The European Union drug strategy: progress and problems

ENGLISH :
The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of 25 NGOs and professional networks that specialise in issues related to illegal drug use. The Consortium aims to promote objective and open debate on the effectiveness, direction and content of drug policies at national and international level, and supports evidence-based policies that are effective in reducing drug-related harm. It produces occasional briefing papers, disseminates the reports of its member organisations about particular drug-related matters, and offers expert consultancy services to policymakers and officials around the world. The European Union has been a useful vehicle for the discussion and co-ordination of drug policies between the 27 member states. Over the last 10 years, significant progress has been achieved across Europe in the monitoring and description of drug problems, and policy and programme responses, and greater understanding gained of policy similarities and differences. In addition, Member States, the Commission, Parliament, and relevant agencies have been able to agree a clear strategy and set of actions for the coming years that are directed at increasing co-operation and effectiveness in reducing illegal drug use and associated problems across the Union. However, current evaluation data suggest that drug use in Europe is only being contained at best and, despite several successes in reducing the harmful consequences, problems such as drug related crime, drug related deaths, and rates of Hepatitis infection among drug injectors, remain unacceptably high. We therefore suggest ways in which current EU strategy and actions could be strengthened in the coming months and years, and commend these recommendations to the members of the Horizontal Working Party on Drugs, the group responsible for co-ordinating EU action in this field. (Editor' s abstract)