Since 2015, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)-World Health Organization (WHO) Informal Scientific Network (ISN) has strived to bring the voice of science, as it pertains to addiction medicine, to inform critical discussions at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the policy-making body of the United Nations with prime responsibility for drug control matters1, 2.

The opioid overdose crisis represents an increasingly global challenge3, one associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality4, 5. The contours of the epidemic have been most extensively documented in North America, but serious situations are developing around the world. Meanwhile, millions of people worldwide suffer moderate to severe pain without access to opioid analgesics, despite the provisions of the international drug conventions1. For these reasons, during the CND’s 61st session, the ISN examined the opioid overdose crisis and presented a statement with recommendations for consideration of the CND. Effective public health measures are needed to maintain the delicate balance between reducing barriers to pain treatment and preventing the expansion of the opioid overdose epidemic.