Conapred launches new National Drug Policy focused on prevention and treatment

Panama has officially launched its new National Drug Policy, a comprehensive strategy developed with input from 14 government and non-governmental institutions. The policy, spearheaded by the National Commission for the Study and Prevention of Drug-Related Crimes (Conapred), aims to establish a unified state response to the complex issue of drug use and trafficking.

Luis Carlos Gómez, the Attorney General of the Nation, highlighted that the new policy provides a cohesive framework, aligning the diverse strategies of various institutions under a single state mandate. This replaces a previous roadmap with more defined rules and tools. Conapred itself is composed of representatives from ministries, specialized children's and adolescent courts, among others, ensuring broad institutional representation.

A key focus of the policy is the enhancement of early warning systems. This initiative seeks to identify emerging psychoactive substances and develop rapid response mechanisms to mitigate their impact. The strategy also prioritizes scientifically-based monitoring to bolster efforts in prevention, treatment, and control of both drug consumption and trafficking. To date, Panamanian authorities have seized 174 tons of drugs and are pursuing over 470 international drug trafficking cases.

Conapred serves as the state's technical-administrative body responsible for studying and implementing measures to prevent illicit drug-related activities. Its mandate includes promoting actions for the care, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of individuals affected by drug-related behaviors. The launch of this policy signifies Panama's commitment to a coordinated and evidence-based approach to tackling the national drug problem.

“

esta nueva política permite alinear sus diferentes estrategias bajo un mismo marco estatal.