RESOLUTION on drugs

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to its resolution of 9 October 1986 (1) on concerted action to resolve the drugs problem, which was based on the recommendation of Parliament's Committee of Inquiry into the Problem of Drugs,

(1) OJ No C 283, 10.11.1986, p. 79.

B. whereas the Committee of Inquiry primarily gave consideration to drugs of plant origin: heroin, cocaine and cannabis,

C. whereas there is increasing awareness of the dangers of the use of synthetic drugs (in particular tranquillizers, barbiturates etc.), a problem which was among those discussed at the United Nations Conference,

D. whereas the Commission took part in the preparatory work on the negotiation of an International Convention on illicit trade in narcotics and psychotropic substances,

1. Welcomes the statement made by Commissioner Ripa di Meana at the United Nations conference in Vienna, in which he paid due tribute to the initiative of the European Parliament in tackling the drugs problem at Community level;

2. Considers that the Commission's grant of 500 000 ECU to UNFDAC constitutes a significant contribution in terms of aid to developing countries in the field of crop conversion programmes;

3. Acknowledges, however, that this aid will have to be substantially increased in order suitably to demonstrate the Community's commitment to such programmes, as expressed in the abovementioned resolution;

4. Notes the 7-point plan approved by the Council of Ministers of the Interior at its meeting in London on 20 October 1986 and which incorporates several of Parliament's recommendations for action to the Council; expects the Commission, however, to submit more specific proposals in these areas;

5. Regrets that only Ministers of the Interior have met at EC level to discuss drug problems and calls on the President-in-Office of the Council of Ministers to call a Summit meeting of Ministers of the Interior, Health, Social Affairs and Education as soon as possible to review present drug policies;

6. Notes that the only proposal for action which has been submitted at Community level consists of a non-binding communication which deals only with the aspects of the problem affecting health and preventive education and that, in any case, the appropriations proposed for 1988 are totally insufficient;

7. Urges the Commission to submit binding proposals in the field of drug trafficking after the preparatory work on the new International Convention;

8. Believes that, in order to combat drug trafficking effectively, harmonization of the various national laws and coordination at European level of national searches for drug traffickers are urgently necessary;

9. Recalls its request to the Commission of 9 October 1986 to hold a European conference to assess the different policies for combating drug abuse so as to gain a better understanding of the various problems involved;

10. Deplores the fact that the European Community has also become a producer and exporter of synthetic drugs for illegal markets in Third World countries;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the United Nations Conference on drug abuse.