This report presents the recommendations of the WHO Expert Committee responsible for reviewing information on dependence-producing drugs, in order to assess the need for their international control. It describes the review procedures for dependence-producing substances, and considers the problems of terminology used in reporting abuse-related adverse drug reactions. It provides a critical evaluation of five psychoactive substances, as well as discussing six others, four of which were recommended for review at a future meeting.

The WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) is responsible for assessing psychoactive substances for possible control under the international drug control conventions. The ECDD reviews the therapeutic usefulness, the liability for abuse and dependence, and the public health and social harm potential of each substance under review. After the ECDD advises the Director-General of WHO as to whether to schedule or to amend the scheduling status of a substance, the Director-General will, as appropriate, communicate the recommendations to the United Nations Secretary-General. The Secretary-General communicates the advice to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), as appropriate. This report presents the recommendations of the thirty-seventh meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. The report summarizes the review of nine substances and the ECDD's recommendations for the scheduling of seven substances. The report also provides updates on ketamine and cannabis, as requested by resolutions of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. It contains updates on the work of international bodies concerned with controlled substances, as well as summaries of the follow-up discussions on recommendations made at the previous ECDD meeting, and on the discussions on criteria for assessing new psychoactive substances and on terminology.

The Forty-sixth Meeting of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) was convened from 16 to 19 October 2023 and was coordinated from the WHO headquarters in Geneva. The Forty-sixth WHO ECDD critically reviewed six new psychoactive substances: including two benzodiazepines (bromazolam, flubromazepam), one novel synthetic opioid (butonitazene), two cathinones/stimulants (3-CMC, dipentylone) and one dissociative-type substance (2-fluorodeschloroketamine). A critical review to consider international scheduling measures was undertaken for each substance so that the Expert Committee could consider whether information about these substances may justify the scheduling or a change in scheduling of a substance in the 1961 or 1971 Conventions. In addition, the Forty-sixth ECDD carried out a pre-review of nitrous oxide and carisoprodol to consider whether current information justified a critical review. This report summarizes the findings of the forty-sixth ECDD meeting.

Drug dependence-according to the 1969 W orId Health Organization definition-is 'A state, psychic and sometimes also physical, resulting from the interaction between a living organism and a drug, characte rized by behavioural and other responses that always include a com pulsion to take the drug on a continuous or periodic basis in order to experience its psychic effects, and sometimes to avoid the discomfort of its absence. Tolerance mayor may not be present. A person may be dependent on more than one drug'. The substitution of the term 'Drug Dependence' in place of the previously employed terms 'Drug Addiction' and 'Drug Habituation' was recommended by a WHO Expert Committee in 1964. It was felt that there had been ongoing confusion in the use of the terms addiction and habituation and in particular, misuse of the term addiction. In 1965 the WHO Expert Committee 'was pleased to note the generally favourable reaction to the recommendations' made in the previous year and the gradual acceptance of the new term. In general, in subsequent years the term 'Drug Dependence' has gained increasing acceptance. Yet it would seem that difficulties may arise whatever term and definition may be used (Glatt, 1974), and although by and large the newer term seems more appropriate than the older definitions, one still often comes across the term' Addiction', and this not only when discussing the matter with laymen or drug misusers themselves.

First published in 1972 this book guides the reader through the various elements behind drug dependency and addiction. Taking an objective view at the characteristics both chemical and biological, the criteria for evaluating dependency as well as the physiological effects drug dependency can have on the human body. Biological and Chemical Aspects of Drug Dependency is a useful reference for students of both medicine and psychology alike as well as for professionals in their respective fields.

Concepts of Addictive Substances and Behaviours across Time and Place presents fascinating new historical and social scientific research examining the temporal and spatial variations in the ways that addiction problems are understood and addressed in European societies. The book illustrates the changing and versatile nature of language use, of stakeholders concepts and ideas, and of the popular, professional and political discourse around addiction. The arguments that unfold concern the various cultural components invested in the ways in which the problems are viewed and addressed. A framework is presented for discussing these circumstances in view of current knowledge-based governance at a local, regional and global level. Concepts of Addictive Substances and Behaviours across Time and Place is based on research from ALICE RAP (Addiction and Lifestyles in Contemporary Europe, Reframing Addictions Project), a multidisciplinary European study of addictive substances, and behaviours in contemporary society. This is an essential resource for public health professionals, stakeholders influencing policy for addictive substances and behaviours, students, and academics looking to better understand the historical and geographical variations of addictive behaviours across in Europe and the role of stakeholder involvement in the construction of addiction prevention policy.