President of the International Narcotics Control Board delivers key note plenary lecture at the 16th International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) World Congress, 2014, in Yokohama, Japan
The 16th International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) World Congress, met in Yokahoma, Japan, from 2 to 6 October 2014. Over 500 researchers, addiction medicine specialist, clinicians and experts from over 50 countries met for 5 days to focus on the topic of "ADDICTION: Issues for the Next Decade." Dr. Naidoo's presentation covered issues related to the implementation of the international drug control conventions and discussed the need in the convention to ensure the availability of drugs that are under international control for medical and scientific use and the obstacles and challenges faced by the international community to ensure adequate availability. At the same time the conventions also ask for preventing diversion and abuse. The President highlighted main issues related to drug control globally and particularly in South East Asia, mentioning the emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) as a major concern.
Taking advantage of his presence in Japan, the President of the Board also held consultations with senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.