on the international drug control framework, the control of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals, and on adequate availability. The e-modules are currently available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese and to date 1,462 officials from 154 countries and territories have enrolled in these e-modules.
The regional workshop and seminar were organized thanks to a contribution from the Russian Federation.
Building drug control capacity to ensure the adequate availability of internationally controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes is at the core of the work of INCB Learning, and key to achieving SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.