WRITTEN QUESTION E-0931/03

by Jorge Moreira Da Silva (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2003)

Subject: Policy on reducing the risks of drug dependency

Our policy on combating drug dependency has proved a failure. Trafficking has thrived on prohibitionism, proliferating and becoming ever more profitable, providing a boost for organised crime and petty delinquency, corrupting regimes and humiliating us for our inability to tackle it.

On the other hand, from the point of view of public health, concern is sparked not only by the physical and mental harm caused by drug dependency, but also, owing to the number of people using injectable drugs almost one million in the European Union by the health risks linked to infection with HIV and hepatitis C among drug dependents, as well as the growing number of deaths caused by overdoses and poisoning. It might be pointed out that mortality among opiate users is 20 times higher than that of the population in general.

In the context of policy on reducing the risks of drug dependency:

1. What is the Commission's assessment of the methadone substitution programmes carried out at Member State level?

2. Does the Commission not consider that pilot programmes involving the administration of opiates under medical supervision to sufferers with a long history of unsuccessful treatments, such as those carried out in Bern, Liverpool and most recently in Asturias, should be analysed by the Commission and implemented in the remaining countries? It might be pointed out that those programmes achieved positive results, namely a reduction in crime, in the number of overdoses and deaths from poisoning, and in the number of cases of infection with HIV and hepatitis C.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 April 2003)

1. The Commission itself has not conducted any study on the methadone substitution programmes carried out at Member State level, but the preparation of an inventory of risk reduction methods used in the Member States is planned for 2003 in collaboration with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

The EMCDDA commissioned a study of substitution treatment in all 15 Member States and published the results in a book called Reviewing current practice in drug-substitution treatment in the European Union in 2000. This study concludes that substitution treatment leads to increased physical, psychological, and social well-being and reduces criminality.

2. The Commission cannot comment on individual programmes in Member States. The Commission has supported pilot projects addressing methadone substitution programmes within the Community Action Programme against drugs and drug dependence, such as the work of the network Euro-Methwork. It currently supports the project Quality Improvement Substitution Treatment in Europe. The aim of this project is to stimulate in the European Region the provision of substitution treatment to opiate addicts for whom this medication is indicated, and that the provision of substitution treatment is done in a professional manner.

In December 2002, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council recommendation on the prevention and reduction of risks associated with drug dependence, based on Article 152 of the EC Treaty. The Parliament gave a favourable opinion on the proposed recommendation in February 2002, and the recommendation is expected to be adopted by the Council shortly. Member States are recommended to provide comprehensive substitution treatment, supported by adequate psycho-social care and to take into account that a wide variety of different treatment options, including drug-free treatment, should be made available according to the drug user's needs. Member States are also recommended to establish measures to prevent diversion of substitution substances while ensuring appropriate access to treatment.