The Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme - DAP

On 10 March 2026, the Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan shared his statement at the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna through a video message.

In his remarks, he reaffirmed the Colombo Plan’s commitment to supporting Member States in addressing global drug-related challenges through drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction efforts worldwide as well as sharing outstanding activities implemented in 2025. The Colombo Plan remains committed to working closely with the international community to promote practical, evidence-based solutions that strengthen capacity building on prevention, treatment, recovery, and forensic drug analysis at the regional and global level.

🚨 Public Health Alert: Emerging Synthetic Opioid Threat

🔹 N-Propionitrile Chlorphine (Cychlorphine)
There has been an increase in fatal overdoses linked to this novel synthetic opioid, raising serious public health and safety concerns.

🔹 Benzimidazol-2-one (Orphines) Class of Opioids
An emerging class of highly potent synthetic opioids is contributing to increased mortality and morbidity worldwide. These substances may be equal to or stronger than fentanyl and can significantly increase the risk of respiratory depression and death, especially when combined with other opioids.

⚠️ Public health and public safety officials are urged to remain vigilant.

📌 Download the alert using this link: https://colombo-plan.org/public-health-alerts/

DAP Director's visit Courtesy visit to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand

On Wednesday, 24 December 2025, Ms. Oranooch Sungkhawanna, Director of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme, paid a courtesy visit to Pol. Maj. Suriya Singhakamol, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand.

The visit also provided an opportunity to explore ways to further strengthen future collaboration with the Royal Thai Government on drug control efforts in the region.

On 11 December 2025, Ms. Oranooch Sungkhawanna, Director of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP), paid a courtesy visit to the Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment (PMNIDAT) in Thailand.

She was warmly received by Dr. Sarayuth Boonchaipanichwattana, Director of PMNIDAT, and his senior team. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to exchange insights and discuss areas of mutual interest.

CPDAP extends its sincere appreciation to PMNIDAT for the warm hospitality and productive discussions, and looks forward to continued collaboration in advancing evidence-based approaches across the region.

Read More : https://colombo-plan.org/courtesy-visit-to-the-princess-mother-national-institute-on-drug-abuse-treatment-pmnidat-in-thailand/

The Colombo Plan was honoured to participate in the 3rd International Symposium on Drug-Related Studies 2025, held on 09 December in Sri Lanka.

Director of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP), Ms. Oranooch Sungkhawanna, delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session, highlighting the importance of a whole-of-society response to emerging drug challenges and reaffirming the Colombo Plan’s commitment to global drug demand reduction and capacity-building efforts. In this connection, the NDDCB Chairman presented a token of appreciation to CPDAP, for continued partnership and valuable contributions to strengthening national and regional drug control initiatives.

The event was graced by:

• Hon. Sunil Watagala, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs (Chief Guest)
• Mr. D. W. R. B. Senavirathne, Secretary, Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
• Dr. Indika Wanninayake, Chairman, NDDCB
• Representatives of partner agencies, foreign delegates, academics, and practitioners

VACANCY FOR THE POST OF IT OFFICER

Read More : https://colombo-plan.org/work-with-us/

The final day of the Regional Forensic Capacity Building for Synthetic Drug Detection and Analysis training program was held on 18 July 2025. The morning session initiated with Dr. Barry K. Logan from the Centre for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), USA providing a comprehensive recap of the training, addressing any remaining questions, and offering updates on database developments.

Later that afternoon, the official closing ceremony was held, attended by key figures including Commander (Retired) K.K.S. Kothalawala, Director General of the National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB) – Sri Lanka, Ms. Marcy Brown, South Asia Regional Director of the Bureau of International Narcotics (INL), Ms. Oranooch Sungkhawanna, Director of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (DAP), and representatives from CFSRE, Waters Corporation, and the participants.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Completion, marking the official end of the training program and celebrating the achievement of all involved.

Read More : https://colombo-plan.org/training-on-regional-forensic-capacity-building-for-synthetic-drug-detection/

On July 17, 2025, during Day 08 of the Regional Forensic Capacity Building for Synthetic Drug Detection and Analysis training program, Dr. Barry K. Logan from the Centre for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), USA, provided a comprehensive recap of the training progress over the past two weeks. He highlighted the valuable practical sessions that had been conducted and offered specific guidance for the upcoming stages of the program.

One of the key points Dr. Logan addressed was the proper handling and reuse of capillaries, emphasizing the importance of not overloading the capillary when setting the RADIAN system. The CFSRE and Waters teams also reassured participants by responding to several concerns raised regarding the capillaries and their usage.

In support of the labs, the CFSRE provided each participating country lab with a package containing approximately 200 capillaries to aid in the continuation of practical experiments.

Dr. Logan also provided important updates on the ongoing improvements to the database, encouraging participants to share their LiveID files with the CFSRE team. This would allow the team to review their data and, where necessary, add certified reference materials (CRM) to the system. The discussion then shifted to critical aspects of data management, including the processes of data transmission, downloading, and analysis within LiveID, the functionality for running reports to facilitate comprehensive data review.

Following the informative discussions, the participants proceeded with hands-on practical sessions, further familiarizing themselves with the RADIAN equipment and refining their technical skills.

Read More : https://colombo-plan.org/training-on-regional-forensic-capacity-building-for-synthetic-drug-detection/

On July 16, 2025, the participants of the Regional Forensic Capacity Building for Synthetic Drug Detection and Analysis training program continued their hands-on training with the RADIAN ASAP equipment. Expert guidance was provided by distinguished resource personnel, including Dr. Barry K. Logan and Mr. Francis Diamond from the Centre for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) in the USA, along with Dr. Ciara Pitman, Dr. Taposh Kumar, and Mr. Mark Ritchie from Waters Corporation.

The day’s sessions focused on essential aspects of forensic analysis, such as sample preparation and extraction techniques, data acquisition, including how to handle issues such as missing masses and overloads etc. Emphasis was also placed on practical skills such as understanding data transmissions, downloading data, data analysis and report generation with the LiveID software. They also delved into the complexities of fragment ions in mass spectrometry data.

Read More : https://colombo-plan.org/training-on-regional-forensic-capacity-building-for-synthetic-drug-detection/

The Colombo Plan celebrated its 74th anniversary yesterday (17 July) with Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism of Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest. We were also honored to have H.E. Julie J Chung, Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka and the incumbent President of the Colombo Plan Council, in attendance.

We are incredibly proud of the legacy we have created and look forward to many more years of impactful work!

Read More : https://colombo-plan.org/the-colombo-plan-celebrated-its-74th-anniversary/

On 15 July 2025, the official handover of the RADIAN ASAP equipment from the U.S. Government to National Narcotics Lab (NNL) of the National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB) was held marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s efforts against synthetic drug trafficking. The ceremony was attended by key figures, including Sri Lanka's Hon. Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Sunil Watagala, Ms. Jayne Howell, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Colombo, and the Colombo Plan Secretary-General H.E. Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes.

Dr. Indika Wanninayake, Chairman of the NDDCB, welcomed everyone, emphasizing its importance of the equipment and the regional training. H.E. Dr. Reyes emphasized the significance of the RADIAN ASAP equipment, noting the U.S. role as the current council president of the Colombo Plan. Ms. Howell described the equipment as a cutting-edge, life-saving tool for Sri Lanka, while Hon. Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala also stressed the need for advanced detection technology. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

In the afternoon, the participants resumed their lab sessions, engaging in hands-on training with the LiveID software and RADIAN ASAP equipment.

Read More : https://colombo-plan.org/training-on-regional-forensic-capacity-building-for-synthetic-drug-detection/

The third day of the Regional Forensic Capacity Building for Synthetic Drug Detection and Analysis for South Asia training program resumed with further sessions on Mass Spectrometry led by Mr. Francis Diamond. The content from Modules 03 and 04 continued with a deeper dive into LC/MS and Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. The session also included the example of the identification of fentanyl analogs.

Later in the day, Dr. Barry Logan presented an insightful session on Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Trends and Challenges, addressing the growing concerns surrounding NPS in the South Asia region. He discussed Public Health Alerts released in collaboration with the Colombo Plan and CFSRE, emphasizing the prevalence of synthetic cannabinoids (CB1 agonists), in South Asia. These substances are often found in herbal products (“Kush”, “Spice”, “K2”), v**e liquids, and adulterated hashish. Examples of commonly detected NPS included AB-FUBINACA, 5F-ADB, MDMB-CHMICA, and JWH-018 (earlier generations). Dr. Logan also highlighted the growing issue of adulterated drugs, noting that many new drugs are being mixed with veterinary drugs and industrial chemicals to extend their effects or increase volume. This trend poses significant public health risks due to the toxicological complications of such adulterants.

Fentanyl analogs, and novel synthetic opioids (e.g. nitazenes, and benzimidazoles) were noted as particularly concerning adulterants appearing in drugs worldwide. A significant seizure of fentanyl itself has been seized in Bangladesh, although currently there are no reports of nitazenes in South Asia, however, that may be a function of testing capability. Dr. Logan also discussed the prevalence of methamphetamine and ketamine in counterfeit M**A or Ecstasy pills. Finally, he discussed the emerging issue of Xylazine (a veterinary sedative), Medetomidine/Dexmedetomidine, and BTMPS, Bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) a chemical light stabilizer being detected as adulterants.

Dr. Logan concluded the day with a presentation on the NPS Discovery Program and its Open Access Drug Early Warning System, showcasing several reports on newly emergent drugs. One notable public alert released in May 2025 concerned the discovery of tetramethylfentanyl-related substances and BTMPS in the drug supply.

To wrap up the day's sessions, Dr. Logan introduced the International Toxic Adulterants Database (ITAD), highlighting the latest version—ITAD 4.0. This database, with data contributed by 42 laboratories across 30 countries, provides valuable information on emerging toxic adulterants. Dr. Logan explained how laboratories could gain access to ITAD and contribute their findings to enhance global awareness and research on toxic adulterants.