Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on a EU Drugs Action Plan (2005-2008)  {SEC(2005)216}
Date: 2005-02-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU police cooperation, action programme, drug addiction, drug traffic, fight against crime, judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the EU, project evaluation

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 14.02.2005 
COM(2005) 45 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 

on a EU Drugs Action Plan (2005-2008) 

{SEC(2005)216} 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction 

The  drugs  phenomenon  is  one  of  the  major  concerns  of  the  citizens  of  Europe  and  a  major 
threat  to  the  security  and  health  of  European  society.  The  EU  has  up  to  2  million  problem 
drug users. The use of drugs, particularly among young people is at historically high levels. 
The incidence of HIV/AIDS among drug users is causing increasing concern. Since the drugs 
problem  is  a  global  one,  the  EU  takes  action  through  a  number  of  political  issues  like  the 
dialogue on drugs with various regions of the world. Finding a realistic and effective response 
to this problem therefore must remain a political priority for the European Union. 

In  December  2004,  the  European  Council  endorsed  the  EU  Drug  Strategy  (2005-2012) 
which  sets  the  framework,  objectives  and  priorities  for  two  consecutive  four-year  Action 
Plans to be brought forward by the Commission. This Strategy is an integral part of the multi-
annual programme “The Hague Programme” for strengthening freedom, security and justice 
in the EU which states that “an optimal level of protection of the area of freedom, security and 
justice requires multi-disciplinary and concerted action both at EU level and national level...”. 

The Strategy has a number of major objectives: 

–  to  achieve  a  high  level  of  health  protection,  well-being  and  social  cohesion  by 
complementing  the  Member  States’  action  in  preventing  and  reducing  drug  use, 
dependence and drug-related harms to health and society. 

–  with due regard for the EU’s achievements and values in terms of fundamental rights and 
freedoms, to ensure a high level of security for the general public by taking action against 
drugs  production,  cross-border  trafficking  in  drugs  and  diversion  of  precursors  and  by 
intensifying  preventive  action  against  drug-related  crime  through  effective  cooperation 
embedded in a joint approach. 

–  to  strengthen  the  EU’s  coordination  mechanisms  to  ensure  that  action  taken  at  national, 
regional and international levels is complementary and contributes to the effectiveness of 
drug policies within the EU and in its relations with other international partners. The latter 
calls for a more clearly identifiable European position in international fora such as the UN 
and its specialised agencies, reflecting the EU’s dominant position as a donor in this area. 

The  Strategy  concentrates  on  the  two  major  dimensions  of  drugs  policy,  demand  reduction 
and  supply  reduction.  It  also  covers  a  number  of  cross-cutting  themes:  international 
cooperation, research, information and evaluation. 

The Action Plan proposed by the Commission takes account of its Final Evaluation of the EU 
Drug Strategy and EU Action Plan on Drugs (2000–2004)1. It targets in particular those areas 
that the evaluation highlighted as needing further progress. It reiterates a number of essential 
objectives  that  were  not  reached  under  the  previous  Action  Plan.  The  Commission  has  also 
carried  out  an  initial  consultation  of  civil  society  on  future  policy  through  a  dedicated  web 
site. Such consultation will be significantly expanded by the Commission during the course of 
the Action Plan to include a wide range of representatives of civil society across the EU in a 
dialogue on how best to deal with drugs issues. 

1 

COM (2004) 707 final. 

EN 

2 

   EN 

 
                                                 
In terms of the ultimate goal it should be clearly understood that the Strategy and Action Plan 
are  not  an  end  in  themselves;  even  if  all  the  objectives  they  contain  are  reached  we  must 
conclude that they have failed if the result is not a measurable reduction of the drugs problem 
in our societies. The citizens of Europe expect this. The ultimate aim of the Action Plan is to 
significantly reduce the prevalence of drug use among the population and to reduce the social 
harm and health damage caused by the use of and trade in illicit drugs. It aims to provide a 
framework for a balanced approach to reducing both supply and demand through a number of 
specific actions. 

These should meet the following criteria: 

–  Actions  at  EU  level  must  offer  clear  added  value  and  results  must  be  realistic  and 

measurable. 

–  Actions must be cost-effective and contribute directly to the achievement of at least one of 

the goals or priorities set out in the Strategy. 

–  The number of actions in each field should be realistic. 

In terms of methodology, the Commission has designed this Action Plan not as a static list of 
political  objectives,  but  as  a  dynamic  policy  instrument.  It  follows  the  structure  and  the 
objectives  of  the  Strategy  and  focuses  on  concrete  results  in  specific  priority  areas. 
Assessment tools and indicators have been introduced for each action. These have been drawn 
up  with  the  help  of  the  European  Monitoring  Centre  for  Drugs  and  Drug  Addiction 
(EMCDDA) and Europol, who will help the Commission to keep track of implementation of 
the Action Plan. On this basis the Commission will publish an annual report and, if necessary, 
propose adjustments. 

Responsibility for implementation of actions and deadlines are clearly indicated in the Plan. 
To keep implementation on track, targets whose deadlines have passed or are unlikely to be 
met will be subject to recommendations for their implementation or identification of failure to 
implement.  The  Commission  will  carry  out  an  impact  assessment  in  2008  in  view  of 
proposing  a  second  Action  Plan  for  2009-2012.  A  final  evaluation  of  the  Strategy  and  the 
Action  Plans  will  be  carried  out  by  the  Commission  in  2012.  These  evaluations  will  go 
beyond the strict confines of the Action Plan and will include, on the basis of the work of the 
EMCDDA and Europol, a general view of the evolution of the drugs situation in Europe. 

This Action Plan is ambitious in its objectives but it matches the serious nature of the issues 
confronting  EU  citizens.  It  respects  the  principles  of  subsidiarity  and  proportionality  and 
leaves full scope for local, regional, national and transnational actions, while at the same time 
encouraging  all  actors  to  examine  how  these  actions  can  be  mutually  supportive  and 
contribute towards achieving the objectives of the EU Drug Strategy. 

EN 

3 

   EN 

 
COORDINATION 

Strategy aim 172 
Coordination is key to the establishment and conduct of a successful strategy against drugs 

Aim 

Action proposed 

Timetable  Responsible Party3

Assessment tool /Indicator²  

1. Effective coordination 
at EU and national level 

1. Member States and the Commission to have a 
fully operational drugs coordination mechanism 
and to designate a person, department or body to 
act as drugs coordinator 

2007 

MS 

COM 

Annual report on national 
structures by the COM, in 
cooperation with the 
EMCDDA 

2. Member States, with due regard to their national 
legislation and administrative structures, to adopt 
an overall national strategy and/or action plan on 
drugs 

2007 

MS 

Idem 

2. Ensure a balanced, 
multidisciplinary 
approach 

Member States to transpose EU common priorities 
into national strategies/action plans 

2007 

MS 

Idem 

2 
3 

This numbering corresponds to that of the Strategy aims in the EU Drugs Strategy 2005-2012 
Presidency = PRES, Member States = MS, Commission = COM. 

EN 

4 
EN 

 
 
 
                                                 
3. Involve civil society 

1. The Commission to issue a Green Paper on 
ways to effectively cooperate with civil society  

2006 

COM 

COM’s Green Paper 

2. Member States to take into account the expertise 
of all groups and bodies concerned 

2007 

MS 

MS report to the HDG on the 
consultation outcome by 2008 

3. The Commission to provide for a Eurobarometer 
survey on youth attitude regarding drugs 

2008 

COM 

Report delivered 

Strategy aims 18 - 19 

EU-level coordination of drugs policy should take place through the Horizontal Working Party on Drugs (HDG) 

4. Effective coordination 
in the Council 

1. The HDG to focus its activities on the 
implementation of the EU Action Plan 

2. The HDG to be the leading forum in the Council 
for EU coordination on drugs. Effective 
coordination between it and other Council 
Working Parties dealing with drug issues, 
including external relations 

Ongoing 

Council 

Ongoing 

Council 

COM’s Annual Progress 
Review 

Mandate of the HDG 
reviewed by 2005 

Results of the HDG 
discussions on external 
relations drug issues reported 
to the relevant geographic 
working groups and vice-
versa 

EN 

5 
EN 

 
 
 
Strategy aim 20 

One of the areas in which coordination is of great importance is that of international cooperation  

5. Systematic 
mainstreaming of drugs 
policy into relations 
and agreements with 
relevant third countries  2. Include a specific clause on cooperation on drugs 

1. The Council to ensure that EU action plans for 
various regions are only adopted if adequate 
resources for their implementation are allocated 

in new agreements with third countries/regions 

Ongoing 

Council 

COM Report by 2008 

Annual 

Council 

COM 

Number of new agreements 
with a specific clause on 
drugs 

Strategy aim 21 

The national authorities responsible for coordinating drug issues and policies will contribute to the practical implementation of the EU Action Plans within the 

context of the implementation of national programmes 

6. Maintain regular 
forum for EU 
coordination 

The Presidency and the Commission to provide the 
opportunity to those responsible for drug 
coordination to meet to exchange information on 
national developments, to review the scope for 
greater cooperation and to focus on the 
implementation of the EU Action Plan 

Twice a 
year 

PRES 

Outcome of meetings 

COM 

MS 

EN 

6 
EN 

 
 
 
 
 
DEMAND REDUCTION 

Strategy aim 22 

Measurable reduction of the use of drugs, of dependence and of drug related health and social risks 

Aim 

Action proposed 

Timetable  Responsible Party  Assessment tool /Indicator 

7. Improve coverage of 
access to and 
effectiveness of drug 
demand reduction 
measures 

Ensure evaluation of drug demand reduction 
programmes and effective dissemination of 
evaluated best practices. More effective use and 
regular updating of the EMCDDA based EDDRA 
(Exchange on Drug Demand Reduction Action) 
and other databases 

2007 

MS 

EMCDDA 

Number of evaluated drug 
demand reduction 
programmes in EDDRA; 
number of users of EDDRA 

Drug use and risk perception 
on drugs among pupils 
(EMCDDA) 

Strategy aim 25.1 

Improving access to and effectiveness of prevention programmes, including targeted prevention and family/community-based prevention  

8. Improve access to and 
effectiveness of school-
based prevention 
programmes 

Ensure that comprehensive prevention 
programmes covering both licit and illicit drugs as 
well as poly-drug use are included in school 
curricula or are implemented as widely as possible 

2007 

MS 

9. Set up targeted 
prevention. Develop 
new ways of reaching 

Develop and improve prevention programmes for 
specific target groups (e.g. families at risk, school 
drop outs) and specific settings (e.g. drugs and 

2007 

MS 

Number of MS having 
included comprehensive 
programme-based drug 
prevention in schools; 
percentage of pupils reached 

Rate of availability of 
prevention programmes for 
specific target groups 

EN 

7 
EN 

 
 
 
 
target groups, e.g. by 
using Internet 

driving, drugs at the work place, drugs in 
recreational settings) 

COM 

(EMCDDA) 
COM study on the influence 
of alcohol, drugs and 
medicines on driving by 2008 
MS Report to the HDG on 
coverage of drug programmes 
at work place by 2008 
Number, coverage and 
evaluated effectiveness of 
prevention projects in 
recreational settings 
(EMCDDA) 

Strategy aim 25.2 

Improving access to early intervention programmes especially for young people with experimental use of psychoactive substances 

10. Improve methods for 
early detection of risk 
factors and early 
intervention 

Detection of drug use included in the training of 
professionals who come into contact with potential 
drug users 

Ongoing  MS 

MS Report on estimated 
percentage of professionals 
who receive such training by 
2008 

Age of first drug use/ first 
treatment demand 
(EMCDDA) 

EN 

8 
EN 

 
 
 
Strategy aim 25.3 

Improving access to targeted and diversified treatment programmes, including integrated psychosocial and pharmacological care 

11. Ensure the 
availability of and 
access to targeted and 
diversified treatment and 
rehabilitation 
programmes 

1. Treatment options covering a variety of 
psychosocial and pharmacological approaches to 
be available and correspond to demand for 
treatment 

2. Establish strategies and guidelines for increasing 
availability of services for drug users not reached 
by existing services 

Ongoing  MS 

Treatment demand and 
availability indicators 
(EMCDDA) 

Ongoing  MS 

Idem 

3. Improve access to and coverage of rehabilitation 
and social reintegration programmes 

Ongoing  MS 

Idem 

12. Improve the quality 
of treatment services 

Agree on EU wide minimum standards on drug 
treatment 

2008 

Council 

COM proposal by 2007 

COM 

Ongoing  MS 

Ongoing  MS 

COM 

MS Report to the HDG by 
2008 

COM proposal for a 
recommendation by 2007 

13. Further develop 
alternatives to 
imprisonment for drug 
addicts and drug 
services for people in 
prisons 

1. Make effective use and develop further 
alternatives to prison for drug addicts who commit 
drug related offences 

2. Develop prevention, treatment and harm 
reduction services for people in prison, 
reintegration services on release from prison and 
methods to monitor/analyse drug use among 
prisoners 

EN 

9 
EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Strategy aim 25.4 

Improving access to services for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, other infections, diseases and drug related health and social damage 

14. Prevention of health 
risks related to drug use 

Implementation of the Council Recommendation 
on the prevention and reduction of health related 
harm associated with drug dependence 

Ongoing  MS 

COM report by 2006 

15. Availability and 
access to harm reduction 
services 

Ensure access to services for addicts, including 
substitution and maintenance treatment, needle 
exchange and similar services assigned to reduce 
risks 

Ongoing  MS 

16. Prevention of the 
spread of HIV/AIDS, 
hepatitis C, other blood 
born infections and 
diseases 

Ensure the implementation of comprehensive 
programmes on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, other 
blood born diseases incorporating coordination and 
collaboration between all services providers 
directed at vulnerable groups 

Ongoing  MS 

COM 

Estimated number of 
syringes distributed and 
drug users reached 
(EMCDDA) 

Treatment demand and 
availability indicators 
(EMCDDA) 

Prevalence indicators on 
HIV, hepatitis C and other 
infections (EMCDDA) 

17. Reduction of drug 
related deaths 

Reduction of drug related deaths to be included as 
a specific target at all levels with interventions 
specifically designed for this purpose 

Ongoing  MS 

Drug related deaths 
indicator (EMCDDA) 

EN 

10 
EN 

 
 
 
 
SUPPLY REDUCTION 

Strategy aim 27.1 

Strengthening EU law enforcement co-operation on both strategic levels and crime prevention levels, in order to enhance operational activities in the field of 
drugs and the diversion of precursors 

18. Reduce the 
production and supply of 
synthetic drugs 

Develop a long-term solution for the use of 
forensic profiling of synthetic drugs for law 
enforcement purposes building on previous 
experiences 

2008 

MS 

COM Report 

COM 

Europol 

19. Target money 
laundering in relation to 
drug crime 

Implement joint operational projects 

Ongoing  MS 

Europol 

Eurojust 

20. Utilise confiscated 
assets to finance drug 
projects 

Explore the possibility of developing a fund to be 
used for joint operational projects to be financed 
from the confiscation of assets earned through drug 
production and trafficking 

2007 

COM 

Number of projects initiated 
or completed 

Drug related criminal cash 
flows detected and disrupted 

Study on best practice in the 
establishment of such a fund  

21. Explore possible 
links between drug 
trafficking and financing 
of terrorism 

EN 

Conduct research into possible links between drug 
trafficking and financing of terrorism 

2007 

COM 

Research completed 

MS 

11 
EN 

 
 
 
22. Step up work on 
prevention of drug 
related crime 

Assess extent of drug related crime in the EU 

2006 

MS 

EMCDDA 

Compilation of the existing 
studies to be presented by the 
EMCDDA to the COM by 
2008 

Availability or perceived 
availability of drugs at street 
level, price, purity and 
potency (EMCDDA) 

23. Examine drug 
related crime prevention 
practices in third 
countries 

24. Increase training for 
law enforcement 
agencies  

Conduct a study on drug related crime prevention 
practices in third countries 

2008 

COM 

Study completed 

CEPOL to include in its annual work programmes 
more training courses for law enforcement 
agencies specifically relating to combating drug 
production and trafficking 

2006 

CEPOL 

Additional relevant training 
included in the CEPOL 
Annual Work Programme 
from 2007 

Strategy aim 27.2 – 27.3  

Intensifying effective law enforcement cooperation between Member States using existing instruments and frameworks 

Prevention and punishment of the illicit import and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances  

Aim 

Action proposed 

Timetable  Responsible Party  Assessment tool /Indicator 

25. Step up and develop 
law enforcement co-
operation between 
Member States and, 

EN 

1. Implement joint operational projects, such as 
joint investigation teams, joint customs operations 
and a European transport police cooperation 

Ongoing  MS 

Europol 

Number of joint operational 
projects initiated or 
completed 

Quantity of precursors and 

12 
EN 

 
 
 
 
network 

where appropriate, with 
third countries, Europol 
and/or Eurojust against 
international organised 
drug production and 
trafficking 

Eurojust 

drugs seized  

Number of criminal groups 
disrupted 

Number of illicit laboratories 
dismantled 

2. Europol to compile and disseminate an 
assessment of the threat to the EU arising from 
drug production and supply 

Bi-annual  MS 

Assessment report 

Europol 

Implement joint operational projects such as the 
European Joint Unit on Precursors  

Ongoing  MS 

Europol 

Eurojust 

26. Combat serious 
criminal activity in the 
field of precursor 
chemical diversion by 
stepping up law 
enforcement cooperation 
between Member States 
and, as appropriate, with 
third countries, Europol 
and/or Eurojust 

27. Prevent the diversion 
of precursors, in 
particular synthetic drug 
precursors imported into 
the EU 

1. Implement the EU precursor legislation, in 
particular the cooperation between MS in relation 
to controls of imports of synthetic drug precursors 
and strengthening customs controls at the external 
border of the EU 

Ongoing  MS 

COM 

Number of joint operational 
projects initiated or 
completed 

Quantity of precursors and 
drugs seized 

Number of criminal groups 
disrupted 

Number of risk controls 
established 

2. Support international operations of the UN 
INCB (International Narcotics Control Board), in 

Ongoing  MS 

Number of operations 
initiated or completed 

COM 

EN 

13 
EN 

 
 
 
particular Project Prism 

Europol 

Strategy aim 27.5 

Intensifying law enforcement efforts directed at non EU countries, especially producer countries and regions along trafficking routes 

28. Establish and expand 
networks of Member 
State liaison officers in 
producer countries and 
countries along 
trafficking routes 

1. Each network to meet to improve operational 
cooperation and coordination of MS action in third 
countries 

Twice a 
year 

MS 

Number of meetings held 

2. Implement operations with law enforcement 
agencies of third countries 

Ongoing  MS 

Number of operations 
initiated and completed 

EN 

14 
EN 

 
 
 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 

Strategy aim 30.1 

Coordinated, effective and more visible action by the Union in international organisations and fora 

Aim 

Action proposed 

Timetable  Responsible Party  Assessment tool /Indicator 

29. Adopt EU common 
positions on drugs in 
international fora 

EU positions at international meetings dealing with 
drugs issues to be prepared in the HDG. EU 
coordination meetings to take place during 
Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and other 
meetings 

Annual 

PRES 

MS 

COM 

Number of EU positions for 
relevant international 
meetings 

30. Articulate and 
promote the EU 
approach on drugs 

The Presidency and/or Commission to take the 
lead role in articulating and promoting the EU’s 
balanced approach 

31. Bring forward EU 
joint resolutions and to 
co-sponsor other 
resolutions  

At the UN, in particular the CND, the Presidency 
to endeavour to have resolutions brought forward 
as EU joint resolutions and/or EU co-sponsoring of 
other resolutions  

Annual 

PRES 

Number of EU statements 

MS 

COM 

Annual 

PRES 

MS 

COM 

Number of EU joint 
resolutions and co-
sponsored resolutions 

EN 

15 
EN 

 
 
 
Strategy aim 30.2 

Special efforts in relation to the candidate countries, and potential candidate countries, such as the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process  

32. Support the 
candidate and 
stabilisation and 
association process 
countries 

Provide the necessary technical and other 
assistance to these countries to familiarise them 
with the EU acquis and to assist them in carrying 
out the required actions 

2008 

MS 

COM 

EMCDDA 

Europol 

33. Enable candidate 
countries to participate 
in the work of 
EMCDDA and Europol 

Strategy aim 30.3 

Conclude agreements with candidate countries 

2008  

Council  

COM 

Number of projects 
completed; expenditure and 
percentage of total 
expenditure on assistance to 
these countries 

Number of cooperation 
agreements concluded 

Assisting third countries, including European Neighbourhood countries, and key drug producing and transit countries to be more effective in both drugs 
demand and drugs supply reduction  

34. Assist European 
Neighbourhood 
countries  

1. Implement drugs part of European 
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans 

2. Implement drugs part of the EU-Russia Action 
Plan against organised crime 

2008 

MS 

COM 

2006 

MS 

COM 

Number of drugs provisions 
implemented 

Number of drugs provisions 
implemented 

EN 

16 
EN 

 
 
 
 
35. Provide assistance to 
third countries/regions 

Assistance to be linked to the drugs actions plans 
adopted by the EU with various regions.  

2008 

MS 

COM 

Particular assistance to be provided to Afghanistan 
in the context of the development of its Drug 
Control Strategy and to neighbouring countries in 
order to reinforce a regional approach 

1. Use mechanisms, such as the Coordination and 
Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs between the 
EU/Latin America and the Caribbean and Drug 
Troika meetings  

2. Review the activities and measures and, where 
appropriate, establish new priorities in the drugs 
action plans the EU has adopted with: 

Ongoing 

Council 

COM 

Council 

COM 

- Latin America and the Caribbean 

- Central Asia 

- Western Balkan countries 

2006 

2007 

2008 

Number of projects 
completed; expenditure and 
percentage of total 
expenditure on assistance to 
these countries/regions 

Annual report on the use of 
these mechanisms 

Review reports 

1. Exchange information on operational activities 
in third countries and regions 

Annual 

Council 

Annual report by COM 

2. Evaluate EC and Member States drug projects 
included in cooperation programmes 

2008 

COM 

MS 

COM 

MS and COM reports to the 
Council 

3. Identify duplication and gaps in technical 
assistance 

2008 

Council 

Update of the database on 
technical assistance projects 

17 
EN 

36. Continue and 
develop an active 
political engagement by 
the EU with third 
countries/regions  

37. Improve the 
coherence of the 
assistance to third 
countries/regions  

EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COM 

in candidate and third 
countries by COM on the 
basis of information 
provided by MS. COM 
report to the Council 

EN 

18 
EN 

 
 
 
INFORMATION, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION 

Strategy aim 31 

A better understanding of the drugs problem and the development of an optimum response to it  

Aim 

Action proposed 

Timetable 

Responsible Party 

Assessment tool /Indicator 

38. Provide fully reliable 
and comparable data on 
key epidemiological 
indicators 

Full implementation of the five key 
epidemiological indicators and, as 
appropriate, fine tuning of these indicators  

2008 

MS 

EMCDDA 

Reports from the MS 
identifying possible problems 
in implementation 

EMCDDA 

Europol 

Council 

COM 

39. Provide reliable 
information on drug 
situation 

Establish a consolidated list of indicators 
and assessment tools for the evaluation of 
the EU Drug Strategy and Action Plans 

Ongoing 

COM 

40. Develop clear 
information on emerging 
trends and patterns of 
drug use and drug 
markets 

Achieve an agreement on EU guidelines and 
mechanisms on detecting, monitoring and 
responding to emerging trends 

2008 

41. Produce estimates on 
public  expenditure  on 
drug issues 

Member States and Commission to develop 
estimates  of  direct  and  indirect  expenditure 
on drugs 

2006  

MS 

COM 

EN 

19 
EN 

COM Annual review with the 
support of the EMCDDA and 
Europol 

COM Proposal by 2007 in 
cooperation with the EMCDDA 
and Europol 

Expenditure estimates on drug 
related law enforcement, drug 
related health and social issues 
and international cooperation, 
with the support of the 
EMCDDA 

 
 
 
Strategy aim 31.2 

Each of the EU Action Plan should include priority research topics to be fostered at the EU level, taking into account the rapid evolution of the drugs problem 

42. Better understanding 
on the factors behind 
addiction and dependence 
and on addiction treatment 

Promote research on biomedical, 
psychosocial and other factors behind 
drug use and addiction in the context of 
Community Programme for Research and 
Development and in Member States 

Ongoing 

MS 

COM 

43. To create networks of 
excellence in drug 
research 

Encourage research networks, universities 
and professionals to develop/create 
networks of excellence for the optimal use 
of resources and effective dissemination 
of results 

2007 

COM 

Identification and inclusion of 
topics in the Framework 
Programme and the work 
programmes as well as national 
research programmes 

Amount of successful drug 
related applications to the 
Research Programme and 
number of projects supported at 
the MS level 

COM report on the level of 
networking and acquired 
funding for these networks 

EN 

20 
EN 

 
 
 
 
Strategy aim 32  

To give clear indications about the merits and shortcomings of current actions and activities on EU level  

44. Continuous and 
overall evaluation 

1. Commission to present progress reviews 
to the Council and the European Parliament 
on the implementation of the Action Plan 
and proposals to deal with identified gaps 
and possible new challenges 

2. Commission to organise an impact 
assessment with a view of proposing a new 
Action Plan for 2009 – 2012 

Annual 

COM 

Progress reviews 

2008 

COM 

Impact assessment with the 
support of EMCDDA and 
Europol 

45. Follow up of the 
mutual evaluation of 
drug law enforcement 
systems in the Member 
States 

Extent of implementation of 
recommendations for best practices  

2006 

Council 

Council report and proposal for 
recommendations 

EN 

21 
EN