WRITTEN QUESTION E-2359/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) and Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Commission. Synthetic drugs.
Date: 1999-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, drug addiction, public awareness campaign

3.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/31

directorates general is organised by those directorates general and may even be funded from part B of the
budget. No consolidation procedure is currently undertaken, which could give an indication of the total
cost of the auditing activity. The introduction of activity based Management (ABM) which has been agreed
by the Commission in November 1999, should enable the Commission to provide this type of information
in due course.

If funds are identified as incorrectly applied, the Commission undertakes the procedure of debt recovery as
provided by articles 28 and 29 of the Financial Regulation (1). The competent authorising officers establish
recovery orders, which are sent to the Financial controller for approval and registered by the accounting
officer. The latter is in charge of issuing the debit note and exercises all due diligence to ensure that the
amounts due to the Commission are recovered. He initiates the recovery procedure, if the amounts are not
paid by the due date.

As the main purpose of the reporting system is the efficient recovery of individual debts, no general
percentages of recovery on grant funding can be given at this stage. The further development of reporting
within the Sincom2 accounting system should enable the Commission to establish more general statistics of
this type in the future.

(1) OJ L 356, 31.12.1977.

(2000/C 280 E/030)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2359/99

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) and Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Synthetic drugs

(cid:129) The use of synthetic drugs is spreading at an alarming rate and is causing deaths in all the EU Member

States,

(cid:129) according to press reports, detailed instructions for concocting such substances are available on the

Internet and the users of synthetic drugs are thus able to make their own supplies at home,

(cid:129) many (cid:129) too many (cid:129) young people are unaware of the irreversible damage which such substances can
do, as is clearly illustrated by the fact that a liver transplant has had to be carried out on a 17-year-old
girl in Lombardy (Italy).

In view of the above, would the Commission prepare, as a matter of urgency, a brief television broadcast
to be shown on all national television channels (both public and commercial) in the Member States in
order to inform young people and their families of the risks involved in drug-taking, to warn them not to
use such substances and to ask them to assist the appropriate authorities in identifying and halting the
activities of anyone who supplies or otherwise promotes such substances?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2000)

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member about the problems caused by synthetic
drugs. In its communication on a European action plan to combat drugs (2000-2004) (1), the Commission
has highlighted that the problem could be reduced using appropriate legislation; actions against production
and trafficking, including improved co-operation between national authorities and the chemical industry,
in particular concerning precursors; international co-operation; and action on demand reduction through
information and other preventive approaches.

C 280 E/32

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.10.2000

The communication points out as well that mass media campaigns have been widely used as a means of
raising awareness on drug issues. To be effective, the messages in these campaigns should be well targeted,
informed and realistic. It is of the utmost importance that such information campaigns act as a supportive
element for local level actions undertaken with an educational perspective, both for young people and for
key people in their environment. In addition, it should be stressed that this pedagogical approach implies
that information for young people should be understood as a communicative process and dialogue rather
than as a campaign. The Commission is convinced that the active involvement of young people in
information activities is crucial for their success.

The European drug prevention week is a good example of combination of a grass-root approach with a
European campaign to highlight the theme of the week and to support the visibility of local events. The
Commission, within the framework of the Community action programme on the prevention of drug
dependence (1996-2000), has launched and co-financed three European drug prevention weeks in all
Member States. The 1998 week was addressed new synthetic drugs and young people and included a
30-second TV spot in 18 languages, a radio commercial
in
12 languages, a booklet in 13 languages and a poster in 19 language versions. The week was launched
by a two-day international conference on drug prevention and policy, organised by the city of Vienna with
the support of the Commission.

in 6 languages, a press advertisement

In addition, the Community action programme on the prevention of drug dependence (1996-2000)
finances projects in several Member States to disseminate appropriate information among young people
on synthetic drugs. These projects have produced many different types of education and information
materials, in the form of brochures, booklets, audiovisual products and Internet sites. Moreover, these
projects are organized in European networks to exchange models of good practice and develop joint
actions that have European added value.

On the other hand, the Commission considers it inappropriate to promote media campaigns that do not
take into account the needs and developments at local, regional and national level as being contrary to the
principle of subsidiarity and a not very efficient use of public monies. The Commission is committed to
continue its efforts to prevent drug dependency and promote healthy lifestyles among young people.

(1) COM(99) 239 final.

(2000/C 280 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2365/99

by Anders Wijkman (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Impact of carbon dioxide emissions on the climate

Many people consider climate change to be the biggest environmental problem facing mankind. It is vital
that action be taken in the energy and transport sectors if greenhouse gas emissions are to be brought
under control. The latest report from the European Environmental Agency in Copenhagen shows there to
be great concern about CO2 emissions,
in particular from traffic. What steps does the Commission
envisage taking, as part of its remit in the fields of energy and transport, to ensure a substantial reduction
in CO2 emissions in the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Climate change is a key area for integration of environmental considerations into all sectoral policies. This
was stated in the Commission(cid:146)s report (1) on integration to the European Council of Helsinki, as well as in
the reports of the Transport and Environment Council (2) to the European Council in Helsinki.