*** I COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
*** I 
Brussels, 08.05.1996 
COM(%) 201 final 
96/0128 (COD) 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the European Parliament's amendments 
to the Council's common position regarding the 
proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
adopting a programme of Community action 
on the prevention of drug dependence 
within the framework for action 
in the field of public health 
(1996-2000) 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

COMMISSION OPINION, delivered in accordance with Article 189b(2)(d) of the EC 
Treaty, on the European Parliament amendments to the Council common position 
relating to the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting 
a programme of Community action on the prevention of drug dependence within the 
framework for action in the field of public health (1996-2000), amending the 
Commission proposal 
in accordance with Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty 
In its Communication of 24 November 1993 the Commission outlined a framework for 
future action at Community level towards attaining the health protection objectives laid 
down by Articles 3(o) and 129 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, 
following the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union. 
In initiating action under Article 129 the Community has to address the issue of 
preventing disease and protecting health. Drug dependence is the only scourge specifically 
mentioned in Article 129, and the Commission considered that its prevention was a 
priority for Community action and should be made the subject of a specific programme. 
This programme is also a key element of the Europoean Union action plan to combat 
drugs. 
This first Community action programme for the prevention of drug dependence is 
designed to support Member States' actions and to step up European cooperation at each 
stage of the prevention process (boosting awareness of the drugs phenomenon, identifying 
risk situations, counselling and guidance, medical and social assistance), with a view to 
preventing drug use, helping users to quit, reducing the mortality rate, reducing the risks 
arising from drug use and combating marginalisation. The specific activities envisaged 
are compatible with, and complementary to, other activities proposed within the public 
health framework. 
The Commission adopted its Decision on 21 June 1994 and transmitted the proposed 
Decision to the European Parliament and the Council on 22 August 19941. 
The Economic and Social Committee2 adopted its opinion on 22 February 1995. The 
ESC supports the programme and the approach proposed by the Commission in its 
Communication and its proposal for a Decision. It recommends that adequate resources 
be spread over a long period and emphasises the need to support the evaluation of 
ongoing research and existing practices, the promotion of innovative programmes, and 
exchanges of information and experience. 
1 OJ No C 257, 14 9.1994 
2 OJ No C 110, 2.5.1995 
i- à- V-
The Committee of the Regions3 adopted its opinion on 16 November 1994. The 
Committee supports the Commission proposal. It feels in particular that more resources 
should be earmarked for education and drug demand reduction and emphasises the 
importance of activities aimed at young addicts and groups who are difficult to reach, and 
activities geared towards modifying risk behaviour, rehabilitation, and the informing of 
regional and local communities. 
The European Parliament4 adopted its opinion at the first reading on 20 September 
1995, proposing 56 amendments to the Commission proposal. These amendments seek 
to extend and add detail to the proposed decision, in particular by laying stress on: 
the importance of strategies to reduce the damage caused by drug abuse, as a 
complement to the strategies aimed at primary prevention; 
the need for the programme to fit within a strategy of combating social exclusion, 
and to take account of the social factors linked to drug use; 
the need for a series of actions in the areas of information, education, training and 
research, placing the accent on young persons and high-risk groups and listing the 
specific activities to be developed within the framework of other Community 
policies. 
The Commission accepted 21 of the 56 amendments proposed by Parliament, either in 
full or in part. 
On 23 November 1995 the Commission adopted an amended proposal taking account of 
the aforementioned Parliament amendments5. 
On 20 December 1995 the Council unanimously adopted a common position with a view 
to adopting the Decision in question. 
The Commission was unable to accept this common position and entered reservations 
concerning the following points: 
Article 3 (Budget): The Council wanted to reduce the overall budget for the five-
year programme from MECU 28.5 to MECU 27. The Commission entered a 
reservation on this proposed reduction, especially since the common position 
provided both for more actions and for larger-scale actions than had the 
Commission's original proposal. 
Article 5 (Comitology): The Council wanted to introduce a dual, "mixed" 
procedure as regards the role of the Committee set up to assist the Commission 
in implementing the programme. This procedure, similar to that set up for the 
three programmes recently adopted on the basis of Article 129 (Health promotion; 
OJNOC210, 14.8.1994 
OJNOC269, 16.10.1995 
COM (95) 579 final 
S 
AIDS; Cancer), assigns the Committee "administrative" competence in six areas 
of activity, and "advisory" competence in a number of others. The Commission 
entered a reservation concerning this approach, affirming its preference for a 
purely advisory committee, and asked for a statement to this effect to be entered, 
in anticipation of the second reading by Parliament. 
- Annex (Actions to be implemented under the programme): The common 
position takes on board most of the amendments made by the Commission to its 
initial proposal in response to the Parliament amendments. 
The amendments not included in the Council's common position chiefly concern: 
- the attention to be given to utilisation of the other Community policies and 
programmes (Action b of the Commission proposal); the inventorising of 
organisations involved in the care of drug addicts (Action d(3) of the Commission 
proposal); the recitals highlighting the value of a multidisciplinary approach (9b 
and 15b) and listing the partner organisations for the implementation of the 
programme (16a). 
In view of the importance attached by Parliament to these aspects, the Commission 
entered a reservation concerning their non-inclusion in the Council common position. 
On 16 April 1996 the European Parliament adopted 23 amendments to the Council 
common position. 
The Commission's opinion concerning each of these amendments is given in the Annex. 
The Commission points out that in accordance with Article 189b(3) of the Treaty if, 
within three months of receiving the Parliament amendments, the Council, acting by a 
qualified majority, approves all of the amendments, it shall amend its position accordingly 
and adopt the act in question; however, the Council shall act unanimously on the 
amendments on which the Commission has delivered a negative opinion. If the Council 
does not approve the act in question, the President of the Council, in agreement with the 
President of the European Parliament, shall forthwith convene a meeting of the 
Conciliation Committee. 
£ 
ANNEX6 
Amendment No 3: Commission opinion: partially accepted. 
The Commission can accept this amendment in part and link it up with the preceding 
recital, provided the wording concerning the objectives of a multidisciplinary approach 
is made more general; 
Amendment No 4: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The text of the common position already refers to the impact of drug dependence on the 
health of individuals. 
Amendment No 5: Commission opinion: rejected. 
Defining the objectives of drug addiction policy falls outside the scope of this 
programme. 
Amendment No 6: Commission opinion: accepted partially. 
The reference to drug dependence as a sickness which can be prevented and treated 
confirms the wisdom of tackling this scourge from a public health prospective, as 
provided for in Article 129. 
Amendment No 7: Commission opinion: accepted partially. 
This amendment describes the objective of the programme more precisely, and the 
Commission accepts it provided that it mentions narcotics and psychotropic substances 
only (these being illicit drugs) and that, as regards the abuse of alcohol and 
pharmaceutical products, it takes account of the initiatives implemented in the context of 
the Community action programme on health promotion. 
Amendment No 8: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The recommendation in this amendment lies outside the scope of the programme. It is the 
responsibility of the national authorities to distinguish, if they so wish, between soft and 
hard drugs. 
Amendment No 9: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The recommendation in this amendment lies outside the scope of this programme. The 
spirit of this amendment is reflected more specifically in the statement of the 
programme's objective (amendment 7). 
Amendment No 10: Commission opinion: accepted partially. 
The Commission can partially accept this amendment if it is worded in a more general 
way, identifying the prison environment as one of the priority environments for 
preventive action. 
Amendment No 11: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The numbering of the amendments corresponds to the numbering of the Recommendation for second 
reading - Doc. A4-93 EP 198.341, and to the position of the amendments in relation to the text of the 
common position. 
9-
The measures envisaged in this amendment lie outside the scope of the programme. 
Amendment No 12: Commission opinion: accepted. 
A horizontal question: the amendment corresponds to the texts of the decisions on the 
three programmes recently adopted on the basis of Article 129 (Cancer; Health 
promotion; AIDS). 
Amendment No 13: Commission opinion: rejected. 
This amendment does not take account of the principle of subsidiarity; it contains a very 
specific and restrictive reference to certain categories of organisations, which, moreover, 
are covered by amendment 15. 
Amendment No 15: Commission opinion: accepted. 
This amendment adds a non-exhaustive reference to the types of organisation which could 
participate in the implementation of the programme. 
Amendment No 17: Commission opinion: accepted partially. 
A horizontal question: the Commission can accept the first part of the amendment, which 
corresponds to the texts of the decisions on the three programmes recently adopted on the 
basis of Article 129. 
Amendment No 18: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The EDMC's tasks and operating methods are laid down in the Regulation establishing 
the EDMC and cannot be modified through this programme. 
Amendment No 19: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The Commission has entered general reservations concerning the comitology approach 
proposed in the common position and cannot accept this amendment since it implies 
acceptance of the Council's position. 
Amendment No 21: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The Commission has entered general reservations concerning the comitology approach 
proposed in the common position and cannot accept this amendment since it implies 
acceptance of the Council's position. Additionally, the reference to the informing of the 
European Parliament was made by means of a declaration when the decisions were taken 
on the three other programmes recently adopted in the public health framework. 
Amendment No 23: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The action envisaged by this amendment falls outside the scope of the programme. 
Amendment No 24: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The Commission considers that the areas of activity covered by this amendment are 
already covered by the Council text. 
Amendment No 26: Commission opinion: partially accepted. 
The Commission can accept a reference to the relatives and guardians of drug addicts 
provided this is worded in general terms, as follows: "measures to assist persons living 
2 
with them". The financing of projects to provide training or employment for drug addicts 
falls outside the scope of this programme. 
Amendment No 27: Commission opinion: accepted partially. 
The Commission can accept a non-exhaustive mention of the relevant environments for 
reaching out to young people. The Commission considers that involving young people in 
the prevention actions is covered by the Council text. Support for programmes to teach 
young people social skills falls under the scope of the health promotion action 
programme. 
Amendment No 28: Commission opinion: accepted partially. 
The Commission can accept a reference to promoting recourse to the expertise of persons 
liable to come into contact with groups of potential users. 
Amendment No 29: Commission opinion: rejected. 
The action envisaged by this amendment partially overlaps with the provisions relating 
to the objective and implementation of the programme. 
Amendment No 31: Commission opinion: accepted partially. 
This amendment assimilates into the programme's palette of measures the promotion of 
multidisciplinary cooperation for prevention purposes, which tallies with the approach 
defined during the discussions on drug demand reduction in the context of the European 
Union Action Plan to Combat Drugs. 
? 
AMENDED PROPOSAL 
FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
ADOPTING A PROGRAMME OF COMMUNITY ACTION 
ON THE PREVENTION OF DRUG DEPENDENCE 
WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION IN THE 
FIELD OF PUBLIC HEALTH (1996-2000) 
(presented by the Commission in accordance with Article 189a(2) 
of the EC Treaty) 
Lv 
COUNCIL COMMON POSITION MODIFICATIONS PROPOSED 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing 
the European Community, and in 
particular Article 129 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission1, 
Having regard to the Opinion of the 
Economic and Social Committee2, 
Having regard to the Opinion of the 
Committee of the Regions3, 
Acting in accordance with the procedure 
laid down in Article 189b of the Treaty4, 
(1) Whereas drug dependence has 
grown alarmingly in the Member 
States and has serious 
implications for the health of 
individuals and the welfare of the 
general public; 
(1) OJNoC257, 14.9.1994, p. 4. 
(2) OJNoC 110, 2.5.1995, p. 8. 
(3) OJ No C 210, 14.8.1995, p. 88. 
(4) Opinion of the European 
Parliament of 20 September 
1995, Council common position 
of 20 December 1995 (OJ No 
C269, 16.10.1995, p. 65) and 
Decision of the European 
Parliament of (OJ No C 37, 
9.2.1996, p. 1) (not yet published 
in the Official Journal). 
/( 
(2) Whereas, in creating in 1985 a 
Committee of Inquiry into the 
problem of drugs in the Member 
States of the European 
Community, the European 
Parliament demonstrated its 
desire to study in depth the 
factors which trigger drug 
demand and enable drugs to 
continue being produced and 
distributed; 
(3) Whereas in its 
resolutions concerning this 
problem1 the European 
Parliament formulated a series of 
proposals with a view, in 
particular, to Community action 
on the prevention of drug 
dependence; 
(4) Whereas the European Council, 
at its meeting in Dublin on 25 
and 26 June 1990, "stressed the 
responsibility of each Member 
State to develop an appropriate 
drug demand reduction 
programme" and "considered that 
effective action by each Member 
State, supported by joint action 
of the Twelve and the 
Community, should be a main 
priority over the coming years"; 
(1) OJ No C 172, 2.7.1984, p. 130. 
OJNoC283, 10.11.1986, p. 79. 
OJ No C 47, 27.2.1989, p. 51. 
OJNoC 150, 15. 6.1992, p. 42. 
IL 
(5) Whereas the actions undertaken 
at Community level on the basis 
of Council Resolutions, 
declarations and conclusions 
relating to the prevention of drug 
dependence, and in particular 
subsequent to the emphasis 
placed by the European Council, 
meeting in Rome on 14 and 
15 December 1990, on the 
European Plan to Combat Drugs, 
have helped to sustain the 
Member States' efforts; 
(6) Whereas the Council, in its 
Resolution of 2 June 19941, in 
response to the Commission 
communication of 24 November 
1993 on a framework for action 
in the field of public health, 
included drug dependence among 
the priority areas for Community 
action for which the Commission 
was invited to bring forward 
proposals for action; 
(7) Whereas Regulation (EEC) 
No 302/932 established a 
European Monitoring Centre on 
Drugs and Drug Addiction to 
provide the Community and the 
Member States with reliable and 
comparable information 
concerning drugs and drug 
addiction; 
(1) OJNoC 165, 17.6.1994, p. 1. 
(2) OJNoL36, 12.2.1993, p. 1. 
(J 
(8) Whereas the declaration on the 
occasion of the entry into force 
of the Treaty on European Union 
adopted by the European 
Council, meeting in Brussels on 
29 October 1993, emphasized 
that the Treaty provides "a 
structured institutional 
framework, so that in particular 
greater control can be achieved 
over those of society's problems 
that run across frontiers, such as 
drugs (...)"; 
(9) Whereas the problems associated 
with the drugs phenomenon are 
such that they require a fully 
coordinated and global strategy, 
as stated by the European 
Council, meeting in Brussels on 
10 and 11 December 1993; 
9a. (New) 
Whereas a multidisciplinary approach 
should in particular ensure that the social 
and personal implications of the 
phenomenon are taken into account: 
(10) Whereas drug dependence is the 
only scourge expressly referred to 
in the provisions of the Treaty 
dealing with public health and is 
therefore a priority for 
Community action within the 
framework for action in the field 
of public health set out by the 
Commission; 
10a. (New) 
Whereas drug dependence is a sickness 
which can be prevented and treated: 
(11) Whereas this programme is one 
of the essential components of 
the Commission communication 
to the European Parliament and 
the Council of 23 June 1994 on a 
European Union Action Plan to 
combat drugs (1995-1999), on 
which the Council commented in 
its conclusions of 2 June 1995; 
<<< 
(12) Whereas, by reason of its scale 
and effects, Community action to 
encourage support for the 
prevention of drug dependence 
will make a better contribution to 
achieving the desired objectives, 
which come within the 
framework of Article 129 of the 
Treaty, in particular the second 
subparagraph of paragraph 1 
thereof; 
(13) Whereas cooperation with the 
competent international 
organizations and with 
non-member countries should be 
strengthened; 
(14) Whereas a multiannual 
programme should be launched 
with clear objectives for 
Community action, and priority 
measures should be selected, as 
well as appropriate mechanisms 
for the evaluation of such action, 
with a view to preventing drug 
dependence and the associated 
problems; 
(15) Whereas the programme should 
have the objective of helping to 
combat drug dependence by 
preventing dependence linked to 
the use of narcotics and 
psychotropic substances and 
associated use of other products 
for the purposes of drug 
addiction; 15. Whereas the programme should 
have as its objective to contribute 
to the enhancement of awareness 
of the use of narcotics and 
psychotropic substances and the 
associated use of other products 
for the purposes of drug 
addiction, and to improve 
recognition of risk situations, 
early detection, counselling and 
advice, health and social support, 
with a view to preventing drug 
use, facilitating the cessation of 
drug use, lowering the mortality 
rate, reducing the risks of 
infection by agents of infection 
and reducing marginalisation: 
(16) Whereas there is a need to 
improve knowledge of the 
phenomenon of drugs and drug 
dependence and their 
rr 
consequences, and of the ways 
and means of preventing drug 
addiction and the associated 
risks; 
(17) Whereas there is a need both for 
general preventive action and for 
preventive measures focusing on 
specific target groups, 
particularly the young and 
marginal groups, while avoiding 
stereotypes of drug users; 
17a. (New) 
Whereas the prison environment is one 
of the priority environments for 
preventive action: 
(18) Whereas it is important that the 
Commission ensure 
implementation of this 
programme in close cooperation 
with the Member States; whereas, 
to that end, provision should be 
made for a procedure to 
ensure that Member States are 
fully involved in implementing 
the programme; 
(19) Whereas a "modus vivendi" 
between the European 
Parliament, the Council and the 
Commission concerning the 
implementing measures for acts 
adopted in accordance with the 
procedure laid down in 
Article 189b of the Treaty was 
concluded on 20 December 1994; 
(20) Whereas, from an operational 
point of view, the investment 
made in previous years should be 
safeguarded and developed; 
(21) Whereas, however, possible 
duplication of effort should be 
avoided by the promotion of the 
exchange of experience and by 
the joint development of basic 
information modules for the 
general public, for health 
education and for training 
IL 
members of the health-care 
professions, which may be 
targeted on specific groups; 
(22) Whereas the objectives of this 
programme and of the actions 
undertaken to implement it form 
part of the health protection 
requirements referred to in the 
third paragraph of Article 129(1) 
of the Treaty and as such form a 
constituent part of the 
Community's other policies; 
(23) Whereas, in order to increase the 
value and impact of the 
programme, a continuous 
assessment of the measures 
undertaken should be carried out, 
with particular regard to their 
effectiveness and the achievement 
of objectives both at national 
level and Community level, and, 
where appropriate, the necessary 
adjustments should be made; 
(24) Whereas thi s Deci si on 1 ay s down, 
for the entire duration of the 
programme, a financial 
framework constituting the 
principal point of reference, 
within the meaning of point 1 of 
the Declaration of the European 
Parliament, the Council and 
Commission of 6 March 1995, 
for the budgetary authority during 
the annual budgetary procedure; 
(25) Whereas this programme should 
run for five years in order to 
allow sufficient time for actions 
to be implemented to achieve the 
objectives set, 
HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
Establishment of the programme 
f+ 
1. A programme of Community action 
on the prevention of drug dependence, 
hereinafter referred to as "the 
programme", shall be adopted for the 
period 1 January 1996 to 31 December 
2000 within the framework for action in 
the field of public health. 
2. The objective of the programme 
shall be to help in combating drug 
dependence, in particular by encouraging 
cooperation between the Member States, 
supporting their action and promoting 
coordination between their policies and 
programmes with a view to preventing 
dependence linked to the use of narcotics 
and psychotropic substances and 
associated use of other products for the 
purposes of drug addiction. 
3. The actions to be implemented under 
the programme and their specific 
objectives are set out in the Annex under 
the following headings: 
A. Data, research, evaluation 
B. Information, health education and 
training. 
Article 2 
Implementation 
1. The Commission shall ensure the 
implementation, in close cooperation 
with the Member States, of the actions 
set out in the Annex, in accordance with 
Article 5. 
2. The Commission shall cooperate 
with the institutions and organizations 
which are active in the field of drug 
demand reduction. 2. The Commission shall cooperate 
with the institutions and organizations 
which are active in the field of drug 
demand reduction; in particular, it shall 
encourage participation in the 
implementation of the programme by 
public and private bodies, non­
governmental organisations (NGOs). 
volunteers and therapy or social welfare 
communities. 
a 
3. The Member States are called upon 
to take the measures they judge 
necessary to coordinate and organize the 
implementation of this programme at 
national level. 
Article 3 
(i) 
Budget 
1. The financial framework for the 
implementation of the programme for the 
period referred to in Article 1 shall be 
ECU 27 million. 
2. The annual appropriations shall be 
authorized by the budgetary authority 
within the limits of the financial 
perspective. 
(1) The Commission maintains a 
reservation concerning this 
Article. 
f? 
Article 4 
Consistency and complementarity 
1. The Commission and the Member 
States shall ensure that there is 
consistency and complementarity 
between actions to be implemented under 
this programme and other relevant 
Community programmes and initiatives, 
including the "SOCRATES", 
"LEONARDO DA VINCI" and "Youth 
for Europe (III)" programmes and the 
biomedical and health research 
programme under the Community's 
framework programme for research. 
2. The Commission shall also ensure 
that the activities implemented take into 
account the work of the European 
Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug 
Addiction (EDMC). It shall also ensure, 
together with the Member States, that the 
Community's priorities and needs are 
taken into due account in the 
EDMC's programmes. 1. The Commission shall ensure that 
there is consistency and complementarity 
between actions to be implemented under 
this programme and other relevant 
Community programmes and initiatives, 
including the "SOCRATES", 
"LEONARDO DA VINCI" and "Youth 
for Europe (III)" programmes and the 
biomedical and health research 
programme under the Community's 
framework programme for research. 
3. The Commission and the Member 
States shall ensure consistency with the 
European Union's Action Plan to combat 
drugs. 
Article 5 (i) 
Committee 
1. Commission shall be assisted by 
a Committee consisting of two members 
designated by each Member State and 
chaired by the representative of the 
Commission. 
(1) The Commission maintains a 
reservation concerning this 
Article. 
2a 
2. The representative of the 
Commission shall submit to the 
Committee a draft of the measures to be 
taken concerning: 
(a) the Committee's rules of 
procedure; 
(b) an annual work programme 
indicating the priorities for 
action; 
(c) the arrangements, criteria and 
procedures for selecting and 
financing projects under the 
programme, including those 
involving cooperation with 
international organizations having 
responsibility in the field of 
public health and participation of 
the countries referred to in 
Article 6(2); 
(d) the evaluation procedure; 
(e) the arrangements for 
dissemination and transfer of 
results; 
(f) the arrangements for cooperating 
with the institutions and 
organizations referred to in 
Article 2(2). 
The Committee shall deliver its opinion 
on the draft measures referred to above 
within a time limit which the Chairman 
may lay down according to the urgency 
of the matter. The opinion shall be 
delivered by the majority laid down in 
Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case 
of decisions which the Council is 
required to adopt on a proposal from the 
Commission. The votes of the 
representatives of the Member States 
within the Committee shall be weighted 
in the manner set out in that Article. 
The Chairman shall not vote. 
The Commission shall adopt measures 
which shall apply immediately. 
li 
However, if these measures are not in 
accordance with the opinion of the 
Committee, they shall be communicated 
by the Commission to the Council 
forthwith. In that event: 
- the Commission shall defer 
application of the measures 
which it has decided upon for a 
period of two months from the 
date of such communication, 
- the Council, acting by a qualified 
majority, may take a different 
decision within the time limit 
referred to in the first indent. 
3. In addition, the Commission may 
consult the Committee on any other 
matter concerning the implementation of 
the programme. 
The representative of the Commission 
shall submit to the Committee a draft of 
the measures to be taken. The 
Committee shall deliver its opinion on 
the draft within a time limit which the 
Chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter, if necessary by 
taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the 
minutes; in addition, each Member State 
shall have the right to ask to have its 
opinion recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost 
account of the opinion delivered by the 
Committee. It shall inform the 
Committee of the manner in which its 
opinion has been taken into account. 
4. The Commission representative shall 
keep the Committee regularly informed 
about: 
- financial assistance granted under 
this programme (amounts, 
duration, breakdown and 
beneficiaries), 
?z 
Commission proposals or 
Community initiatives and the 
implementation of programmes in 
other areas which are directly 
relevant to the achievement of 
the objectives of the programme, 
with a view to ensuring the 
consistency and complementarity 
referred to in Article 4. 
Article 6 
International cooperation 
1. In the course of implementing the 
programme, cooperation with 
non-member countries and with 
international organizations having 
responsibility in the field of public 
health shall be encouraged and 
implemented in accordance with the 
procedure laid down in Article 5. 
In particular, the Commission shall 
cooperate with the Council of Europe's 
Pompidou Group, with international 
intergovernmental organizations such as 
the World Health Organization (WHO), 
the United Nations Educational, 
Scientific and Cultural 
Organization (UNESCO), the 
International Labour Organization (ILO) 
and with the United Nations International 
Drug Control Programme (UNIDCP). 
2. The programme shall be open to 
participation by the associated countries 
of Central and Eastern Europe (ACCEE) 
in accordance with the conditions laid 
down in the Additional Protocols to the 
Association Agreements, to be concluded 
with those countries, concerning 
participation in Community programmes. 
The programme shall be open to 
participation by Cyprus and Malta on the 
basis of additional appropriations in 
accordance with the same rules as those 
applied to the EFTA countries, in 
accordance with procedures to be agreed 
with those countries. 
l> 
Article 7 
Monitoring and evaluation 
1. The Commission, taking into 
account the reports drawn up by the 
Member States and with the 
participation, where necessary, of 
independent experts, shall ensure that an 
evaluation is made of the actions 
undertaken. 
2. The Commission shall submit to the 
European Parliament and the Council an 
interim report halfway through the 
programme and a final report on 
completion thereof. The Commission 
shall incorporate into those reports the 
results of the evaluations. It shall also 
send the reports to the Economic and 
Social Committee and the Committee of 
the Regions. 
a CH 
ANNEX 
PROGRAMME OF COMMUNITY 
ACTION 
ON THE PREVENTION OF DRUG 
DEPENDENCE 
A. DATA. RESEARCH. EVALUATION 
Objective 
To improve knowledge of the 
phenomenon of drugs and drug 
dependence and its consequences and 
of means and methods of preventing 
drug dependence and the risks relating 
thereto, in particular by using the 
information supplied by the EDMC 
and the possibilities offered by 
existing Community programmes and 
instruments. 
Actions 
1. Help identify the data to be 
collected, analysed and 
disseminated for the purposes of 
the programme, including data on 
polysubstance dependence. 
2. Exploit the data most useful for 
the implementation of the 
programme, on the basis in 
particular of a regular 
communication of the work of 
the EDMC. 
3. Help develop a strategy for 
research on the prevention of drug 
dependence, in particular to 
improve knowledge as regards the 
impact in the public health sphere 
of policies targeting drug users and 
on the effects of drugs and the use 
of appropriate techniques for 
preventive purposes. 
4. Support studies and pilot projects 
on the socio-economic, 
V 
socio-cultural and 
psycho-sociological factors 
associated with drug dependence, 
including in target groups. 
5. Support studies and actions and 
promote the exchange of 
experience on ways and means of 
preventing the risks associated 
with drug dependence, in 
particular for: 
- preventing, in drug-dependent 
pregnant women, the effects of 
drugs on the foetus and the risks 
of transmitting infections to the 
child, 
- reducing the risks associated 
with the injection of drugs, 
- making an assessment of 
accompanying health measures, 
in particular substitution 
programmes, 
- evaluating methods and 
programmes for prevention and 
risk reduction in the 
management of drug-dependent 
prisoners. 
6. Encourage the exchange of 
information and experience on 
preventing drug addiction relapses, 
including the rehabilitation of drug 
users. Encourage the exchange of 
information and experience on 
preventing drug addiction relapses, 
including the rehabilitation of drug 
users, and on ways of assisting 
persons living with them: 
B. INFORMATION. HEALTH 
EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
Objective 
Contribute to improving information, 
education and training aimed at 
preventing drug dependence and the Objective 
Contribute to improving information, 
education and training aimed at 
preventing drug dependence and the 
U 
associated risks, in particular for 
young people and particularly 
vulnerable groups. 
(a) Information and health education 
Actions 
7. Support schemes to evaluate the 
effectiveness of information and 
health education campaigns and 
carry out regular public opinion 
surveys via Eurobarometer to 
monitor changes in Europeans' 
attitudes towards drugs. 
8. Organize further European Drug 
Prevention Weeks on the basis of 
previous experience. 
9. Help identify, test and develop the 
best information and educational 
tools and methods for target 
groups, and in particular: 
- encourage the use of 
information tailored to particular 
environments or circles, taking 
account of changes in patterns 
of use and products used, and of 
the phenomenon of 
polysubstance dependence, 
- support schemes to adapt 
messages to the needs and 
specific features of particularly 
vulnerable groups, 
- support the development of 
telephone help line services and 
consider the feasibility of 
introducing a single telephone 
number for such services in all 
Member States. associated risks, in particular for young 
people in the relevant environments (for 
example home, school, university and 
leisure time) and particularly vulnerable 
groups. 
Vr 
10. Help to define guidelines on the 
prevention of drug abuse and 
foster the selection and use of 
teaching methods and materials, 
in particular within the context 
of the European network of 
health-promoting schools, in 
order to develop attitudes in 
young people which will enable 
them to avoid drugs and drug 
addiction; support integrated 
projects, programmes and other 
drug prevention initiatives in 
places frequented by children 
and young people, with the 
participation wherever possible 
of parents and those concerned. 10. Help to define guidelines on the 
prevention of drug abuse and foster 
the selection and use. of teaching 
methods and materials, in particular 
within the context of the European 
network of health-promoting schools, 
in order to develop attitudes in 
young people which will enable 
them to avoid drugs and drug 
addiction; support integrated 
projects, programmes and other drug 
prevention initiatives in places 
frequented by children and young 
people, with the participation 
wherever possible of parents and 
those concerned; promote recourse to 
the expertise of persons liable to 
come into contact with groups of 
potential users. 
11. Encourage exchanges of 
experience on initiatives aimed 
at improving coordination 
between all those involved in 
the provision of education. 
12. Support schemes for advising 
teachers, families and those 
responsible for young people on 
the early detection of the use of 
drugs and the action to take. 
13. In cooperation with the EDMC 
and the Council of Europe, 
encourage if need be, the 
extension of the European 
network of "test towns", so as to 
promote technical cooperation 
on the ways and means used by 
these towns to reduce drug 
demand. 
14. Support exchanges of 
experience, particularly on a 
regional cross-border basis, 
concerning local prevention 
initiatives. Support exchanges 
U 
of experience on prevention 
models and practices involving 
towns in different Member 
States which are particularly 
affected by the problem of 
drugs. 
(b) Training 
15. Promote initiatives to improve 
the drug prevention aspect of 
vocational training programmes 
for teachers and those 
responsible for young people 
and encourage exchanges of 
students training for the social 
and health-care professions, 
including exchanges under other 
Community programmes. 
16. Support the development of 
further-training programmes, 
teaching materials and modules 
for those likely to come into 
contact with drug users and 
groups at risk, including in 
particular social work, 
health-care, police and other 
law-enforcement professionals. 16. Support the development of 
further-training programmes, 
teaching materials and modules for 
those likely to come into contact 
with drug users and groups at risk, 
including in particular social work, 
health-care, police and other 
law-enforcement professionals; 
promote multidisciplinary 
cooperation with a view to 
preventing drug dependence. 
21-\c 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 201 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 05 
Catalogue number : CB-C0-96-213-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-03868-7 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
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