HONLEA meeting outcomes presented in Vienna

The outcome of the 40th Meeting of the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific (HONLEA), which was hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka in Colombo, was presented at the Commission of Narcotic Drugs meeting held in Vienna on 16th March by Professor Ravindra Fernando, Chairman, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

The meeting held from October 24 to 27 last year benefitted from the participation of over 150 delegates from the law enforcement, foreign affairs and health sectors who discussed the drug situation in the region.

The experts held lively and productive discussions and adopted many recommendations on the following topics: 1) New developments in national and regional responses to the evolving threat posed by amphetamine- type stimulants and new psychoactive substances; 2) Measures to ensure comprehensive and balanced efforts at the national level to reduce drug demand; 3) Best practices in preventing and coun

tering drug-related money- laundering and illicit financial flows, and measures to improve international cooperation in that regard