The recent visit of Thom Browne, CEO of the Colombo Plan, to Berlin marked a milestone in the fight against new psychoactive substances (NPS) and synthetic opioids, whose devastating impact on global public health cannot be ignored. Organized by the C4 Recovery Foundation, C4 Consulting, and the Knowmad Institut, members of the Rome Consensus 2.0, this visit strengthened international collaboration to confront a crisis that is affecting countries worldwide.
A Historic Event: October 8, 2024
During the German Federal Drug Commissioner’s Conference, Thom Browne was one of the keynote speakers in the international segment, addressing the growing threat of synthetic opioids. Between 2018 and 2022, 137 new synthetic compounds were discovered in the United States, including opioids as potent as nitazenes, which can be between 1.5 and 20 times more potent than fentanyl. These compounds have caused dozens of deaths in Europe, a problem that threatens to spread rapidly.
Browne’s message was clear: a coordinated global response is needed to prevent a public health crisis of incalculable magnitude. At the event, the Drug Commissioners of Germany and Austria, along with the Director General of the European Drug Agency (EUDA), joined this urgent call, reaffirming their commitment to joint action.
Parliamentary Breakfast and Strategic Dialogue: October 9, 2024
The following day, a parliamentary breakfast organized by C4 Consulting and the Knowmad Institut at the German Parliamentary Society brought together parliamentarians, representatives from the Association of Probation Officers, the German Harm Reduction Network (Akzept), Vista Berlin, and other stakeholders. During this event, Browne delved into the analysis of synthetic opioids mixed with benzodiazepines, compounds that increase the risk of overdose and reduce the effectiveness of naloxone, a crucial tool in saving lives during overdoses.
Participants discussed the need for collaboration between countries and organizations to develop more humane and effective drug policies, based on science and human rights.
Exchange of Experiences: Meeting with the German Federal Drug Commissioner
Later, Browne, along with the organizers, met with the team of the German Federal Drug Commissioner at the Ministry of Health. This meeting provided an opportunity to share experiences on how different countries are addressing the synthetic opioid crisis. Browne highlighted the growing threat of compounds like fentanyl and metonitazenes, and potential areas of cooperation were discussed to exchange data and best practices between countries.
Diplomacy in Action: Honorary Dinner
The visit concluded with an honorary dinner for Thom Browne, organized by C4 Consulting, TASC, and the Knowmad Institut. Diplomats such as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, the Ambassador of Mexico, and the Military Attaché of Paraguay attended the dinner. This event was a key opportunity to strengthen diplomatic relations and promote international cooperation in the fight against NPS.
The Call to Action
Thom Browne’s visit to Berlin left a clear message: the synthetic drug crisis requires immediate and coordinated action. The Rome Consensus 2.0 Alliance, along with organizations like C4 Recovery, Knowmad Institut, and other key players, are working to develop strategies based on public health and human rights, prioritizing overdose prevention and using tools like naloxone.
International collaboration is essential to protect the most vulnerable communities and promote an approach based on science and human dignity.
