Thom Browne’s recent visit to Berlin, CEO of the Colombo Plan, marked a significant milestone in the global fight against new psychoactive substances (NPS) and synthetic opioids, which pose an increasing threat to global public health. This event, organized by C4 Recovery Foundation, C4 Consulting, and the Knowmad Institut, all members of the Rome Consensus 2.0 alliance, strengthened international collaboration in addressing 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 posed by 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 stronger than fentanyl. These compounds have already caused numerous deaths in Europe, a problem that threatens to spread rapidly.
Browne’s message was clear: a coordinated global response is urgently needed to prevent a public health crisis of unimaginable proportions. 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 key stakeholders. During this event, Browne provided an in-depth analysis of synthetic opioids mixed with benzodiazepines, compounds that increase the risk of overdose and reduce the effectiveness of naloxone, a crucial tool for saving lives during overdoses.
Participants discussed the need for closer collaboration between countries and organizations to develop more humane and effective drug policies, rooted in science and human rights.
Exchange of Experiences: Meeting with the German Federal Drug Commissioner
Later, Browne and 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 possible areas of cooperation were discussed to exchange data and best practices among nations.
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, including the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, the Ambassador of Mexico, and the Military Attaché of Paraguay, were in attendance. This event provided 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, the Knowmad Institut, and other key players, are working to develop strategies based on public health and human rights, prioritizing overdose prevention and the use of tools such as naloxone.
International collaboration is essential to protect the most vulnerable communities and promote an approach rooted in science and human dignity.