WRITTEN QUESTION E-0007/00

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(19 January 2000)

Subject: Measures to combat drugs in the Region of Lazio

In its Decision No 5057 of 5 October 1999 the Region of Lazio laid down the criteria for allocating funding to combat drugs. The decision sets strict conditions for policies in the sector, especially at local authority level, obliging such authorities to comply with the provisions established by the regional government. Instead of laying down the criteria and terms for the submission of applications for funding, leaving scope for public and private projects (as intended in Law No 45/99), the decision specifies in detail both the content and form of measures, all of which are aimed at damage limitation. All of this happens without in any way involving the local authorities (as specified by the law), which are by their very nature closer to the territory involved. This has prompted some of them, for example the local authority of Latina, to lodge an appeal with the Administrative Court of Lazio. The Decision inhibits prevention measures, since according to its terms only projects targeting individuals at risk are eligible for funding, whereas there should be more scope for prevention, as envisaged in the law and in many Community decisions. The decision does not make provision for curing addicts. Since funding is envisaged for returning addicts to work and the concept of rehabilitation is replaced by damage limitation, the implication is that in the Region of Lazio the people who are to be found jobs are those who still use drugs, rather than those who have been cured, which is tantamount to legalising drugs.

In view of the above, can the Commission say:

1. whether it does not consider that the Regional decree is clearly in conflict with Community decisions, which indicate that the priority for the Member States should be prevention and cure;

2. whether it does not consider that the decision is in conflict with the principles of subsidiarity underpinning the European Union, which would entail the involvement of the local authorities most immediately concerned, possibly with the assistance of non-profit making associations and organisations;

3. whether there is any documentation drawn up by the Commission or the Drugs Monitoring Centre in Lisbon on examples of good practice in the fight against drugs?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2000)

Since 1995 the Commission has emphasised that effective action to combat drugs required a comprehensive and integrated approach. This does not mean that everyone must fight on all fronts and at all levels at the same time. It means that co-ordination and interaction of players and approaches must be ensured to reach maximum efficiency.

The Commission would reply to the three specific points underlined by the Honourable Member as follows:

1. In the Commission's communication on a European Union action plan to combat drugs (2000-2004)(1) a comprehensive approach is considered to be the best strategy to meet future problems. Such an approach should cover all areas of drug abuse prevention, from discouraging the initial use to reducing the negative health and social consequences of drug abuse. This approach should indeed be grounded in a comprehensive strategy that can be used to drive the cost-effective allocation of resources.

2. In areas like drug issues, which do not fall within its exclusive competence, the Community in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, shall take action only if and insofar as the objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States. On this basis the Commission could not intervene in decisions taken on a regional or local level.

3. The European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (EMCDDA) publishes an annual report on the state of the drugs problem in the Community which gives an up-to-date picture of trends and patterns in drug use in Europe. Information on evaluated European drug demand reduction projects is also available on the Internet, through the web site of the (http://www.emcdda.org/). This offers a valuable tool for learning from experience of similar kinds of projects elsewhere in the Community.

(1) COM(99) 239 final.