WRITTEN QUESTION E-0904/00

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) and Minerva Malliori (PSE) to the Commission

(25 March 2000)

Subject: Steep rise in drug abuse among European schoolchildren

According to the annual report of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the use of cannabis among European schoolchildren has risen very sharply: about one third of pupils in secondary education in France, 25 % of thirteen year-olds in the United Kingdom and 69 % of young people who go to techno music parties in Germany have experimented with the drug; there has also been an increase in the use of the synthetic drugs Ecstasy and LSD, since young people associate these drugs with having fun. The report also states that Albania has become a major producer of cannabis which is channelled mainly through Greece, Italy and Slovenia; furthermore, the provision of information about the cultivation of the plant and its derivatives through the Internet has led to a sharp increase in domestic production of drugs. Will the Commission say whether it knows which factors are responsible for the dramatic increase in the use of cannabis and what steps have been taken to harmonise legislation and the position of the European Union on the use of narcotic substances?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(18 May 2000)

The Commission is aware of the information presented in the annual report of the International narcotics control board (INCB). The upward trend in the use of cannabis and synthetic drugs among schoolchildren is also confirmed by the latest annual report of the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (EMCDDA) in Lisbon. The proportion of 15- to 16 year-olds inside the Community who report cannabis use ranges from 5 % to 40 % whereas the proportion of those who have used synthetic drugs (amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD) varies from 1 % to 13 %.

On the supply side, the latest report from Europol confirms large-scale cultivation of cannabis in Albania but states also that 85 % of the cannabis resin seized in the Community originates from Morocco. Increasing production of cannabis and the manufacture of synthetic drugs in the Community are also challenges identified in the Commission communication on a Community action plan to combat drugs (2000-2004) that formed the basis for the Community drug strategy (2000-2004) endorsed in the European Council in December 1999. Furthermore, the Commission is working together with the Portuguese Presidency to prepare a Community action plan on drugs (2000-2004) that

will contain concrete measures for achieving the targets set in the Community drug strategy. The strategy and the action plan set up a common framework for drug related actions inside the Community.

The strategy also emphasises the importance of facing the challenges posed by modern technology like the Internet. On the other hand, Internet may also be used for drug demand reduction.

As the Honourable Members know, defining the underlying reasons of drug use is beyond the scope of this answer. Reasons leading to drug use are a complicated mixture of social, economic and cultural factors. In general, ecstasy-type synthetic drugs are most often used at clubs and dance parties during weekends. The increased use of cannabis among young people has connections with different youth cultures and drugs are often used instead of alcohol. Innovative demand reduction approaches are needed to take into account the specific characteristics of these groups of drug users.

Drug legislation falls mostly within the competence of the Member States. Despite differences in legislation on drug addiction and drug-related crimes, the practice in Member States is increasingly convergent. Harmonisation of legislation is only needed when there is a legal vacuum, like with the control of new synthetic drugs. The joint action on new synthetic drugs(1) may be used to place substances under control in all Member States. It has been used to control a substance called 4-MTA. The Commission also intends to launch a study on common definitions, incrimination and sanctions regarding drug trafficking.

(1) OJ L 167, 25.6.1997.