Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe, a Regional Training on “Rapid Detection and Analysis of New Synthetic Drugs, Including Fentanyl, and Promotion of Intelligence Sharing to Combat Synthetic Drug Trafficking Networks” was held in Rome, Italy, from 19 to 21 May 2026.

The training was conducted within the framework of a regional project aimed at strengthening preventive and protective measures against the threats posed by synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, as well as other new synthetic drugs in South-Eastern Europe, with a special focus on the Balkan region.

Ms. Mia Matić participated in the training on behalf of the Office for Combating Drugs of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

The objective of the training was to enhance regional cooperation and support the development of comprehensive policy responses to transnational organized crime, while strengthening institutional capacities for the timely identification and response to threats posed by fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.

Throughout the three-day programme, participants were introduced to modern methods for the rapid detection and analysis of new synthetic drugs, mechanisms for intelligence and information sharing, and examples of good practices in preventing the illicit production, trafficking, and abuse of synthetic drugs.

The training also provided an important opportunity for the exchange of experiences and the strengthening of cooperation among representatives of relevant institutions from South-Eastern Europe, with the aim of improving the joint regional response to the challenges posed by the emergence of new synthetic drugs.