The drugs phenomenon is one of the greatest challenges countries are confronted with in the 21 st century. It is well known that drugs use and abuse influence and negatively affect the health of people, families and communities, as well as national and international development, social stability and security (1)(2) .The globalization process can direct or indirectly facilitate drugs trade, as well as the development of money laundry mechanisms, contributing to increased drugs consumption in different population groups. That makes the drugs phenomenon a global problem. Many countries have emphasized the association between drugs and terrorism and have direct or indirectly reinforced drugs control laws. In the context of the black market, drugs are considered a lucrative source of money; at the same time, this market can be associated with arms trade and violence against civilians and governments all over the world (3) .National policies highlight the importance of reducing drugs consumption, taking into account, for example, the risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS among injection drugs user, or greater accident risks, or the chronic damage that can be associated with drugs use (3) . Psychoactive substance consumption affects users' body and mind. These effects range from alterations in physiological functions to modified time and space perceptions, as well as alterations in states of awareness about the consumers' environment. It can be affirmed that drugs abuse and addiction result from a combination of three factors: a product (alcohol and other drugs), a person with his history and individual vulnerabilities and a social, cultural, political and economic context. In particular, it is fundamental to integrate the importance of social determinants of health and development into the analysis of and answers given to substance consumption, including the strong inequities that exist in the region. Likewise, it should be considered that many people present comorbidities due to addiction and mental health problems at the same time. In view of the above, a comprehensive approach is needed, which does not remain limited to an emphasis on the substance alone.Hence, the drugs phenomenon is an old problem in a new context. Countries face difficulties to control production and trade and reduce demand. That makes drugs use and abuse into a paramount theme on the national and international agenda, due to the damage they cause in countries' social, economic and political aspects.The current global context demands specialized professionals, who are capable of analyzing problems and presenting solutions and/or strategies with national and international perspectives, based on scientific data. Most OAS members states do not have specialized professional staff at their disposal, with scientific knowledge and sufficient research experience on drugs and related problems to work in national drugs commissions, research centers or academic professional training programs.In general, countries have neither established long-term programs or plannin...
