# CE2004070EN.01008301.xml

| 20.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 70/83 |
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20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 70/83

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(2004/C 70 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2309/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(14 July 2003)

Subject:   ‘Ecstasy’ — Holland

Subject:

According to the media, the consumption of synthetic drugs, especially Ecstasy, is becoming increasingly popular among young people in the Member States of the European Union.

According to these reports, most of the drugs originate in the Netherlands. Because of a more permissive attitude towards the consumption and sale of drugs in general, the environment is conducive to less public condemnation and vigilance regarding the production and sale of drugs.

Can the Commission say:

| — | whether it can confirm that the consumption of synthetic drugs, especially Ecstasy, is increasing, particularly among young people in the EU Member States; |
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whether it can confirm that the consumption of synthetic drugs, especially Ecstasy, is increasing, particularly among young people in the EU Member States;

| — | whether it can confirm that most of the drugs come from the Netherlands; |
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whether it can confirm that most of the drugs come from the Netherlands;

| — | if so, what measures it has taken or intends to take to prevent drugs being exported from the Netherlands and distributed throughout the EU; |
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if so, what measures it has taken or intends to take to prevent drugs being exported from the Netherlands and distributed throughout the EU;

| — | whether it considers that the policy on drugs and addiction developed by the Netherlands has proved ineffective; |
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whether it considers that the policy on drugs and addiction developed by the Netherlands has proved ineffective;

| — | what measures it recommends the neighbouring Member States should take to prevent the spread of the adverse consequences of the Netherlands' drugs and drug-addiction policy? |
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what measures it recommends the neighbouring Member States should take to prevent the spread of the adverse consequences of the Netherlands' drugs and drug-addiction policy?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(27 August 2003)

(27 August 2003)

According to the 2002 Annual Report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (Emcdda) cannabis continues to be the illegal substance most commonly used in all Union countries. Substances other than cannabis are used by much smaller proportions of the population. Amphetamines have been tried by 1 to 6 % of the population while ecstasy has been tried by about 0,5 to 4,5 % of the population.

The latest national population surveys among young adults (15-34 years old) report recent use (during the last month) of amphetamines by 0,5 to 6 % and ecstasy by 0,5 to 5 % of the target population in European countries.

The Emcdda in its annual report also indicates that the Netherlands is a major site for the production of ecstasy, amphetamines and related drugs but evidence of production in other Member States and in east European countries is also reported.

The Commission has emphasised that the issue of synthetic drugs must remain a top priority for the Union and its Member States. This has also been emphasised by the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers of the EU. Following on from a meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in September 2002 an implementation plan on actions to be taken in regard to the supply of synthetic drugs has been adopted by the Council. This plan proposes actions to address a number of issues with regard to the supply of synthetic drugs and identifies appropriate bodies to take the work forward.

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