Antigua and Barbuda has formally concluded a landmark year at the helm of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), the principal drug policy body of the Organization of American States (OAS), marking a significant chapter in the country’s regional and hemispheric leadership.
Lieutenant Colonel Edward H. Croft, Director of the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP), officially handed over the chairmanship during CICAD’s 78th Regular Session, held in Washington, D.C. on December 15 and 16. Antigua and Barbuda assumed the chairmanship in November 2024, becoming one of the few Caribbean states to lead the hemispheric body.
During the tenure, Antigua and Barbuda played a central role in advancing cooperation on drug policy across the Americas. Under Lt. Col. Croft’s leadership, the country convened two Regular Sessions of CICAD and spearheaded the establishment and leadership of the Working Group for the Hemispheric Plan of Action on Drugs for the 2026–2030 period, a key policy framework guiding regional responses to drug-related challenges.
One of the most notable milestones of the chairmanship was the presentation of CICAD’s Annual Report at the OAS General Assembly in May 2025, which was hosted in Antigua and Barbuda. The occasion marked the first time a Caribbean country hosted the General Assembly, underscoring the region’s growing influence within hemispheric institutions.
Addressing delegates at the conclusion of the session, Lt. Col. Croft reflected on the experience, emphasizing that leadership in international organizations is not determined by the size of a country but by its level of commitment. He encouraged other Caribbean and Central American states to take on leadership roles within hemispheric bodies and continue shaping regional and global policy agendas.
Lt. Col. Croft also expressed gratitude to the CICAD Executive Secretariat, particularly Acting Executive Secretary Angela Crowdy, as well as the Antigua and Barbuda Mission in Washington and the staff of the ONDCP, for their support throughout the year-long chairmanship.
CICAD comprises all 33 member states of the OAS and serves as the hemisphere’s primary consultative and advisory body on drug-related issues. Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership of the commission has been widely viewed as a testament to the country’s growing diplomatic presence and its commitment to collaborative, evidence-based approaches to regional security and public health challenges.
