22.

In the field of drug supply reduction, the following priorities (not listed in the order of priority) are identified. 22.1. Strengthen the cooperation and coordination between law enforcement agencies at strategic and operational level. This should include, but not be limited to, improving cross-border exchange of information (and intelligence) in real time, best practices and knowledge, as well as conducting joint operations and investigations. Cooperation with third countries as regards tackling drug-related organised crime operating towards and within the EU should be seen as important in this respect. 22.2. Reduce intra-EU and cross-border production, smuggling, trafficking, distribution and sale of illicit drugs and the facilitation of such activities, as well as reduce the diversion of drug precursors, pre-precursors and other essential chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs. 22.3. Respond effectively to the evolving trends, such as the diversion of certain chemicals utilised as cutting agents for illicit drugs and the supply of drugs through the use of new technology. 22.4. Special attention must be given to new communication technologies as having a significant role as a facilitation for the production, marketing, trafficking and distribution of drugs (including controlled new psychoactive substances). 22.5. Member States shall continue to cooperate, and coordinate — where appropriate — their actions at EU level, together with relevant EU and international bodies and agencies, such as Europol, Eurojust, EMCDDA and fully exploit existing instruments and methods provided in the field of judicial and law enforcement cooperation, such as intelligence-led policing, drug profiling, Joint Investigation Teams, Joint Customs and Police Operations and relevant initiatives such as the EMPACT projects, Liaison Officer Platforms and through the use of regional platforms. 22.6. At EU level, emphasis shall be placed on intelligence-led law enforcement aimed at targeting large-scale drug production and trafficking. Closer coordination and cooperation between law enforcement agencies within and between Member States as well as with Europol should be further strengthened. 22.7. Where necessary, when such tasks are not initiated or implemented through Europol, ad hoc regional collaboration initiatives or platforms may be created within the EU, to counter emerging threats from shifting drug trafficking routes and emerging organised crime hubs. This shall be done by means of coordinated operation responses. Such actions need to be compatible with and complementary to existing legal and operational arrangements at EU level and shall be based on threat assessments and analysis. Such cooperation structures should be flexible, may have a temporary lifespan depending on the future development of the specific threat that they address and work in close cooperation with all relevant EU agencies and platforms, in particular with Europol. 22.8. Strengthen, where deemed necessary, the EU drug-related judicial and law enforcement cooperation and the use of existing practices by establishing faster and more accurate responses. Support judicial and law enforcement cooperation activities and exchange of information and intelligence. 22.9. Reinforce the European Union’s legislative framework in a targeted way as deemed necessary so as to strengthen the EU response in dealing with new trends, ensure that collaborative efforts complement each other with a view to dismantle cross-border organised crime groups, confiscate the proceeds of drug-related crime by fully utilising the EU network of asset recovery offices and thus ensure a more effective response to drug trafficking. The further development of relevant law enforcement instruments can be explored. 22.10. The EU shall work towards more effective policies in the field of drug supply reduction, by reinforcing policy evaluation and analysis to improve the understanding of drug-markets, drug-related crimes and the effectiveness of drug-related law enforcement responses. 22.11. In order to prevent crime, avoid recidivism and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system while ensuring proportionality, the EU shall encourage, where appropriate, the use, monitoring and effective implementation of drug policies and programmes including arrest referral and appropriate alternatives to coercive sanctions (such as education, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare and social reintegration) for drug-using offenders.