Melanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in a summit of the Global Coalition hosted by US President Joe Biden in New York City to address Synthetic Drug Threats on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The need to continue driving international action to disrupt the illegal production, distribution, trafficking, and sale of synthetic drugs was highlighted by the event following the successful work of the Coalition over the past year to detect emerging drug threats and promote public health interventions and prevention services.

Highlighting Canada’s efforts to combat one of the most serious and deadly public health crises, Joly said that her country is focused on providing timely access to the prevention, harm reduction, treatment, or recovery services and supports they need, when and where they need them.

Canada's $25 billion investment, noted Joly, in critical health priorities, provides increasing access to mental health and substance use services and supports.

Welcoming the wide range of initiatives highlighted by the Coalition, Joly encouraged countries to commit together to the reduction of threats to public health and public security posed by synthetic drugs.

Pledging to continue domestic efforts to address the illegally manufactured and powerful synthetic drug supply that is driving the overdose crisis, Joly said that strengthening multilateral efforts to address the increasing threats of synthetic drugs and organized crime.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)