Ninth Meeting of the North American Drug Dialogue

On January 27 and 28, 2026, the Government of Canada hosted the Governments of Mexico and the United States in Ottawa for the Ninth Meeting of the North American Drug Dialogue (NADD). The annual NADD meeting brings together the three countries' counternarcotics policy makers, law enforcement leaders, and public health experts to collaborate on strategies to counter the grave threat posed by the manufacturing, trading, and misuse of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.

Amid a rapidly evolving illegal drug and counternarcotics landscape-including President Trump's designations of cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction-participants discussed emerging threats, current drug trafficking and substance use trends, and coordinated approaches to counter illegal drug trafficking in North America. Participants reviewed progress on the previous year's five priority areas: drug trafficking modes and methods; current and emerging synthetic drugs; drug demand and public health efforts to counter this demand; illicit financial flows related to illegal drug trafficking; and firearms trafficking as an enabler of drug trafficking. The significant progress on these fronts is contributing to a safer, healthier North America.

Building on last year's progress, the three countries reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to reduce the harm to public safety caused by the use and trafficking of illegal drugs in North America. To advance this goal, the countries agreed to coordinate efforts over the next three years under three strategic priorities: (1) securing the global supply chain and related institutions against drug trafficking; (2) strengthening effective drug policy implementation and law enforcement; and (3) reducing overdose deaths, mitigating harm and increasing long-term recovery. Participants will advance these priorities by enhancing border and postal security; stopping firearms trafficking networks that support the drug trade; closing financial systems to criminal networks; and deploying wastewater testing and early drug warning capabilities.

Canada, Mexico, and the United States discussed the historic commitment President Trump secured from China in relation to the control of precursor chemical exports to North America. The three countries agreed to utilize the NADD to track improvements in closing gaps in the global supply chain.

The NADD was established in July 2016. By fostering transparency and the sharing of concrete implementation strategies, best practices, and data, Canada, Mexico, and the United States aim to improve understandings of the challenges to North America posed by the illicit drug trade and substance use and promote coordinated, enduring solutions.