From July 13-17, 2015, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency conducted a workshop on “Emerging Synthetic Drugs” in Ashgabat for officials from the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Health, the State Service for the Protection of a Healthy Society, and the State Migration and Customs Services. The workshop was intended to respond to increased concerns in Central Asia about synthetic drugs. The workshop covered such issues as identifying synthetic drugs, operational planning, clandestine labs, designer drugs, and controlled deliveries. During the July 17 closing ceremony of the workshop, Embassy Chargé D’Affaires Paul Poletes highlighted the need for continuing international cooperation in the fight against illegal narcotics and awarded certificates to participants in the workshop.