WRITTEN QUESTION E-3452/00

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(7 November 2000)

Subject: Annual report on the state of the drugs problem

In the past few days the 2000 Annual report on the state of the drugs problem in the European Union was published. It represents an important opportunity to examine for the first time the results of the strategy for the period 2000-2004 adopted by the European Union at the Helsinki European Council in 1999.

Amongst the conclusions reached in the report are the following:

- cannabis remains the most widely available drug in the EU; at least 45 million European citizens have tried it at least once: it is the primary drug in drug offences and its use is particularly high among the younger age groups:

- amphetamines and ecstasy are the second most commonly used drugs and their use is shifting away from large dance events to smaller, more diffuse settings;

- the use of cocaine is rising and spreading to a broader population;

- heroin users are largely adults with serious health, social and psychiatric problems;

- HIV and hepatitis A and B prevalence among injecting drug users appears to be stable;

- in many European countries policies to combat the drugs problem are placing greater emphasis on reduction of demand rather than supply, are based on drug prevention schemes and crime deterrence relying on accurate scientific evidence, and are providing for procedures for the decriminalisation of offences based on the degree of use and type of drug used.

In view of these facts, does the Commission believe that it is necessary to adopt direct measures and guidelines for the Member States which are in keeping with the above-mentioned trends and tailored to the new characteristics of the drugs problem?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 January 2001)

The information presented in the 2000 Annual report of the European monitoring center for drugs and drug addiction (Emcdda), as well as information from previous reports, has been carefully examined and utilised in drafting the EU Drug Strategy(1) and the Union action plan on drugs 2000-2004(2). Thanks to these reports the Commission now has a much more accurate and reliable picture of the drug problems in Union.

The Union action plan on drugs provides a general framework for drug-related actions and policies in the Union. It promotes a balanced and integrated approach to drug issues in which the reduction of the demand and supply for drugs and action against drug trafficking are seen as mutually reinforcing elements.

The Commission takes into account the elements and trends underlined by the Honourable Member in the implementation of the Union action plan on drugs. In particular, they will be considered when selecting projects to be financed under different Community Programmes.

The Community programme on drug prevention has already financed many projects with direct relevance to the issues raised in the Emcdda report. The Community framework programme for research and development is also funding drug-related research.

In the area of crime prevention, the Commission has approved, in November 2000, a Communication on the prevention of crime in the Union(3), in which a global approach and common guidelines are proposed to prevent both crime and organised crime. This document also proposes a Council Decision for establishing a programme of incentives and exchanges, training and cooperation for the prevention of crime (Hippokrates).

(1) Council of the European Union, Brussels, 1 December 1999, 12555/3/99, rev. 3, limité Cordrogue 64.

(2) Council of the European Union, Brussels, 7 June 2000/9283/00, limité, Cordrogue 32.

(3) COM(2000) 786 final.