WRITTEN QUESTION E-2206/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 November 1999)

Subject: The fight against synthetic drugs: Community initiatives and application of Parliament's resolution

There is considerable alarm in Italy once again over traffic in and consumption of synthetic drugs, which have flooded the market and have taken particular hold amongst young people. Each year 180 000 ecstasy tablets are confiscated; this represents a mere 5 % of total consumption. In 1998 the European Parliament (in its resolution on the control of new synthetic drugs OJ C 167, 1.6.1998) urgently raised the issue of the traffic in and consumption of synthetic drugs and called on both Member States and the Commission to gather information on such drugs, notably with regard to their impact and side-effects, as well as any long-term damage they might cause, and to promote research in this field.

Article 129 of the Amsterdam Treaty stipulates that Community action, which should complement national policies, should be directed towards reducing the harmful impact of drugs on human health and should promote information and prevention.

How does the Commission intend to set about curbing and drastically reducing the manufacture and consumption of synthetic drugs?

Has the Commission ascertained whether all the Member States have brought into effect international legislation on the control of synthetic drugs?

What has the Commission done to inform European citizens, particularly young people, of the often irreparable damage caused by the use of such drugs?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 1999)

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member about the rising problems caused by synthetic drugs. In its recent communication of 26 May 1999 on a European action plan to combat drugs (2000-2004)(1), great attention is given to the increasing trends in use and production of synthetic drugs.

This communication shows that the problem can be reduced using legislation; action against production and trafficking, including improved co-operation between national authorities and the chemical industry, in particular concerning precursors; international co-operation; and action on demand reduction through information and other preventive approaches.

On 16 June 1997, concerned that differences in legislation on new synthetic drugs between the Member States would lead to legal vacuums and problems of co-operation and control, the Council adopted a joint action 97/396/JHA regarding the information exchange, risk assessment and control of new synthetic drugs(2). This joint action establishes an early warning system which identifies and exchanges information on new synthetic drugs as soon as they arrive on the European market, co-ordinated by the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (Emcdda) and Europol. Although this system is primarily intended to control the consumption and production of new synthetic drugs, it also constitutes a relevant and timely tool for the rapid adoption of prevention strategies and activities particularly directed to young people. So far, risk assessments have been carried out on two synthetic drugs MBDB and 4-MTA.

On 13 September 1999 the Council(3) adopted a unanimous decision defining 4-MTA as a substance to be placed under control in all Member States, stating that Member States shall take the necessary measures in accordance with their national laws.

In addition, all Member States have ratified the three relevant United Nations (UN) conventions and report yearly to the UN on their implementation. The Commission has no information on any non-compliance with these conventions.

As for preventive measures, the Commission has launched and co-financed three European drug prevention weeks, all with strong elements of realistic information on the risks and damage caused by illegal drug use. The 1994 and 1998 weeks were specifically addressed actions against new synthetic drugs and young people.

In addition, a number of large scale preventive networks have been set up on a transnational level, with financial support from the Commission. Many of these networks produce and distribute information, in the form of brochures, booklets and on Internet.

In the Community action programme on the prevention of drug dependence (1996-2000), new usage trends, multiple drug dependence and young people have been and still are a priority, stated in the annual work programmes. Several projects have been funded aiming at improving methods and practices in order to cope with the use of ecstasy, amphetamine and other synthetic drugs.

The new European Union Drug Strategy (2000-2004) adopted by the Council on 6 December 1999, underlines that the situation concerning new synthetic drugs requires constant attention.

(1) COM(1999) 239 final.

(2) OJ L 167, 25.6.1997.

(3) COM(1999) 307 final.