OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 189 b) (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament' s amendments to the Council' s common position regarding the proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION adopting a programme of Community action on the prevention of drug dependence within the framework for action in the field of public health (1996-2000)
Date: 1996-05-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: action programme, drug addiction, health policy, narcotic, public health

* ** 

I  COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

* ** 

I 

Brussels,  08.05.1996 
COM(%) 201 final 

96/0128 (COD) 

OPINION OF THE  COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article  189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the European Parliament's  amendments 
to the Council's common position  regarding the 

proposal  for a 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND COUNCIL  DECISION 

adopting  a programme of Community  action 
on the prevention  of drug  dependence 
within  the framework  for  action 
in the field  of public  health 
(1996-2000) 

AMENDING THE PROPOSAL  OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article  189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

COMMISSION OPINION, delivered in accordance with Article 189b(2)(d) of the EC 
Treaty, on the European  Parliament  amendments  to the Council  common  position 
relating to the proposal  for a European  Parliament  and Council  Decision  adopting 
a programme of Community action on the prevention of drug dependence within the 
framework  for  action  in  the  field  of  public  health  (1996-2000),  amending  the 
Commission  proposal 

in accordance  with Article  189a(2) of the EC Treaty 

In its Communication  of 24 November  1993 the Commission  outlined  a framework  for 
future  action  at Community  level  towards  attaining the health  protection  objectives  laid 
down  by  Articles  3(o)  and  129  of  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community, 
following  the entry  into force  of the Treaty  on European  Union. 

In  initiating  action  under  Article  129  the  Community  has  to  address  the  issue  of 
preventing disease and protecting health. Drug dependence is the only scourge specifically 
mentioned  in  Article  129,  and  the  Commission  considered  that  its  prevention  was  a 
priority  for  Community  action  and should be made the subject  of a specific  programme. 
This  programme  is  also  a  key  element  of  the Europoean  Union  action  plan  to  combat 
drugs. 

This  first  Community  action  programme  for  the  prevention  of  drug  dependence  is 
designed to support Member  States' actions and to step up European  cooperation  at each 
stage of the prevention process (boosting awareness of the drugs phenomenon,  identifying 
risk situations,  counselling  and guidance, medical  and  social  assistance), with  a view to 
preventing drug use, helping users to quit, reducing the mortality  rate, reducing the risks 
arising  from  drug  use  and  combating  marginalisation.  The  specific  activities  envisaged 
are compatible  with,  and  complementary  to,  other  activities  proposed  within  the public 
health  framework. 

The  Commission  adopted  its  Decision  on  21  June  1994  and  transmitted  the  proposed 
Decision  to the European  Parliament  and the Council  on 22 August  19941. 

The Economic  and  Social  Committee2  adopted  its opinion  on  22 February  1995. The 
ESC  supports  the  programme  and  the  approach  proposed  by  the  Commission  in  its 
Communication  and its proposal  for  a Decision.  It recommends that  adequate  resources 
be  spread  over  a  long  period  and  emphasises  the  need  to  support  the  evaluation  of 
ongoing  research  and  existing  practices,  the  promotion  of  innovative  programmes,  and 
exchanges  of information  and  experience. 

1 
2 

OJ No  C  257,  14 9.1994 

OJ No  C  110,  2.5.1995 

i-  à-  V-

The  Committee  of  the  Regions3  adopted  its  opinion  on  16  November  1994.  The 
Committee  supports the Commission  proposal.  It feels  in particular  that more  resources 
should  be  earmarked  for  education  and  drug  demand  reduction  and  emphasises  the 
importance of activities aimed at young addicts and groups who are difficult  to reach, and 
activities geared  towards  modifying  risk  behaviour,  rehabilitation,  and the  informing  of 
regional  and local  communities. 

The  European  Parliament4  adopted  its  opinion  at  the  first  reading  on  20  September 
1995,  proposing  56  amendments  to the Commission  proposal.  These  amendments  seek 
to extend  and  add  detail  to the proposed  decision,  in particular by  laying  stress on: 

the  importance  of  strategies  to  reduce  the  damage  caused  by  drug  abuse,  as  a 
complement  to the  strategies aimed  at primary  prevention; 
the need for the programme to fit within a strategy of combating social exclusion, 
and to take account  of the social  factors  linked  to drug use; 
the need for a series of actions in the areas of information,  education, training and 
research, placing the accent on young persons and high-risk groups and listing the 
specific  activities  to  be  developed  within  the  framework  of  other  Community 
policies. 

The  Commission  accepted  21  of the  56 amendments  proposed  by  Parliament,  either  in 
full  or in part. 

On 23 November  1995 the Commission  adopted an amended proposal taking account of 
the aforementioned  Parliament  amendments5. 

On 20 December  1995 the Council unanimously adopted a common position with a view 
to adopting the Decision  in  question. 

The  Commission  was  unable  to  accept  this  common  position  and  entered  reservations 
concerning the following  points: 

Article 3 (Budget): The Council wanted to reduce the overall budget for the five-
year  programme  from  MECU  28.5  to  MECU  27.  The  Commission  entered  a 
reservation  on  this  proposed  reduction,  especially  since  the  common  position 
provided  both  for  more  actions  and  for  larger-scale  actions  than  had  the 
Commission's  original  proposal. 

Article  5  (Comitology):  The  Council  wanted  to  introduce  a  dual,  "mixed" 
procedure  as regards the role of the Committee  set up to  assist the  Commission 
in  implementing  the  programme.  This  procedure,  similar  to  that  set  up  for  the 
three programmes recently adopted on the basis of Article 129 (Health promotion; 

O J N O C 2 1 0,  14.8.1994 
O J N O C 2 6 9,  16.10.1995 
COM  (95)  579  final 

S 

AIDS;  Cancer), assigns the Committee  "administrative" competence  in  six  areas 
of  activity,  and  "advisory"  competence  in  a number  of  others.  The  Commission 
entered  a  reservation  concerning  this  approach,  affirming  its  preference  for  a 
purely  advisory  committee, and asked for  a statement to this effect  to be entered, 
in anticipation  of the second  reading by  Parliament. 

- 

Annex  (Actions  to  be  implemented  under  the  programme):  The  common 
position takes on board  most of the amendments made by the Commission  to its 
initial  proposal  in response to the Parliament  amendments. 

The amendments  not included  in the Council's  common  position  chiefly  concern: 

- 

the  attention  to  be  given  to  utilisation  of  the  other  Community  policies  and 
programmes  (Action  b  of  the  Commission  proposal);  the  inventorising  of 
organisations involved in the care of drug addicts (Action d(3) of the Commission 
proposal); the recitals highlighting the value of a multidisciplinary  approach  (9b 
and  15b)  and  listing  the  partner  organisations  for  the  implementation  of  the 
programme (16a). 

In  view  of  the  importance  attached  by  Parliament  to  these  aspects,  the  Commission 
entered  a reservation  concerning their  non-inclusion  in the Council  common  position. 

On  16  April  1996  the  European  Parliament  adopted  23  amendments  to  the  Council 
common  position. 
The Commission's opinion  concerning each of these amendments is given in the Annex. 

The  Commission  points  out  that  in  accordance  with  Article  189b(3)  of  the  Treaty  if, 
within three  months  of  receiving  the  Parliament  amendments,  the  Council,  acting  by  a 
qualified  majority, approves all of the amendments, it shall amend its position accordingly 
and  adopt  the  act  in  question;  however,  the  Council  shall  act  unanimously  on  the 
amendments on which the Commission  has delivered  a negative opinion.  If the Council 
does not approve the act in question, the President of the Council, in agreement with the 
President  of  the  European  Parliament,  shall  forthwith  convene  a  meeting  of  the 
Conciliation  Committee. 

£ 

ANNEX6 

Amendment  No 3: Commission  opinion:  partially  accepted. 
The  Commission  can  accept  this  amendment  in  part  and  link  it  up  with  the  preceding 
recital,  provided  the wording  concerning the  objectives  of  a multidisciplinary  approach 
is made more general; 

Amendment  No 4: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The text of the common  position  already refers to the impact of drug dependence on the 
health  of individuals. 

Amendment  No  5:  Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
Defining  the  objectives  of  drug  addiction  policy  falls  outside  the  scope  of  this 
programme. 

Amendment  No 6:  Commission  opinion:  accepted  partially. 
The  reference  to  drug  dependence  as  a  sickness  which  can  be  prevented  and  treated 
confirms  the  wisdom  of  tackling  this  scourge  from  a  public  health  prospective,  as 
provided  for  in  Article  129. 

Amendment  No  7:  Commission  opinion:  accepted  partially. 
This  amendment  describes  the  objective  of  the  programme  more  precisely,  and  the 
Commission  accepts  it  provided  that  it mentions  narcotics  and  psychotropic  substances 
only  (these  being  illicit  drugs)  and  that,  as  regards  the  abuse  of  alcohol  and 
pharmaceutical  products, it takes account of the initiatives implemented  in the context of 
the Community  action  programme  on health  promotion. 

Amendment  No 8: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The recommendation in this amendment lies outside the scope of the programme. It is the 
responsibility  of the national  authorities to distinguish, if they  so wish, between  soft  and 
hard  drugs. 

Amendment  No 9: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The recommendation  in  this  amendment  lies  outside the  scope  of this  programme.  The 
spirit  of  this  amendment  is  reflected  more  specifically  in  the  statement  of  the 
programme's  objective  (amendment 7). 

Amendment  No  10: Commission  opinion:  accepted  partially. 
The  Commission  can  partially  accept this amendment  if it  is worded  in  a more general 
way,  identifying  the  prison  environment  as  one  of  the  priority  environments  for 
preventive  action. 

Amendment  No  11: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 

The  numbering  of the  amendments  corresponds  to the numbering  of the  Recommendation  for  second 
reading  - Doc. A4-93  EP  198.341, and to the position  of the amendments  in relation to the text of  the 
common  position. 

9-

The measures envisaged  in this amendment  lie outside the scope of the programme. 

Amendment  No  12: Commission  opinion:  accepted. 
A horizontal  question:  the  amendment  corresponds  to the texts  of  the  decisions  on  the 
three  programmes  recently  adopted  on  the  basis  of  Article  129  (Cancer;  Health 
promotion;  AIDS). 

Amendment  No  13: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
This amendment does not take account of the principle of subsidiarity;  it contains a very 
specific  and restrictive reference to certain categories of organisations, which, moreover, 
are covered  by  amendment  15. 

Amendment  No  15: Commission  opinion:  accepted. 
This amendment adds a non-exhaustive reference to the types of organisation which could 
participate  in the implementation  of the programme. 

Amendment  No  17: Commission  opinion:  accepted  partially. 
A horizontal  question: the Commission can accept the first part of the amendment, which 
corresponds to the texts of the decisions on the three programmes recently adopted on the 
basis  of  Article  129. 

Amendment  No  18: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The EDMC's tasks  and  operating  methods  are laid  down  in the Regulation  establishing 
the EDMC  and  cannot  be modified  through  this programme. 

Amendment  No  19: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The  Commission  has  entered  general  reservations  concerning  the  comitology  approach 
proposed  in  the  common  position  and  cannot  accept  this  amendment  since  it  implies 
acceptance  of the Council's  position. 

Amendment  No 21: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The  Commission  has  entered  general  reservations  concerning  the  comitology  approach 
proposed  in  the  common  position  and  cannot  accept  this  amendment  since  it  implies 
acceptance of the Council's position.  Additionally, the reference to the informing  of the 
European Parliament was made by means of a declaration when the decisions were taken 
on the three  other  programmes  recently  adopted  in the public  health  framework. 

Amendment  No 23: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The action  envisaged  by this amendment  falls  outside the  scope of the programme. 

Amendment  No 24: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The  Commission  considers  that  the  areas  of  activity  covered  by  this  amendment  are 
already  covered by  the Council  text. 

Amendment  No 26: Commission  opinion:  partially  accepted. 
The  Commission  can  accept  a reference  to the  relatives  and  guardians  of  drug  addicts 
provided  this is worded  in  general  terms,  as follows:  "measures to  assist  persons  living 

2 

with them". The financing  of projects to provide training or employment for drug addicts 
falls  outside the  scope of this programme. 

Amendment  No 27: Commission  opinion:  accepted  partially. 
The Commission  can  accept a non-exhaustive  mention  of the relevant  environments  for 
reaching out to young people. The Commission considers that involving young people in 
the prevention  actions is covered  by the Council  text.  Support  for  programmes to teach 
young  people  social  skills  falls  under  the  scope  of  the  health  promotion  action 
programme. 

Amendment  No 28: Commission  opinion:  accepted  partially. 
The Commission can accept a reference to promoting recourse to the expertise of persons 
liable to come into contact with  groups of potential users. 

Amendment  No 29: Commission  opinion:  rejected. 
The  action  envisaged  by this amendment  partially  overlaps with  the provisions  relating 
to the objective  and  implementation  of the programme. 

Amendment  No 31: Commission  opinion:  accepted  partially. 
This amendment  assimilates  into the programme's palette of measures the promotion  of 
multidisciplinary  cooperation  for  prevention  purposes,  which  tallies  with  the  approach 
defined  during the discussions on drug demand reduction in the context of the European 
Union  Action Plan to Combat Drugs. 

? 

AMENDED  PROPOSAL 

FOR A EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND COUNCIL  DECISION 
ADOPTING  A PROGRAMME  OF  COMMUNITY  ACTION 
ON THE  PREVENTION  OF  DRUG  DEPENDENCE 
WITHIN  THE  FRAMEWORK  FOR  ACTION  IN  THE 
FIELD  OF  PUBLIC  HEALTH  (1996-2000) 

(presented  by the  Commission  in  accordance  with  Article  189a(2) 
of the  EC  Treaty) 

Lv 

COUNCIL COMMON  POSITION 

MODIFICATIONS  PROPOSED 

Having regard to the Treaty  establishing 
the  European  Community,  and 
in 
particular  Article  129 thereof, 

Having  regard  to the  proposal  from  the 
Commission1, 

Having  regard  to  the  Opinion  of  the 
Economic  and  Social  Committee2, 

Having  regard  to  the  Opinion  of  the 
Committee  of the Regions3, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure 
laid down in Article  189b of the Treaty4, 

(1)  Whereas  drug  dependence  has 
grown alarmingly  in the Member 
serious 
States 
implications  for  the  health  of 
individuals and the welfare of the 
general  public; 

and 

has 

(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 

of 

OJNoC257,  14.9.1994, p. 4. 
OJNoC  110, 2.5.1995, p. 8. 
OJ No C 210,  14.8.1995, p. 88. 
the  European 
Opinion 
Parliament 
of 20  September 
1995,  Council  common  position 
of  20  December  1995  (OJ  No 
C269,  16.10.1995,  p. 65)  and 
the  European 
Decision 
of 
(OJ  No  C  37, 
Parliament  of 
9.2.1996, p.  1) (not yet published 
in the Official  Journal). 

/( 

(2)  Whereas,  in  creating  in  1985  a 
Committee  of  Inquiry  into  the 
problem  of drugs in the Member 
the  European 
States 
of 
the  European 
Community, 
its 
Parliament 
in  depth  the 
desire  to  study 
factors  which 
trigger  drug 
demand  and  enable  drugs  to 
continue  being  produced  and 
distributed; 

demonstrated 

(3)  W h e r e as 

in 

i ts 

this 
resolutions  concerning 
problem1 
European 
the 
Parliament formulated  a series of 
in 
proposals  with  a  view, 
particular,  to  Community  action 
on 
the  prevention  of  drug 
dependence; 

(4)  Whereas  the  European  Council, 
at  its  meeting  in  Dublin  on 25 
and  26  June  1990,  "stressed  the 
responsibility  of  each  Member 
State  to  develop  an  appropriate 
drug 
reduction 
programme" and "considered that 
effective  action by each Member 
State,  supported  by  joint  action 
the 
of 
Community,  should  be  a  main 
priority  over the coming years"; 

the  Twelve 

demand 

and 

(1) 

OJ No  C  172, 2.7.1984,  p.  130. 
OJNoC283,  10.11.1986,  p. 79. 
OJ No  C 47,  27.2.1989,  p. 51. 
OJNoC  150,  15.  6.1992,  p. 42. 

IL 

(5)  Whereas  the  actions  undertaken 
at  Community  level  on  the  basis 
of  C o u n c il  R e s o l u t i o n s, 
conclusions 
and 
declarations 
relating to the prevention  of drug 
in  particular 
dependence,  and 
emphasis 
subsequent 
placed  by  the European  Council, 
in  Rome  on  14  and 
meeting 
15  December  1990, 
the 
European  Plan to Combat Drugs, 
have  helped 
the 
to 
Member  States'  efforts; 

sustain 

the 

on 

to 

(6)  Whereas 

to 

in 

its 
the  Council, 
Resolution  of  2 June  19941,  in 
response 
the  Commission 
communication  of  24  November 
1993  on  a  framework  for  action 
in  the  field  of  public  health, 
included  drug dependence among 
the priority  areas for  Community 
action for which the Commission 
was  invited 
to  bring  forward 
proposals  for  action; 

(7)  Whereas  Regulation 

established 

(EEC) 
No  302/932 
a 
European  Monitoring  Centre  on 
Drugs  and  Drug  Addiction  to 
provide  the  Community  and  the 
Member  States  with  reliable  and 
i n f o r m a t i on 
c o m p a r a b le 
concerning 
and  drug 
addiction; 

drugs 

(1) 
(2) 

O J N oC  165,  17.6.1994,  p.  1. 
O J N o L 3 6,  12.2.1993, p.  1. 

(J 

by 

(8)  Whereas  the  declaration  on  the 
occasion  of  the  entry  into  force 
of the Treaty on European Union 
adopted 
the  European 
Council,  meeting  in  Brussels  on 
29 October  1993,  emphasized 
the  Treaty  provides  "a 
that 
s t r u c t u r ed 
i n s t i t u t i o n al 
framework,  so  that  in  particular 
greater  control  can  be  achieved 
over  those  of  society's  problems 
that  run  across frontiers,  such  as 
drugs  (...)"; 

(9)  Whereas the problems associated 
with  the  drugs  phenomenon  are 
such  that  they  require  a  fully 
coordinated  and  global  strategy, 
as 
the  European 
Council,  meeting  in  Brussels  on 
10 and  11 December  1993; 

stated  by 

(10)  Whereas  drug  dependence  is the 
only scourge expressly referred to 
in  the  provisions  of  the  Treaty 
dealing  with  public health  and is 
for 
therefore 
a 
Community  action  within 
the 
framework  for  action  in the field 
of  public  health  set  out  by  the 
Commission; 

priority 

(11)  Whereas  this  programme  is  one 
of  the  essential  components  of 
the  Commission  communication 
to  the  European  Parliament  and 
the Council  of 23 June 1994 on a 
European  Union  Action  Plan  to 
combat  drugs  (1995-1999),  on 
which the Council  commented in 
its conclusions  of 2 June 1995; 

9a. (New) 
Whereas  a  multidisciplinary  approach 
should in particular ensure that the social 
and  personal 
the 
phenomenon  are taken into  account: 

implications  of 

10a. (New) 
Whereas  drug  dependence  is  a  sickness 
which  can be prevented  and treated: 

<<< 

for 

(12)  Whereas,  by  reason  of  its  scale 
and effects,  Community  action to 
encourage 
the 
support 
prevention  of  drug  dependence 
will make a better contribution to 
achieving  the  desired  objectives, 
which 
the 
come  within 
framework  of  Article  129 of  the 
Treaty,  in  particular  the  second 
of  paragraph 1 
subparagraph 
thereof; 

(13)  Whereas  cooperation  with  the 
international 
competent 
organizations 
and  with 
non-member  countries  should be 
strengthened; 

(14)  Whereas 

clear 

objectives 

a  multiannual 
programme  should  be  launched 
for 
with 
Community  action,  and  priority 
measures  should  be  selected,  as 
well  as  appropriate  mechanisms 
for  the evaluation  of such action, 
with  a  view  to  preventing  drug 
dependence  and  the  associated 
problems; 

(15)  Whereas  the  programme  should 
have  the  objective  of  helping  to 
combat  drug  dependence  by 
preventing  dependence  linked  to 
and 
the  use  of  narcotics 
and 
substances 
psychotropic 
associated  use  of  other  products 
for 
the  purposes  of  drug 
addiction; 

(16)  Whereas 

is  a  need 

to 
there 
improve  knowledge  of 
the 
phenomenon  of  drugs  and  drug 
t h e ir 
d e p e n d e n ce 

and 

15.  Whereas  the  programme  should 
have as its objective to contribute 
to the enhancement  of awareness 
of  the  use  of  narcotics  and 
psychotropic  substances  and  the 
associated  use  of  other  products 
the  purposes  of  drug 
for 
addiction, 
improve 
to 
recognition  of  risk  situations, 
early  detection,  counselling  and 
advice, health and social support, 
with  a  view  to  preventing  drug 
use,  facilitating  the  cessation  of 
drug  use,  lowering  the  mortality 
rate, 
risks  of 
infection  by  agents  of  infection 
and reducing  marginalisation: 

reducing 

and 

the 

rr 

consequences,  and  of  the  ways 
and  means  of  preventing  drug 
addiction  and 
the  associated 
risks; 

(17)  Whereas there is a need both  for 
general  preventive action and  for 
preventive  measures focusing  on 
specific 
groups, 
target 
and 
particularly 
marginal  groups,  while  avoiding 
stereotypes  of drug users; 

the  young 

(18)  Whereas  it  is  important  that  the 

17a. (New) 
Whereas  the  prison  environment  is  one 
of 
for 
the  priority 
preventive action: 

environments 

e n s u re 
C o m m i s s i on 
implementation 
this 
of 
programme  in  close  cooperation 
with the Member States; whereas, 
to  that  end,  provision  should  be 
to 
made 
ensure that  Member  States  are 
fully  involved  in  implementing 
the programme; 

a  procedure 

for 

the 

(19)  Whereas  a  "modus  vivendi" 
b e t w e en 
E u r o p e an 
Parliament,  the  Council  and  the 
the 
Commission 
implementing  measures  for  acts 
adopted  in  accordance  with  the 
in 
laid 
procedure 
Article  189b  of  the Treaty  was 
concluded on 20 December  1994; 

concerning 

down 

(20)  Whereas,  from  an  operational 
point  of  view,  the  investment 
made in previous years should be 
safeguarded  and  developed; 

(21)  Whereas, 

possible 
however, 
duplication  of  effort  should  be 
avoided  by  the  promotion  of  the 
exchange  of  experience  and  by 
the  joint  development  of  basic 
the 
information  modules 
health 
general 
training 
education 

public, 
and 

for 

for 

for 

IL 

members  of 
the  health-care 
professions,  which  may  be 
targeted  on  specific  groups; 

(22)  Whereas  the  objectives  of  this 
programme  and  of  the  actions 
undertaken  to  implement  it  form 
part  of  the  health  protection 
requirements  referred  to  in  the 
third  paragraph  of Article  129(1) 
of the Treaty  and  as such form  a 
constituent 
the 
Community's  other policies; 

part 

of 

a 

impact 

(23)  Whereas,  in order to increase the 
the 
of 
value 
and 
continuous 
programme, 
assessment  of 
the  measures 
undertaken  should be carried out, 
with  particular  regard  to  their 
effectiveness and the achievement 
of  objectives  both  at  national 
level  and  Community  level,  and, 
where  appropriate,  the  necessary 
adjustments  should  be made; 

(24)  Whereas thi s Deci si on 1 ay s down, 

a 

constituting 

for  the  entire  duration  of  the 
financial 
programme, 
framework 
the 
principal  point  of 
reference, 
within the meaning  of point  1 of 
the  Declaration  of  the  European 
Parliament, 
the  Council  and 
Commission  of  6 March  1995, 
for the budgetary authority during 
the annual  budgetary  procedure; 

(25)  Whereas  this  programme  should 
run  for  five  years  in  order  to 
allow  sufficient  time  for  actions 
to be implemented to achieve the 
objectives  set, 

HAVE DECIDED  AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

Establishment  of the  programme 

f+ 

referred 

1.  A  programme  of  Community  action 
on  the  prevention  of  drug  dependence, 
"the 
hereinafter 
programme",  shall  be  adopted  for  the 
period  1 January  1996  to  31  December 
2000 within  the framework  for  action  in 
the  field  of  public  health. 

as 

to 

2. 
The  objective  of  the  programme 
shall  be  to  help  in  combating  drug 
dependence, in particular by encouraging 
cooperation  between  the Member  States, 
supporting  their  action  and  promoting 
coordination  between  their  policies  and 
programmes  with  a  view  to  preventing 
dependence linked to the use of narcotics 
and 
and 
associated  use  of  other  products  for  the 
purposes  of  drug  addiction. 

psychotropic 

substances 

3.  The actions to be implemented  under 
the  programme 
specific 
and 
objectives  are set out in the Annex under 
the  following  headings: 

their 

A. 

B. 

Data,  research,  evaluation 

Information,  health education and 
training. 

Article  2 

Implementation 

The  Commission  shall  ensure  the 
1. 
implementation, 
in  close  cooperation 
with  the  Member  States,  of  the  actions 
set out in the Annex,  in  accordance with 
Article  5. 

The  Commission  shall  cooperate 
2. 
with  the  institutions  and  organizations 
which  are  active  in  the  field  of  drug 
demand  reduction. 

The  Commission  shall  cooperate 
2. 
with  the  institutions  and  organizations 
which  are  active  in  the  field  of  drug 
demand  reduction;  in  particular,  it  shall 
encourage 
the 
participation 
implementation  of  the  programme  by 
public 
non 
private 
(NGOs). 
governmental  organisations 
volunteers  and  therapy  or  social  welfare 
communities. 

bodies, 

and 

in 

a 

take 

the  measures 

3.  The  Member  States  are  called  upon 
judge 
to 
necessary  to coordinate and organize the 
implementation  of  this  programme  at 
national  level. 

they 

Article  3 

Budget 

(i) 

1. 
The  financial  framework  for  the 
implementation of the programme for the 
period  referred  to  in  Article  1  shall  be 
ECU  27  million. 

2.  The  annual  appropriations  shall  be 
authorized  by  the  budgetary  authority 
within 
financial 
limits  of 
the 
perspective. 

the 

(1) 

The  Commission  maintains  a 
reservation 
this 
Article. 

concerning 

f? 

Article 4 

Consistency  and  complementarity 

and 

that 

there 

shall  ensure 

1.  The  Commission  and  the  Member 
States 
is 
complementarity 
consistency 
between actions to be implemented under 
this  programme  and  other 
relevant 
Community  programmes  and initiatives, 
"SOCRATES", 
including 
"LEONARDO DA VINCI"  and  "Youth 
for  Europe  (III)"  programmes  and  the 
research 
and 
biomedical 
health 
programme  under 
the  Community's 
framework  programme  for  research. 

the 

1. 
The Commission shall ensure that 
there is consistency and complementarity 
between actions to be implemented under 
this  programme  and  other  relevant 
Community  programmes  and initiatives, 
including 
"SOCRATES", 
"LEONARDO DA VINCI"  and  "Youth 
for  Europe (III)"  programmes  and  the 
health 
biomedical 
research 
and 
the  Community's 
programme  under 
framework  programme  for  research. 

the 

2.  The  Commission  shall  also  ensure 
that the activities  implemented  take into 
account 
the  work  of  the  European 
Monitoring  Centre  for  Drugs  and  Drug 
Addiction  (EDMC).  It shall also ensure, 
together with the Member States, that the 
Community's  priorities  and  needs  are 
the 
taken 
EDMC's programmes. 

into  due 

account 

in 

3.  The  Commission  and  the  Member 
States  shall  ensure  consistency  with  the 
European Union's Action Plan to combat 
drugs. 

Article 5 

Committee 

(i) 

1. 
Commission  shall  be  assisted  by 
a Committee consisting of two members 
designated  by  each  Member  State  and 
chaired  by  the  representative  of  the 
Commission. 

(1) 

The  Commission  maintains  a 
reservation 
this 
Article. 

concerning 

2a 

representative 
submit 
shall 

the 
2. 
The 
Commission 
the 
Committee  a draft  of the measures to be 
taken  concerning: 

of 
to 

the  Committee's 

(a) 
procedure; 

rules 

of 

(b) 

(c) 

an  annual  work  programme 
indicating 
for 
action; 

the  priorities 

including 

the  arrangements,  criteria  and 
for  selecting  and 
procedures 
the 
financing  projects  under 
programme, 
those 
involving 
cooperation  with 
international organizations having 
responsibility 
in  the  field  of 
public health and participation of 
the  countries 
in 
Article 6(2); 

referred 

to 

(d) 

the  evaluation  procedure; 

(e) 

(f) 

a r r a n g e m e n ts 

t he 
dissemination  and 
results; 

for 
transfer  of 

the 

the arrangements for  cooperating 
and 
with 
organizations 
in 
Article 2(2). 

institutions 
referred 

to 

The  Committee  shall  deliver  its opinion 
on  the  draft  measures  referred  to  above 
within  a time  limit  which  the  Chairman 
may  lay  down  according  to the urgency 
of  the  matter.  The  opinion  shall  be 
delivered  by  the  majority  laid  down  in 
Article  148(2)  of  the  Treaty  in  the  case 
of  decisions  which 
is 
required to adopt on a proposal  from  the 
the 
Commission. 
representatives  of  the  Member  States 
within  the Committee  shall  be  weighted 
in  the  manner  set  out  in  that  Article. 
The Chairman  shall  not vote. 

The  votes  of 

the  Council 

The  Commission  shall  adopt  measures 
immediately. 
apply 
which 

shall 

li 

However,  if  these  measures  are  not  in 
accordance  with 
the  opinion  of  the 
Committee,  they  shall  be  communicated 
by 
to  the  Council 
the  Commission 
forthwith.  In  that  event: 

- 

- 

shall  defer 
the  Commission 
application  of 
the  measures 
which  it  has  decided  upon  for  a 
period  of  two  months  from  the 
date  of  such  communication, 

the Council, acting by a  qualified 
majority,  may  take  a  different 
decision  within  the  time  limit 
referred  to  in the  first  indent. 

3. 
In  addition,  the  Commission  may 
consult  the  Committee  on  any  other 
matter concerning the implementation  of 
the  programme. 

The  representative  of  the  Commission 
shall  submit  to the Committee  a draft  of 
the  measures 
The 
to  be 
Committee  shall  deliver  its  opinion  on 
the  draft  within  a  time  limit  which  the 
Chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency  of  the  matter,  if  necessary  by 
taking  a vote. 

taken. 

The  opinion  shall  be  recorded  in  the 
minutes; in addition,  each Member  State 
shall  have  the  right  to  ask  to  have  its 
opinion  recorded  in the  minutes. 

The  Commission  shall  take  the  utmost 
account  of  the  opinion  delivered  by  the 
Committee. 
the 
Committee  of  the  manner  in  which  its 
opinion  has been  taken  into  account. 

inform 

shall 

It 

4.  The Commission representative  shall 
keep  the  Committee  regularly  informed 
about: 

- 

programme 

financial  assistance granted under 
(amounts, 
this 
and 
duration, 
beneficiaries), 

breakdown 

?z 

proposals 

Commission 
or 
Community  initiatives  and  the 
implementation of programmes in 
other  areas  which  are  directly 
relevant  to  the  achievement  of 
the objectives of  the programme, 
with  a  view  to  ensuring  the 
consistency  and  complementarity 
referred  to  in  Article 4. 

Article  6 

International  cooperation 

In  the  course  of  implementing  the 
with 
cooperation 
and  with 
countries 
organizations 
having 
in  the  field  of  public 
and 
encouraged 
in  accordance  with  the 

1. 
programme, 
non-member 
international 
responsibility 
shall 
health 
implemented 
procedure  laid  down  in  Article  5. 

be 

the  Commission  shall 
In  particular, 
cooperate  with  the  Council  of  Europe's 
Pompidou  Group,  with 
international 
intergovernmental  organizations  such  as 
the  World  Health  Organization  (WHO), 
the  United  Nations  Educational, 
S c i e n t i f ic 
C u l t u r al 
a nd 
the 
O r g a n i z a t i on  ( U N E S C O ), 
International  Labour Organization  (ILO) 
and with the United  Nations International 
Drug  Control  Programme  (UNIDCP). 

those 

2. 
The  programme  shall  be  open  to 
participation  by  the  associated  countries 
of Central  and Eastern Europe  (ACCEE) 
in  accordance  with  the  conditions  laid 
down  in  the  Additional  Protocols  to  the 
Association Agreements, to be concluded 
with 
concerning 
countries, 
participation in Community programmes. 
The  programme 
to 
participation by Cyprus and Malta on the 
basis  of  additional  appropriations 
in 
accordance  with  the  same  rules  as  those 
applied 
in 
accordance with procedures to be agreed 
with  those  countries. 

the  EFTA  countries, 

shall  be  open 

to 

l> 

Article 7 

Monitoring  and evaluation 

States 

1. 
The  Commission,  taking  into 
account  the  reports  drawn  up  by  the 
the 
Member 
participation,  where  necessary, 
of 
independent experts, shall  ensure that an 
is  made  of  the  actions 
evaluation 
undertaken. 

and  with 

2.  The Commission  shall  submit to the 
European Parliament and the Council an 
interim  report  halfway 
through  the 
programme  and  a  final  report  on 
completion  thereof.  The  Commission 
shall  incorporate  into  those  reports  the 
results  of  the  evaluations.  It  shall  also 
send  the  reports  to  the  Economic  and 
Social  Committee and the Committee of 
the Regions. 

a CH 

ANNEX 

PROGRAMME  OF  COMMUNITY 
ACTION 
ON  THE  PREVENTION  OF  DRUG 
DEPENDENCE 

A.  DATA. RESEARCH. EVALUATION 

Objective 

To 
the 
improve  knowledge  of 
phenomenon  of  drugs  and  drug 
dependence  and  its  consequences  and 
of  means  and  methods  of  preventing 
drug dependence and the risks relating 
thereto,  in  particular  by  using  the 
information  supplied  by  the  EDMC 
and 
the  possibilities  offered  by 
existing  Community  programmes  and 
instruments. 

Actions 

1.  Help 

identify 

the  data 
a n a l y s ed 

to  be 
c o l l e c t e d, 
and 
disseminated  for  the  purposes  of 
the  programme,  including  data  on 
polysubstance  dependence. 

implementation 

2.  Exploit  the  data  most  useful  for 
the 
the 
in 
programme,  on 
p a r t i c u l ar 
regular 
of 
communication  of  the  work  of 
the EDMC. 

the  basis 

of 

a 

3.  Help  develop  a 

strategy 

in  particular 

for 
research  on the prevention  of  drug 
dependence, 
to 
improve  knowledge  as regards  the 
impact  in  the  public  health  sphere 
of policies targeting drug users and 
on the effects  of drugs  and the use 
of  appropriate 
for 
preventive  purposes. 

techniques 

4.  Support  studies  and  pilot  projects 
s o c i o - e c o n o m i c, 

the 

on 

V 

a nd 
s o c i o - c u l t u r al 
factors 
psycho-sociological 
associated  with  drug  dependence, 
including  in target groups. 

the 

exchange 

5.  Support  studies  and  actions  and 
promote 
of 
experience  on  ways and  means of 
the  risks  associated 
preventing 
in 
dependence, 
with 
particular  for: 

drug 

-  preventing,  in  drug-dependent 
pregnant  women,  the  effects  of 
drugs on the foetus and the risks 
of transmitting  infections  to the 
child, 

-  reducing  the  risks  associated 
with the injection  of drugs, 

-  making 

an 

assessment 

of 
accompanying  health  measures, 
substitution 
in 
programmes, 

particular 

-  evaluating  methods 

and 
programmes  for  prevention  and 
risk 
the 
management  of  drug-dependent 
prisoners. 

reduction 

in 

6.  Encourage 

the 

exchange  of 
information  and  experience  on 
preventing drug addiction relapses, 
including the rehabilitation of drug 
users. 

the 
of 
exchange 
Encourage 
information 
and  experience  on 
preventing  drug  addiction  relapses, 
including  the  rehabilitation  of  drug 
users,  and  on  ways  of  assisting 
persons living with them: 

B.  I N F O R M A T I O N. 

H E A L TH 

EDUCATION  AND  TRAINING 

Objective 

Objective 

Contribute  to improving  information, 
training  aimed  at 
education  and 
preventing  drug  dependence  and  the 

information, 
Contribute  to  improving 
at 
training 
and 
education 
preventing  drug  dependence  and  the 

aimed 

U 

associated  risks, 
people 
young 
vulnerable groups. 

in  particular  for 
particularly 
and 

associated  risks,  in  particular  for  young 
people in the relevant environments  (for 
example  home,  school,  university  and 
leisure time)  and  particularly  vulnerable 
groups. 

(a)  Information  and health  education 

Actions 

7.  Support  schemes  to  evaluate  the 
effectiveness  of  information  and 
health  education  campaigns  and 
carry  out  regular  public  opinion 
surveys  via  Eurobarometer 
to 
monitor  changes 
in  Europeans' 
attitudes towards drugs. 

8.  Organize  further  European  Drug 
Prevention  Weeks  on  the basis of 
previous  experience. 

9.  Help identify,  test and develop the 
best  information  and  educational 
tools  and  methods 
target 
for 
groups,  and  in  particular: 

-  encourage 

use 

of 
the 
information tailored to particular 
environments  or  circles,  taking 
account  of  changes  in  patterns 
of use and products used, and of 
t he 
p h e n o m e n on 
polysubstance  dependence, 

of 

-  support 

schemes 
to 

adapt 
to 
messages 
the  needs  and 
specific  features  of  particularly 
vulnerable groups, 

-  support 

the  development  of 
telephone help line services and 
feasibility  of 
consider 
introducing  a  single  telephone 
number  for  such  services  in  all 
Member  States. 

the 

Vr 

10.  Help to define guidelines on the 
prevention  of  drug  abuse  and 
foster  the  selection  and  use  of 
teaching methods and materials, 
in  particular  within the context 
of  the  European  network  of 
health-promoting  schools, 
in 
order  to  develop  attitudes  in 
young people which will enable 
them  to  avoid  drugs  and  drug 
addiction;  support 
integrated 
projects,  programmes and other 
drug  prevention  initiatives  in 
places  frequented  by  children 
and  young  people,  with  the 
participation  wherever  possible 
of parents and those concerned. 

10.  Help  to  define  guidelines  on  the 
prevention  of  drug abuse and foster 
the  selection  and  use.  of  teaching 
methods and materials,  in particular 
within  the  context  of  the European 
network of health-promoting schools, 
in  order  to  develop  attitudes  in 
young  people  which  will  enable 
them  to  avoid  drugs  and  drug 
integrated 
support 
addiction; 
projects, programmes and other drug 
prevention 
in  places 
initiatives 
frequented  by  children  and  young 
the  participation 
people,  with 
wherever  possible  of  parents  and 
those concerned; promote recourse to 
the  expertise  of  persons  liable  to 
come  into  contact  with  groups  of 
potential users. 

11.  Encourage 

exchanges 

of 
experience  on  initiatives  aimed 
at 
coordination 
between  all  those  involved  in 
the provision of education. 

improving 

12.  Support  schemes  for  advising 
teachers,  families  and  those 
responsible for young people on 
the early detection of the use of 
drugs and the action to take. 

13. 

In  cooperation  with  the EDMC 
and  the  Council  of  Europe, 
if  need  be,  the 
encourage 
extension  of 
the  European 
network of "test towns", so as to 
promote  technical  cooperation 
on the ways and means used by 
these  towns  to  reduce  drug 
demand. 

14.  Support 

exchanges 

of 
experience,  particularly  on  a 
cross-border  basis, 
regional 
concerning 
local  prevention 
initiatives.  Support  exchanges 

U 

of  experience  on  prevention 
models  and  practices  involving 
towns 
in  different  Member 
States  which  are  particularly 
the  problem  of 
affected  by 
drugs. 

(b)  Training 

and 

teachers 

15.  Promote  initiatives  to  improve 
the  drug  prevention  aspect  of 
vocational  training  programmes 
those 
for 
responsible  for  young  people 
and  encourage  exchanges  of 
students  training  for  the  social 
and  health-care 
professions, 
including exchanges under other 
Community  programmes. 

16.  Support 

the  development  of 
further-training 
programmes, 
teaching  materials  and  modules 
for  those  likely  to  come  into 
contact  with  drug  users  and 
groups  at  risk, 
in 
including 
social  work, 
particular 
health-care,  police  and  other 
law-enforcement  professionals. 

16.  Support 

the 

development 

of 
further-training 
programmes, 
teaching  materials  and  modules  for 
those  likely  to  come  into  contact 
with  drug  users  and  groups  at  risk, 
including  in  particular  social  work, 
other 
police 
health-care, 
professionals; 
law-enforcement 
m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a ry 
p r o m o te 
to 
cooperation  with 
preventing  drug  dependence. 

view 

and 

a 

21-\c 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(96) 201  final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

05 

Catalogue number  :  CB-C0-96-213-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-03868-7 

Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg 

1A