VIENNA, 3 March 2025 – ‘Someone who is given opioids for 7 days, has a 1 in 10 chance of being on opioids in a year’, – this was the stark message of the documentary “7 Days – An Opioid Crisis in Arkansas”. The film, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Nathan Willis and produced by Arkansas PBS, shows the effects of the current opioid crisis in Arkansas, United States. It provides a unique look at the opioid crisis by sharing personal stories of those who have suffered from addiction, their families, and those who are fighting to bring an end to opioid use, misuse, and addiction.
In his opening remarks, Howard Solomon, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the U.S. Mission, highlighted the importance of a combined effort in tackling the drug crisis: “Although there is no simple solution to achieving lower numbers of fatal drug overdoses, every country has to do their part.”
The screening was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by UNIS Public Information Officer Anne Thomas. With the expertise of the panellists, combined with an engaged audience there was a rich discussion and many questions on preventive measures and local trends.
Matthew Nice, Manager of the International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances Programme (GRIDS) | OPIOIDS Project, spoke about developments that are needed in the field of counter narcotic operation: “I think it is important that there is a fast, open exchange of information. Whether it is through warning system or through tools that INCB supplies.”
The importance of the United Nations as a platform for exchange of information was underscored by Perkha Tahir Traxl, UNV Specialist with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Synthetic Drug Strategy. She pointed out that at the United Nations “you have a room full of people with all sorts of challenges that are unique to their region or country or context, sharing their information.”
In Austria there is a service for drug consumers to check psychoactive substances called ‘Check it’. Martin Busch, Head of the Addiction Competence Centre of the Austrian National Public Health Institute (GÖG), spoke about strategies in Austria and the importance of the checking service: “It would be very helpful If we would have more drug checking stations available. If the drugs would be checked before consumption and you know what is inside, the risk is much lower.”
