On 27 January 2026, Syria made a major step forward in addressing substance use as a public health priority, following a high-level inter-ministerial meeting in Damascus. Chaired by Dr. Musaab Alali, Minister of Health, and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the meeting brought together senior representatives from the Ministries of Health, Interior, Social Affairs and Labour, and Foreign Affairs. Discussions focused on connecting ministries in practice across prevention, community engagement, health services, referral pathways, workforce capacity, data and monitoring, and coordination, under a shared national framework led by Syrian institutions.
Central to the dialogue was Syria’s National Strategy on Substance Use (2026–2030), which provides a unified framework for action across governance and policy, health services and treatment, prevention and harm reduction, and information, monitoring and research. The strategy frames substance use primarily as a public health and social issue, promoting collaboration across sectors while upholding dignity and human rights.
Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hussein Al-Khatib emphasized that substance use represents one of Syria’s most sensitive health and social challenges, noting that long-term, coordinated solutions are needed rather than fragmented interventions. The inter-ministerial exchange highlighted the importance of clear governance, shared accountability, and phased implementation, with early priorities including integration into primary health care, workforce strengthening, improved referral and follow-up systems, expanded prevention and community engagement, and enhanced data and monitoring to guide policy and service delivery.
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, stressed that substance use is not solely a law enforcement issue but a public health challenge with broad societal impacts. She highlighted that the national strategy provides a strong foundation for translating policy into accessible, dignified services. UNODC Regional Representative Ms. Cristina Albertin also underscored the need for sustained, evidence-based, and multisectoral action rooted in national leadership, emphasizing solutions that address both demand and supply while centering health and welfare.
Alongside policy discussions, Syria has advanced practical implementation on the ground. On 20 January, the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with WHO, inaugurated the Darayya “Wellbeing Gateway” clinic at Darayya Health Centre. This clinic integrates substance use services into primary health care, offering screening, psychosocial support, referral, and follow-up in a community-based, non-stigmatizing setting. Darayya is among several clinics being established nationwide, reflecting a shift toward early access, continuity of care, and community-friendly services.
Together, the National Strategy, inter-ministerial coordination, and expansion of integrated services signal a growing momentum for a Syrian-led, public health-driven approach to substance use. This approach emphasizes protecting health and dignity while ensuring practical implementation across government systems.
