WRITTEN QUESTION E-1607/01 by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. New measures to combat drug use.
Date: 2001-06-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, drug addiction, drug traffic, narcotic, penalty

C 350 E/200

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

(2001/C 350 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1607/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: New measures to combat drug use

(1 June 2001)

Studies on drug use have revealed a slight rise in some Member States in the age of first contact with
drugs, an increase in the number of people using alcohol and cannabis and a fall in the use of hard drugs
such as heroin, while the numbers taking other illegal substances have stabilised.

Many governments have already reformed various aspects of their legal systems in connection with the
fight against drug trafficking. Measures include introducing a closer correlation between the sentence
imposed and the quantity of drugs seized, a greater range of sentences for small-scale traffickers and
reduced sentences for those who co-operate with the authorities. Such measures have reinforced the fight
against drug trafficking given that, although patterns of drug use and the profile of drug users may change,
drug use remains prevalent.

Given the constant changes in drug trafficking, how is the Commission encouraging all Member States to
adopt more up-to-date, robust and rigorous rules to combat this phenomenon?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2001)

The Member States and the Community share responsibility for policy and legislation on the prevention of
drug abuse.

Since 1990 the Union has stressed the need for an overall multidisciplinary and integrated approach to the
fight against drugs based on action in four main areas: (i) reduction of demand; (ii) reduction of supply and
measures to combat illegal trafficking; (iii) international co-operation; (iv) coordination at national and EU
levels.

On 23 May 2001, to meet the challenge posed by the traffickers who supply the population with narcotics
and psychotropic substances, the Commission approved a proposal for a Council framework decision
laying down minimum provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of
illicit drug trafficking (1). Such a proposal had been called for in the conclusions of the Tampere European
Council of 15 and 16 October 1999 and in the European Action Plan to Combat Drugs (2000-2004) (2).

As the Honourable Member has pointed out, it is important that the Union should clearly demonstrate its
commitment to the fight against drug trafficking, which poses a threat to people(cid:146)s health, security and
laying down a common
quality of life, by adopting the proposal for a Council framework decision,
approach in the field of criminal law and strengthening co-operation between Member States.

(1) COM(2001) 259/4.
(2) COM(1999) 239 final.

(2001/C 350 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1618/01

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Community noise abatement legislation

(12 June 2001)

For the first time ever, the residents of the historic centre of Malaga have mobilised under the slogan
(cid:145)Endless sleepless nights destroy body and soul(cid:146), and have set up a committee to protest against the