On 27 January 2026, Syria made a major step forward in addressing substance use as a public health priority, following a high-level inter-ministerial meeting in Damascus. The strategy frames substance use primarily as a public health and social issue, promoting collaboration across sectors while upholding dignity and human rights. WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, stressed that substance use is not solely a law enforcement issue but a public health challenge with broad societal impacts. This clinic integrates substance use services into primary health care, offering screening, psychosocial support, referral, and follow-up in a community-based, non-stigmatizing setting. Together, the National Strategy, inter-ministerial coordination, and expansion of integrated services signal a growing momentum for a Syrian-led, public health-driven approach to substance use.