COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 29.02.1996 
COM(96) 71 final 
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 
ON THE EVALUATION 
OF THE EUROPEAN DRUG PREVENTION WEEK (EDPW) 1994 
IN RELATION TO THE COMMISSION'S ACTIVITIES IN THIS SECTOR 

Contents 
I. PRESENTATION OF THE 1994 EUROPEAN DRUG PREVENTION WEEK . . . 3 
n. QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS 4 
n.l Global quantitative data 4 
n.2 Target audiences for the European Week 5 
n.3 Area covered by the Week 6 
11.4 Financial analysis 7 
ni QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS 7 
in.l Analysis by level of organisation 7 
HI. 1.1 European level 7 
III.1.2 National level 8 
III. 1.3 Regional and local level . 9 
DJ.2 Analysis by type of Community initiative 10 
111.2.1 The Aachen conference 10 
111.2.2 The radio campaign 11 
111.2.3 First encounters: "Drugs and images" 12 
m.3. Impact of the European Week on European citizens 13 
IV. GUIDELINES FOR REPEATING THE EDPW 14 
V. ANNEXES 16 
ANNEXE 1 16 
ANNEXE 2 21 

I. PRESENTATION OF THE 1994 EUROPEAN DRUG PREVENTION WEEK 
(16-22 October 1994) 
1 In its declaration on the European Drug Prevention Week 19941 (EDPW), the 
Council considered that "the organisation of a second European Drug Prevention 
Week in October 1994 should, together with the Commission's activities in this 
field, make an effective and visible contribution to better cooperation in Europe". 
This report is intended to provide elements for a quantitative and qualitative 
evaluation of the European dimension to this Drug Prevention Week, situating it 
within the context of the activities developed in this field by the Commission 
since 1993 . 
2 The transmission of this information meets the requirement for transparency 
incumbent upon the Commission in carrying out its executive function. The report 
also provides useful information relating to the proposal for a Community action 
programme for the prevention of drug dependence, which identifies "contributing 
to the improvement of public awareness" as a priority for Community activity in 
the field concerned, and the European Weeks as measures to be repeated to that 
end. 
3 The EDPWs represent a specific means for European cooperation in the field in 
question. The evaluation of the first Week3 (November 1992) provided valuable 
indications in a number of fields, which the Council took into account when 
establishing the framework for the 1994 EDPW with: 
- the statement that this type of initiative should make an effective and tangible 
contribution to improving European cooperation; 
- a request for particular attention to be paid to the effectiveness and evaluation of 
long-term primary prevention measures; 
- a concern to ensure that the second European Week is particularly targeted at 
young people; 
- with regard to working methods, a proposal for support from a network of 
national coordinators, themselves assisted by national organising committees. 
4 On this basis, the Commission asked each Member State to appoint a national 
coordinator with responsibility for all measures relating to the Week in relation 
to both governmental and non-governmental structures. The whole process of 
preparing the Week was supervised and administered by this European 
coordinating group, chaired by a representative from the Commission. 
5 The Commission also proposed that the activities of national coordinating 
committees be co-financed. The latter had the task of relaying all useful 
OJ C 15, 18.1.1994, p. 7, Council Declaration of 3.12.1993. 
See Annex 1 regarding execution of the budget heading on the health aspect of drug prevention over 
the period considered. 
COM(93)353 final. 
information at local level, particularly on opportunities, methods and conditions 
for taking part in the event, and of ensuring the monitoring and coordination of 
efforts at national level in close cooperation with the national coordinator. The 
establishment of these bodies was made the responsibility of national coordinators, 
so that they would be more closely suited to the realities and constraints of each 
Member State. 
6 The 1994 EDPW consisted not only of the simultaneous organisation in the 
Member States of a large number of activities in the field of drug prevention but 
also of a series of "Community initiatives". Member States were requested to 
devote particular attention to the guidelines laid down by the Council when 
drawing up national programmes of activities co-financed by the European 
Commission. By supporting national programmes forwarded to it by the 
coordinators, the Commission co-financed 150 measures or groups of measures 
in the Member States, out of over 1 500 initiatives undertaken during the Week. 
As far as the "Community initiatives" were concerned, the Commission selected 
transnational projects on the basis of the criteria set out in resolution 94/C 15/05: 
a European dimension, potential impact (direct or indirect) on young audiences, 
timescale of the planned measure (emphasis on long-term projects or those with 
lasting impact) and, on the contractual side, an emphasis on the importance of 
assessing the said measures. 
7 The diversity of activities undertaken and the institutional structure of the EDPW 
made it possible to envisage evaluation on the basis of a pyramid, involving 
project leaders, national coordinators and coordinating committees and the 
Commission. Through an invitation to tender, the Commission selected an 
independent and specialised structure in the field of evaluation which produced 
a technical evaluation report on this European Week (to be published shortly) 
based on information gathered in advance and on a series of semi-guided 
interviews with national coordinators and operators in the field. These tools make 
it possible to determine the main lines of the 1994 European Drug Prevention 
Week on a quantitative and qualitative basis. 
II. QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS 
TLA Global quantitative data 
8 Among the 1 500 initiatives launched during the EDPW, four types of measure 
account for over 60% of all measures undertaken, namely: social-cultural activities 
(17%) ; conferences (17%); training (15%); project fairs/exhibitions (13%). Two 
thirds of the measures relate to the target audience and those close to them or to 
professionals (in education, health, justice, etc.) motivated in various ways by the 
question of drug prevention. Over and above the apparent diversity of the types 
of measures carried out, they can be categorised under three main headings: 
Public information and awareness-raising; Exchanges between professionals; 
Prevention activities for/with target audiences (a point to note here is the 
convergence of national programmes). 
9 The category "Public information and awareness-raising" covers press and poster 
campaigns, radio and TV campaigns, special programmes and various materials. 
The evaluation highlights the diversity of initiatives aimed at communicating, 
informing and supporting debate within society on the question of drugs and 
promoting and publicising initiatives during the Week. These measures represent 
25% of all measures carried out. The category "Exchanges between professionals" 
covers training and conferences. The evaluation makes particular note of the 
attention given to anchoring primary preventive measures at local level and the 
prevalence of multidisciplinary approaches. These measures represent 30% of all 
measures carried out. The category "Activities with/for target audiences" covers 
social and cultural activities, sport-related activities, project fairs and exhibitions, 
and others. Noting the considerable number of techniques used (peer groups, 
integrated programmes, project leadership, etc.), the evaluation highlights the will 
of Member States to place the young people themselves at the heart of prevention 
strategies. These measures represent 45% of all measures carried out. 
n.2 Target audiences for the European Week 
10 The methods chosen by each Member State, the measures carried out relating to 
the audience and dissemination, and the periods during which these studies were 
carried out mean that the figures gathered with regard to the audience reached by 
the EDPW are random, and it is preferable to talk of a global estimate. The data 
collected therefore refer to trends rather than definitive quantified results. 
11 The results of the evaluation make it possible to give a reasonable estimate that 
approximately 100 million people (from all groups) were reached4 by the various 
measures carried out during European Drug Prevention Week. It is noteworthy 
that 90% of these people were contacted through the main communication media 
(TV, press, radio, posters). If the audiences involved and the types of measures 
carried out are compared, it can be seen that: 
* with regard to communication measures, over 90% of the audience reached during the Week by a 
major communication medium was aware of 25% of the measures carried out; 
* with regard to preventive activities with/for the public, 3% of the audience reached during the Week 
was aware of 45% of the measures carried out; 
*with regard to exchanges between professionals, less than 1% of the audience reached during the 
Week was aware of 30% of the measures carried out. 
12 The general public represents approximately 74 million people. The main medium 
was television (over 50%). Those aged under 15 represent approximately 
3.3 million people. The most appropriate medium for this audience appears to be 
radio (60% of them were reached through this medium). It should also be noted 
that 5% of them were reached through the activities addressed to them. 
Approximately 6 million 15-25 year olds were reached during the European Drug 
Prevention Week. As with those under 15, 60% were reached through 
communication media, and in particular through the mass media (press, radio, 
"Reached": at least saw an advertisement, read an article, listened to a broadcast, etc. 
5 
TV). With regard to parents, this group, although identifiable, appears to have 
been difficult for the coordinators to estimate (frequently assimilated with the 
general public). This group is quantified primarily on the basis of measures 
addressed to it. It may also be noted that a significant number of parents were 
invited to take part in various measures such as conferences, training courses and 
activities with/for the public. Although they represented less than 1% of the 
audience for the Week, approximately 100 000 professionals benefited from the 
measures carried out. These professionals were mainly from the fields of 
education (70%) and health (10%). 
n.3 Area covered by the Week 
13 The evaluation shows a heavy predominance of measures at local and regional 
level (approximately 85% of measures were carried out at these two levels) as 
well as the relatively low proportion at national level. It appears that the smaller 
the scale, the larger the proportion of preventive measures with and for the public. 
The local level therefore appears the most appropriate for a direct exchange with 
audiences. Where communication is concerned, regional and national levels were 
most widely used for information and awareness-raising (particularly with regard 
to television), and communication at local level was devoted mainly to upgrading 
initiatives (press and radio). 
* Local level accounts for 65% of measures, distributed as follows: 50% -
activities with/for the public; 30% - exchanges between professionals; 20% -
public information and awareness-raising. 
* Regional level accounts for 21% of measures, distributed as follows: 32% -
activities with/for the public; 26% - exchanges between professionals; 42% -
public information and awareness-raising. 
* National level accounts for 10% of measures, distributed as follows: 25% -
activities with/for the public; 30% - exchanges between professionals; 45% -
public information and awareness-raising. 
* Community level accounts for 4% of measures, distributed as follows: 45% -
activities with/for the public; 40% - exchanges between professionals; 15% -
public information and awareness-raising. 
It may be noted that initiatives with a Community dimension fall mainly into two 
categories: conferences and social and cultural activities. Their relatively low 
number, and the minimalist concept of a "Community dimension" adopted by the 
coordinators (participation by at least one person in another Member State) 
underline the need to encourage information exchanges very early on in the 
process of organising the Week, so that professionals may find partners easily in 
other Member States when the measures are defined. 
n.4 Financial analysis 
14 Overall expenditure by the Commission5 for the European Drug Prevention Week 
was ECU 2 921 547, covering participation in the costs of the national 
coordinating committees, national programmes and Community initiatives. Direct 
investment in the Week by the Member States, governed by contracts with the 
Commission, was ECU 12 320 076. This represents a total expenditure of 
ECU 15 241 623. The technical evaluation report on the Week highlights the 
multiplier effect of Community investment. It appears that one ECU invested by 
the Commission generated ECU 7.5 in the Member States; in fact, in addition to 
the investment highlighted in contracts between the Member States and the 
Commission, the coordinators noted a concentration of expenditure at national 
level in the field of drug prevention to coincide with the Week and investments 
by the media (space made available in the press, radio and television), 
in QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS 
15 This is a Community-level evaluation of the EDPW, tackled on the basis of the 
level of organisation of the EDPW: European (Commission and coordinating 
group), national (national coordinating committees), regional and local (promoters) 
and the types of Community measures implemented. 
HL1 Analysis by level of organisation 
III 1.1 European level 
16 For the Commission, the primary objective was to meet the Council's request, 
particularly by supporting the carrying out of measures aimed at improving 
European cooperation in the field of drug prevention and in raising the awareness 
of the (young) European audience. 
17 In addition to the role taken on by the Commission of providing impetus and 
coordination, the technical evaluation report points out that the combination of 
activities supported during the EDPW (national programmes and "Community 
initiatives") made it possible to provide a European dimension which goes beyond 
the simultaneous organisation of the event in the Member States. The Commission 
also relied on the EDPW to disseminate information on Community activities 
relating to drug prevention and affirm the Union's role in this field. These positive 
aspects are balanced by certain limitations. In particular, the coordinators have 
stressed the difficulties involved with communication and its media at European 
level and the fact that Community budget rules are poorly suited to the constraints 
of the EDPW. 
18 With regard to the coordination procedures, the European Group was used not 
only for preparing the event but also as the preferred place for exchanges between 
Details of Commission investment are given in Annex 2. 
7 
representatives of the Member States on the principles of primary prevention. The 
evaluation highlights the interest of coordinators in such a method of operation. 
The group was able to rely on the relative stability of the "home" administrations 
of the coordinators (11 of the 12 coordinators belong to administrations which 
were involved in the first European Week), and there was close matching of the 
structures to which the coordinators belonged (health administrations or 
coordination structures in the Member States) with the subject of prevention. The 
coordination network thus established offered a high degree of institutional 
coherence, which was recognised by many as a trump card in preparing and 
running the European Week. 
III. 1.2 National level 
19 The technical evaluation report presents a summary by Member State of the aims 
and working methods followed during the EDPW, together with the likely 
prospects and a series of cross-referenced data. While the theoretical approaches, 
practices and technical and financial resources may differ to some extent between 
the twelve Member States, comments confirm that the Week made it possible to 
affirm the priority given to primary prevention in the field of drug demand 
reduction policies and provided an opportunity to experiment with, launch, 
relaunch and strengthen the debate on and the methods for primary prevention. 
20 An examination of the programmes of activities developed by each Member State 
brings out some common trends, for instance the stress on a "positive approach" 
to prevention, measures at local and regional levels, the importance given to a 
multidisciplinary approach, the development of cooperation at all levels and the 
involvement of the media. A number of transnational initiatives were organised 
which, in particular, met the Week's aim of helping to strengthen European 
cooperation in combating drug addiction. 
21 The summarised presentation of the national programmes made by the 
Commission and disseminated during the EDPW makes it possible to quantify the 
many factors involved in a project of this type: political, particularly through the 
involvement of the Ministries of Health (responsible for organising the Week in 
most Member States), other Ministries (culture, education, sport, social affairs, 
foreign affairs, justice, the interior, finance, etc.) and regional and local authorities 
(Lander, regions, districts, cities, communes, etc.); budgetary, at national level; 
social, in determining target groups which differ widely from one measure to 
another: the general public, parents, young people, professionals, etc., and the 
mobilisation of a wide range of players together with recourse to a range of 
activities extending from the more traditional (conferences, training) to the more 
innovative (dance, graffiti, theatre, sporting events). The world of education 
appears to be one of the major beneficiaries of measures undertaken in the 
Member States. Analysis of the programmes highlights genuine efforts to use the 
context of the Week to reach young people within their environment. 
Ill 1.3 Regional and local level 
22 The promoters of measures gave priority to primary prevention during the Week. 
They represent the educational sector to a large extent and, to a lesser extent, the 
social and "drugs" sectors. Comments confirm that the European dimension of the 
EDPW was an important factor in their commitment to a measure. For many, the 
Week was the first concrete experience of a European-level initiative, or one in 
which the European dimension was apparent. Many players in the field also point 
out that the Week made it possible to relaunch initiatives and partnerships at local 
level. 
23 Players in the field are concerned that the European Weeks should be a time for 
upgrading their long-term initiatives, and that the possibilities for exchanging 
experience and for European cooperation on a joint project should be exploited. 
These assessments show the value of the EDPW as a European educational "tool". 
Despite the small number of European-scale measures initiated by the Member 
States, the evaluation shows that the EDPW encourages an awareness among 
players of the interest in and possibilities for cooperation at European level, with 
the aim of improving preventive practices in the long term. This refers back to the 
main aim assigned to the event by the Council. 
24 The following diagram sets out the information channels used during the EDPW. 
The introduction of a relay with the national coordinating committees facilitated 
information transfer and made it possible to establish the European Week at local 
level. During the first Week in 1992, few decentralised activities were organised 
in the Member States due to the lack of such a structure. 
Community level 
One coordinating group for the Week: 12 national coordinators and three 
Commission representatives. Role: definition of operational priorities; planning of 
projects with a Community dimension; design of the Community evaluation 
framework. 
TT 
National level 
Twelve coordinating committees: Comprising representatives of national 
authorities and regional experts in the field of drug prevention under the 
chairmanship of the national coordinator. Role:informing players in the field at 
regional and local level; planning a national action programme; monitoring the 
national programmes; summarising local evaluations. 
TT 
Regional and local level 
Players in the field: Over 1 500 associations, non-governmental organisations, 
public and private bodies active in the field of drug prevention. Role: planning and 
implementation of public awareness-raising and health promotion projects linked to 
the problem of preventing drug addiction; evaluation of the impact of the measures 
carried out. 
III.2 Analysis by type of Community initiative 
25 In addition to providing communication materials on the European Week (flags, 
television announcements, posters, press kits, summary documents and badges), 
the Commission selected four transnational initiatives which complemented the 
aims of strengthening cooperation between Member States and raising the 
awareness of the European general public: 
III. 2.1 The Aachen conference 
26 The Commission supported the organisation by the German authorities of the 
international conference to open the Week. This brought together 500 participants 
from the Member States on the subject of primary prevention of drug addiction. 
The aim was to stimulate exchanges of information and experience between 
players in the field, experts and decision-makers on subjects identified in 
conjunction with all the coordinators as being particularly relevant: 
- evaluation of measures to prevent drug addiction; 
prevention of drug addiction in schools; 
- prevention of drug addiction in the family; 
- peer-group approaches; 
the difficulty of reaching target groups for prevention; 
10 
- networks for preventing drug addiction; 
- mass drug prevention campaigns; 
- drug abuse prevention training for professionals; 
- the role of the audiovisual media in preventing drug addiction. 
27 The Aachen conference was regarded by a large majority of coordinators and by 
the participants as a major Community measure. The "participative" method of 
preparation and the subjects dealt with, in conjunction with the problems of 
primary prevention, were the main factors underlying this view. In general, the 
points of view expressed concerning the EDPW keynote conferences or events 
stress the fact that they should be planned and coordinated between Member 
States in such a way as to increase the visibility of Community measures. 
Programming should enable as many European professionals as possible to take 
part. The Commission took the opportunity afforded by the conference to help 
bring together those transnational networks active in the field of drug prevention, 
who gave a joint presentation on their activities. This initiative was aimed at 
opening the way to the development of long-term cooperation between those 
networks. 
28 To help reinforce cooperation with the countries of central and eastern Europe, 
measures were taken under the PHARE regional programme to combat drugs in 
order for the 11 beneficiary countries to be associated with the EDPW 1994. 
Representatives of the PHARE countries took part in the international conference 
to open the Week, and a number of activities were organised in these countries 
to coincide with the Week. 
Ill 2.2 The radio campaign 
29 On the basis of the experiment carried out in 1992, the Commission supported a 
European drug prevention campaign on radio, based on a partnership between 
drugs helpline services in the Member States and national, regional and local radio 
stations. The aim in so doing was to emphasise the existence of the Week, inform 
European citizens about helpline services and contribute to strengthening links 
between preventive structures of this type and a medium widely listened to by 
young audiences. The evaluation established that the campaign covered 19 
helplines in 11 Member States and involved 400 radio stations. Approximately 
5 000 preventive messages were broadcast in the Member States, and 1 500 000 
brochures and prevention and information leaflets were distributed. The telephone 
helplines involved dealt with over 51 000 calls during the campaign, representing 
an increase of up to 300% for some of them. 
30 This concerted and coherent prevention measure opened up long-term prospects: 
helping to legitimise helpline services as a means of prevention; helping to make 
services sufficiently well-known to generate calls after the campaign; helping to 
consolidate or provide impetus for the development of this activity (three new 
helplines were opened during this Week). In parallel, the Commission supported 
the production and distribution of a compact disc to promote the Week. A 
compilation of songs popular among young people, this CD included information 
11 
on existing helpline services in the Member States; by 1 January 1995, 44 000 
copies had been sold, with profits going to the European Foundation of Helpline 
Services (FES AT). The aim was to reach a specific audience of young people by 
means of a television campaign organised and financed by a production company, 
promoting drug prevention messages by well-known entertainers and presenting 
a positive alternative to drug consumption ("High on dance"). 
31 On the financial level, for each ecu invested by the Commission, the programme 
generated ECU 6.4 invested by the various media and the partners in this 
initiative. With regard to media involvement, the campaign evaluation6 shows that 
one of the imperatives was to combine prevention messages with referrals to 
helplines. Involvement of television varied between Member States. The MTV 
Europe network cooperated with this media awareness-raising campaign (reports, 
distribution of a compact disc, broadcasting on teletext of the telephone numbers 
of helplines involved in the campaign in all Member States during and after the 
Week. 
32 Improvements to be made to future campaigns of this type should concentrate on 
strengthening synergy with national programmes by associating the coordinators 
more closely in the implementation and on reinforcing the European dimension 
of the campaign for all players involved. 
III.2.3 First encounters: "Drugs and images" 
33 As part of a project based on audiovisual means of prevention, the Commission 
supported the establishment and distribution of the first European film and video 
library on the subject of drug prevention and the production of a video film 
setting out the priorities of television drug prevention campaigns carried out in the 
Member States. The aim was to support an analysis of such campaigns and to 
stimulate a learned, comparative discussion of the subject. 
34 The group of coordinators played an active role in designing these tools, which 
were distributed in the Member States and promoted at the Aachen conference. 
The technical evaluation analyses the medium-term prospects for the work of the 
network established at the time of this production, bringing together a discussion 
of the place of images in prevention strategies in Europe and the production of 
documents to meet the needs of local players. This initiative corresponds to a 
possible model for the development of European networks: 
- a theme linked to primary prevention borne by a structure based on experience 
in the field of drugs; 
- significant support for this structure by a Member State; 
- the bringing together of equivalent expertise in each Member State to provide 
an example to follow; 
Cf. final report No 94CVVF1-201-0 on the evaluation of the European awareness-raising campaign -
BSS - 1994. 
12 
- the defining of medium-term objectives at European level using the Week as the 
chosen starting point for discussion or realisation. 
35 It is noteworthy that, with support from the Commission, the library has now been 
updated and supplemented (particularly to cover the three new Member States) in 
parallel with an evaluation of the procedures for structuring a European 
audiovisual network for drug prevention. 
m.3. Impact of the European Week on European citizens 
36 The second European Drug Prevention Week has made it possible to design a 
methodological framework to support the simultaneous or coordinated 
implementation of drug prevention measures at Union level, helping to clarify the 
role which the Community could play. The information collected confirms the 
scale of the Week with regard to the number and range of measures undertaken, 
the level of commitment by Member States and by those involved and the 
audience reached. 
37 However, the data do not allow measurement of the actual impact of the event on 
European citizens. With regard to assessing changes in behaviour over the 
medium to long term, which are the aim of the prevention campaigns, specialists 
agree that there are no reliable methods. Mention must be made of the role which 
the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction can play in this 
respect; its first three-year work programme, in particular, makes provision for 
mobilising capital and the working networks of the two EDPWs to establish an 
information system with particular regard to the scientific evaluation of preventive 
measures. 
38 In the context of the regular monitoring of citizens' attitudes and opinions on the 
scourges of cancer, AIDS and drug addiction7, the Commission subsequently 
financed a survey on drugs. While not designed to provide information directly 
relevant to the EDPW, the survey gives a recent snapshot of European opinion on 
the following six subjects: attitudes to drug users and drugs; the reasons people 
take drugs; knowledge of and access to various drugs; priorities in combating 
drugs; opinions on the treatment of drug addiction; opinions on urine testing. On 
most subjects, the report largely confirms the trends shown in the previous 
Eurobarometers. A detailed analysis is to be published. 
This survey follows on from three others carried out in 1989, 1990 and 1992 on the perceptions, 
attitudes and opinions of Europeans on drugs (Institut d'Hygiène et Epidemiologic (1992) and INRA 
(1990 and 1991)). It was carried out simultaneously in the 15 Member States of the European Union 
in the context of the two successive Eurobarometer surveys (43.0 - 43.1) between March and May 
1995. A representative sample of the national population aged 15 and above were asked 12 multiple-
choice questions. In all, approximately 18 500 people were interviewed, with an additional sample of 
young people aged between 15 and 24. A total of 3 031 interviews were carried out with young people 
aged between 15 and 24. 
13 
39 The data collected via these surveys reflect current opinion among Europeans. In 
the medium term, such periodic data will provide a valuable source of information 
on trends in the attitudes and behaviour of Europeans with regard to drugs. 
IV. GUIDELINES FOR REPEATING THE EDPW 
40 Despite the difficulties in obtaining an absolute estimate, cross-checking the 
information available in the Member States would appear to show that drug 
addiction is on the increase. Efforts must therefore be stepped up on all fronts to 
combat drugs. Where young people are concerned, the priority is the primary 
prevention of drug addiction. 
41 The organisation of new European Drug Prevention Weeks on the basis of 
experience acquired is one of the measures recommended by the Commission, the 
European Parliament8 and the Council9 under the first programme of Community 
action on the prevention of drug dependence10. The Commission will be 
responsible for implementation, in close cooperation with the Member States and 
assisted by the Committee to be established by the Decision concerning the 
programme. 
42 This report provides a basis for discussion and guidance on the organisation of 
future Weeks. While the principle of repeating the Week is supported by all those 
involved in the 1994 EDPW, the technical evaluation shows that their level of 
commitment will be affected by methodological, organisational and conceptual 
choices made at Union level. In due course, the Commission will present to the 
Committee a draft of measures to be taken, based on the following elements: 
43 The frequency recommended by the majority of those taking part in the evaluation 
of the 1994 EDPW is three years, with a number of successive Weeks being 
planned. The Commission also considers that a three-year interval would optimise 
the conditions for preparing measures and make it possible to take account of the 
budgetary implications. A decision on the date and organisational procedures for 
the next EDPW should be taken once the above-mentioned Decision on the 
programme of Community action is taken. 
44 The question of the frequency of the Week has often been linked to that of a 
thematic review. The Commission considers that the guiding principle for the 
Weeks should be their contribution to improving cooperation in Europe and to a 
"citizens' Europe" in the field of public health. The EDPWs will thus have to be 
based on drug prevention strategies developed over the long term, and help to 
promote best practices and results obtained within the Community. The Week 
could be dedicated to particular subjects or targets, which could be identified in 
conjunction with the priorities of the programme for preventing drug dependence. 
8 
9 
10 Opinion on first reading, 20 September 1995. 
Health Council of 2 June 1995. 
COM(94) 223 final, 21 June 1994. 
14 
45 With regard to activities receiving Community financial support, closer attention 
should be given to measuring their Community added value (dissemination of 
information and experience, operations by European networks, projects with a 
European dimension). 
46 Where the organisational structure of the Week is concerned, the evaluation shows 
the relevance of a European coordinating group and of national coordinating 
committees. The function of the coordinators as interfaces between national and 
European levels is considered essential. They are regulators who must ensure 
correspondence between national and European objectives and incorporate the 
latter effectively into the projects submitted to them. An alternative should be 
examined in due course: the Committee established under the Decision on the 
programme could meet as a European coordinating group for the Week, or a 
specific group of coordinators could be established along the lines of the model 
for the 1994 EDPW. 
47 The task of the national coordinating committees must be defined in such a way 
as to enable promotion of the Week at national and local level, with dissemination 
of its objectives and procedures and criteria for participation and support; 
examination and preselection of projects on the basis of criteria drawn up by the 
European coordinating group where co-financed programmes are concerned; 
monitoring of their implementation and participation in the evaluation; and 
distribution of materials. 
48 Motivating and mobilising all the players involved is an essential prerequisite for 
the success of the Week. This commitment is linked to the more general question 
of informing the authorities, those involved and the general public about 
Community activities in the field in question. In addition to routine information 
on Community activities, a communication strategy should be drawn up very early 
on in the process of organising the Week, to provide a context for the event in 
relation to the Community prevention programme on the one hand and to 
disseminate practical information on opportunities for transnational partnerships 
on the other. 
49 In accordance with the provisions relating to international cooperation in the 
Community action programme for the prevention of drug dependence, cooperation 
with third countries should be considered at an early stage when preparing the 
next Week. 
50 The procedures for evaluating the Week should also be dealt with very early on 
in the organisational process, if necessary with the support of the European 
Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. 
51 Financial procedures and contractual procedures for supporting national 
programmes should, while complying with existing regulations, take into account 
as much as possible the specific organisational characteristics of the Week. 
15 
V. ANNEXES 
ANNEX 1 THE EDPW 1994 IN RELATION TO COMMISSION ACTIVITIES IN THIS 
FIELD: REPORT 1993-94 
Over the period in question, Community action in support of activities in the Member 
States to prevent drug dependence saw developments in terms of both quality and 
quantity. This trend is the result in particular of an evaluation carried out in 1991 of 
projects supported since 1988, the first year in which a budget was allocated to this field. 
Its characteristic feature is a structuring, on the basis of conclusions, resolutions and 
declarations by the Council and the Ministers for Health, of the fields of activity likely 
to benefit from Community support: information for the public and certain target groups; 
education and training; reduction of risks; early detection; social and occupational 
rehabilitation; data collection; formulation of the research and dissemination of the results. 
Another characteristic is the building-in of a trans-European dimension in the projects 
supported, with backing for the establishment of cross-border regional or European 
networks, their expansion and their coordinated activity programmes. This trend reflects 
a concern to avoid spreading too thinly the budget available for Community action in this 
field of activity, while meeting the criteria for subsidiarity and Community added value 
and ensuring optimum cost-effectiveness. Such an approach over the long term 
encourages the development at transnational level of lasting activities. It also produces 
a knock-on effect, encouraging the expansion or establishment of other networks. This 
effect also makes possible a rapid appraisal, for all Member States covered, of trends in 
drug use (new drugs, new methods of consumption, etc.) and the correlative transfer of 
best practices. The 1994 EDPW benefited from the experience of a number of these 
networks, which were involved in the planning of the Week. In addition, at the Week's 
opening conference, the Commission encouraged exchanges of information between these 
networks. In parallel with the support provided for the networks, the Commission 
supported exchanges of experience, information and good practice between the Member 
States and measures to help strengthen cooperation between national structures and 
NGOs. All projects submitted to the Commission were evaluated prior to the commitment 
of Community funds. In this transitional period preceding the adoption of the five-year 
Community programme for the prevention of drug dependence, projects are selected by 
the Commission on the basis of applications for financing from organisations working in 
the field of drug prevention and evaluated in accordance with the following criteria: 
-The first consists of measuring the relevance of a project within the general framework 
of Community action to prevent drug dependence. Particular attention has been given to 
projects concerned with informing the public and young people and with training. 
-The second criterion involves participation in the proposed measure by the Member 
States of the European Union. Projects involving only one Member State or non-member 
countries were not accepted. The idea was to select projects offering a Community added 
value, taking particular account of the level at which activity is carried out. 
-The third relates to the clarity and precision of the activities which an organisation 
intends to implement during a given period. The aim is to co-finance projects and not to 
16 
subsidise the setting-up or operating costs of structures. Evaluation of measures 
undertaken and the intended follow-up are also taken into account. 
-The final criterion is based on an assessment of the financial dimension of projects. The 
Commission provides financial support for projects, but cannot provide total financing. 
Budget estimates are carefully examined and compared. Particular attention is paid to 
projects receiving support from national, regional or local authorities. 
Based on the applications submitted to it, the Commission has tried to strike a balance 
in the distribution of funds between Member States. All Member States have been 
involved in the implementation of projects and, in particular, in the activities of the 
networks. On this basis, out of a total of 242 applications for financing presented to the 
Commission for 1993 and 1994, 41 were selected, amounting to ECU 3 884 149. In 
addition, 32 projects and/or action programmes received a total of ECU 2 921 54711 for 
organising the European Drug Prevention Week 1994. The budget data are as follows: 
between 1993 and 1994, the Commission supported activities by seven networks with an 
investment of ECU 1 440 028, representing 37.7% of the available budget, excluding the 
EDPW. Total allocation 1993: MECU 3.3: 29 contracts amounting to ECU 2 597 424, 
i.e. an average of ECU 89 566.44 per contract, including support for five networks 
amounting to ECU 603 060, representing 23% of 1993 expenditure excluding the EDPW. 
Total allocation 1994: MECU 3.3: 12 contracts totalling ECU 1 286 725, i.e. an average 
of ECU 107 227 per contract, including support for four networks amounting to ECU 
836 968, representing 65.05% of 1994 expenditure excluding the EDPW. 
Examples of Community initiatives since 1993, characterised by their scale and impact, 
are set out below by area of activity. 
Raising public awareness: In addition to measures supported in connection with the 
European Drug Prevention Week, the Commission financed ten projects in this field. For 
example: over the period in question, the Commission supported action programmes by 
the European Foundation of Drugs Helplines, including the award of grants to 
professionals wishing to improve their knowledge of the operating methods of their 
colleagues in other Member States, the running of training courses for newly established 
services, a transnational discussion on assessing the services and the production of 
reference documents in relation to helplines. The Foundation's network was also heavily 
involved in the second radio-based prevention campaign supported by the Commission 
during the 1994 EDPW. This commitment illustrates the opportunities for linking the 
European Weeks with long-term primary prevention measures. Since 1991, the 
Commission has supported the networking of these helpline services. The content and 
form of and means of disseminating preventive messages must be adapted to the intended 
target. In order to support exchanges of information and good practice in this field, the 
Commission co-financed a series of seminars on innovative approaches to the prevention 
of drug dependence, held in the United Kingdom and involving experts from Germany, 
Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France and the World Health Organisation. The seminars 
were intended for both the exchange of specific information and the initiation of long-
term cooperation. 
Health education: The concept of health education refers to global strategies aimed at 
promoting healthy lifestyles. The measures proposed as part of the Community 
11 The increase from MECU 6.6 to 6.8 was made possible by the Bourlanges procedure. 
17 
programme on health promotion, information, education and training12 follow this 
generalist approach. Operations specifically aimed at preventing drug use in a school or 
extra-curricular environment, involving young people, teachers, parents and all who play 
a role in education, are a useful complement to the measures currently carried out under 
the programme. The Commission supported three projects in this field. Those active in 
the field of drug prevention in the Rhine-Meuse-Moselle Basin formed a network in 1986. 
In 1993-94, with Commission assistance, this network held two summer schools on the 
subject of drug prevention in the school and extra-curricular environment, giving around 
100 teachers and social workers from the regions concerned the opportunity to acquire 
basic theoretical and technical knowledge for drawing up and carrying out coordinated 
drug prevention measures adapted to their audience and taking account of existing best 
practices. It also promoted training courses on drug prevention aimed at elected local 
representatives in the Rhine-Meuse-Moselle Basin. This network played an active part in 
the 1994 EDPW. Drug problems do not necessarily develop at school. Since the end of 
the 1980s a form of drug prevention has been developing which could be defined as a 
global and Community approach. The aim is to create momentum at municipal level for 
supporting and monitoring young people, involving as many young people themselves as 
possible, their parents, teachers, social workers and anyone interested in becoming 
involved in local prevention strategies. On the basis of experience gathered in the 
German-speaking community of Belgium with regard to a global and Community 
approach, a series of similar initiatives have been launched in Germany, Portugal and 
Luxembourg. A touring European theatre group, "Jeunes d'Europe en jeu", comprising 
former drug addicts supported by artists and social workers, has made it possible to open 
debates in France, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom with adolescents and 
young adults from "disadvantaged" backgrounds on drug addiction and the associated 
risks. It has also made accessible to other young people a series of messages produced 
by their peers. 
Training: The effective implementation of coordinated drug-prevention measures requires 
suitably trained professionals and/or volunteers. Ten projects in this field were supported 
by the Commission, including: the activities of a federation (established in 1991) of 62 
institutions from Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal 
and the United Kingdom involved in reducing drug demand, aimed at promoting inter-
institutional exchanges and carrying out training using the professionals' ability for joint 
training. In 1994, 80 courses were run with Commission support by social and medical 
professionals in 44 institutions distributed among nine Member States. In addition, a 
summer school in Portugal brought together 100 professionals on the subject: "Prevention 
of drug addiction and public health requirements: what are the responses?". Professionals 
in the prison sector are faced with the problem of a significant drug addict population in 
the Member States of the European Union, and are particularly interested in additional 
training to enable them to adopt an approach geared to this specific audience. Over the 
period in question, the Commission supported the strengthening of a network of prison 
and non-prison personnel in Belgium, France (Lorraine), Luxembourg, Germany 
(Saarland) and the Netherlands (Limbourg). The aim of the project was to exchange 
experience, by means of training courses, on practices in different prisons, enabling 
practices to be transposed where appropriate. 
12 COM(94)202 final, 1 June 1994. 
COM(95)138 final, 18 April 1995. 
18 
Reduction of risks: Drug addicts as a group are difficult to reach using traditional 
information and prevention systems. Nevertheless, they are a priority in preventive 
strategies in so far as the health risks arising from drug use are considerable. In addition 
to the activities carried out under the "Europe against ADDS" programme, four projects 
were supported in this field during the period in question. In particular, at the instigation 
of an organisation in the Netherlands, a pilot project was set up on the basis of a 
transnational network covering six Member States (Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, 
Spain, Germany and Belgium). The aim of this project is to train professionals and drug 
addicts in prevention of the health risks associated with drug use, particularly HIV 
infection, and to produce information material on the problems associated with drug use, 
lower-risk methods of drug use and information on opportunities for care and support in 
the various Member States. 
Early detection and surveillance: In response to a request from the Council and the 
Ministers of Health meeting within the Council of 16 May 198913, the Commission 
supported a pilot study by a Spanish research centre to examine the reliability of 
screening tests for illicit drugs in body fluids, in which 195 laboratories in the Member 
States took part14. 
Social and occupational rehabilitation: Drug addicts are marginalised by their 
dependence. After a difficult course of detoxification and re-education into a life without 
drugs, they must be reintegrated into society, and the risks of a relapse are great. The 
Commission supported a pilot initiative in this field aimed at involving people who have 
broken their dependence of drugs in sports training leading to a qualification. The project 
also included a series of training courses in high-risk sports techniques aimed at social 
workers in the field of drug prevention in France, Belgium and Germany. 
Data collection: In order to provide a tangible basis for planning preventive measures, 
it is essential to have reliable and precise information on the drugs phenomenon. In 
particular, the Commission supported the establishment of the European Monitoring 
Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, whose first three-year work programme is devoted 
to the demand (and reducing the demand) for drugs. In parallel, the Commission 
supported six projects in this field during the period in question, including a review of 
laws, regulations and practices for the use of methadone in the Member States, carried 
out by a research centre with the aim of obtaining a snapshot of the situation which 
would be of use to political decision-makers and experts in the Member States, and a 
report on the drug problem in the prison system, following up a Council Resolution of 
11 November 199115, which provided a basis for the organisation in Athens in March 
1994 of an international conference with the assistance of the Pompidou Group. At the 
close of this conference, the 500 participants, including representatives of the Member 
States, produced a series of recommendations on the care of drug addicts in a prison 
environment. 
13 
14 
15 Conclusions of the Council and the Ministers for Health of the Member States meeting within the 
Council of 16 May 1989 concerning the reliability of tests on body fluids to detect the use of illicit 
drugs (OJ C 185, 22.7.1989, p. 2). 
The conclusions are listed in the Commission staff working paper on tests to detect the use of drugs 
(SEC(95) 667). 
Resolution of the Council and the Ministers for Health meeting within the Council of 11 November 
1991 on the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts serving sentences for criminal offences (OJ C 
91, 23.11.1991, p. 7). 
19 
Formulation of research and dissemination of results: As with data collection, 
dissemination of research results is essential for drawing up preventive strategies in 
relation to drug addiction. The Commission supported six projects in this field during the 
period in question, including the dissemination of scientific information on matters 
relating to drugs by means of a British magazine translated into two languages and 
distributed without cost to professionals in the other Member States, and computerisation 
and provision to researchers or other interested people of "grey" literature on the care of 
drug addicts, i.e. 1 850 documents made accessible in the form of a database. 
This report shows that measures aimed at increasing public awareness and providing 
health education and training account for nearly 55% of the projects which received 
Community support. Such measures are also at the heart of the initiatives undertaken in 
the context of the 1994 European Drug Prevention Week. 
BUDGET SUMMARY 
Non EDPW grants: distribution by Member State 1993-94 
Total in ECU 
Member State 
France 
Germany 
United Kingdom 
Belgium 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Denmark 
Portugal 
Spain 
Italy 
Ireland 
Greece 
Total per Member State 
Total allocated % Contracts 
740.151,76 19,05 8 
245.167,36 6,31 5 
323.968,00 8,34 5 
205.111,00 5,28 4 
241.811,00 6,22 2 
806.985,00 20,77 4 
83.500,00 2,14 1 
0,00 0,00 0 
305.625,00 7,86 3 
38.300,00 0,98 1 
67.892,00 1,74 2 
825.638,00 21,25 6 
3.884.149,12 41 •/• 
19,51 
12,19 
12,19 
9,75 
4,87 
9,75 
2,43 
0,00 
7,31 
2,43 
4,87 
14,63 Participation" 
9,78% 
10,14% 
9,05% 
9,42% 
7,60% 
8,69% 
6,52% 
9,05% 
8,33% 
9,78% 
6,88% 
4,71% 
Summary by area off activity 1 §93-84; non-EDPW 
Area of activity 
1. Raising public awareness 
2. Health education 
3. Training 
4. Reduction of risks 
5. Early detection and surveillance 
6. Social and occupational rehabilitation 
7. Data collection 
8. Formulation of research and dissemination of 
results 
Overall total % Total committed 
28,45 1.108.668,00 
3,51 140.040,00 
25,19 982.084,76 
9,45 370.818,00 
5,82 197.746,00 
2,05 83.333,00 
22,08 863.237,00 
3,45 138.222,36 
3.884.140,12 
16 Degree of participation by Member States in the projects supported. 
20 
ANNEX 2 
European Drug Prevention Week 1994 
Year Member State 
France 
Germany 
United Kingdom 
Belgium 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 93 
94 
94 
94 
94 
93 
94 
93 
94 
93 
94 
Camp 
93 
94 
94 
93 
94 
93 
94 Subject 
Committee17 
Programme11 
Evaluation 
Video 
Video 
Committee 
Programme 
Conference 
Conference 
Committee 
Programme 
Radio campaign 
Committee 
Programme 
Summaries 
Committee 
Programme 
Committee 
Programme Amaat 
60.000,00 
130.000,00 
44.400,00 
165.000,00 
24.000,00 
49.300,00 
143.128,00 
267.753,00 
275.900,00 
60.000,00 
136.959,00 
254.945,00 
20.985,00 
67.499,00 
4.164,00 
0,00 
54.006,00 
53.300,00 
71.492,00 Total 
443.400,00 
736.283,00 
451.904,00 
92.648,00 
54.006,00 
124.792,00 
Denmark 
Portugal 93 
94 
93 
94 
94 Committee 
Programme 
Communication 
Committee 
Programme 58.950,00 
49.133,00 
196.000,00 
60.000,00 
75.000,00 304.083,00 
135.000,00 
Italy 
Ireland 
Greece 93 
94 
93 
94 
93 
94 
93 
94 Committee 
Programme 
Committee 
Programme 
Committee 
Programme 
Committee 
Programme 
32 contracts 
EDPW 93: ECU 921 271 50.081,00 
150.000,00 
0,00 
150.000,00 
44.700,00 
50.000,00 
60.000,00 
74.650,00 
EDPW 94: ECU 1 940 276 200.081.00 
150.000,00 
94.700,00 
134.650,00 
2.921.547,00 
17 
It Cf. I. 5. 
Cf. I. 6. 
21 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 71 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 05 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-078-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-00766-8 
Office for Official Publications of me European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
2 d.