EU Drugs Action Plan (2005-2008)
Date: 2005-07-08
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: action programme, cooperation policy, drug addiction, drug traffic, fight against crime

8.7.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/1

I

(Information)

COUNCIL

EU Drugs Action Plan (2005-2008)

(2005/C 168/01)

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 in a series of Member States. The importance of taking a strong stance
against drugs trafficking at all levels and the need for a trans-national and coherent approach in combating
drugs trafficking has been reflected in the adoption of the Framework Decision laying down minimum
provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of drug trafficking (1).
Given the global nature of the drugs problem, the EU takes action by utilising a number of political instru-
ments, such as the dialogue on drugs with various regions of the world. Finding a realistic and effective
response to this global problem remains 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 (2).

The Strategy has a number of major aims:

— 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;

(1) OJ L 335 of 11.11.2004; evaluation report to be submitted by the Commission by 12 May 2009 at the latest in the

framework of the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2009-2012.

(2) Point 2.8 European Union Strategy on Drugs: ‘The European Council underlines the importance of addressing the
drugs problem in a comprehensive, balanced and multidisciplinary approach between the policy of prevention, assis-
tance and rehabilitation of drug dependence, the policy of combating illegal drug trafficking and precursors and
money laundering, including the strengthening of international cooperation. The European Strategy on Drugs 2005-
2012 will be added to the programme after its adoption by the European council in December 2004’.

C 168/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

8.7.2005

— 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 and adopted by the Council with some amendments 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.

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 have been chosen on the basis of 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 targeted and realistic.

In terms of methodology, the Commission and the Council have 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 imple-
mentation on track, targets whose deadlines have passed or are unlikely to be met will be subject to recom-
mendations 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.

(1) COM(2004) 707 final.

COORDINATION

Identifiable Result:

Coordination is key to the establishment and conduct of a successful strategy against drugs. EU-level coordination of drugs policy should take place through the HDG. The HDG should regularly devote attention
to external aspects of drugs policy. 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.

(Related Strategy priorities 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)

Objective

Action

Timetable (1)

Responsible
Party (2) (3) (4)

Assessment tool/Indicator

1. Ensure a balanced, multidisciplinary approach

Member States, with due regard to their national legis-
lation and administrative structures, to adopt an overall
national strategy and one or several action plans on
drugs and to ensure that national strategies/action plans
are in line with the EU Strategy/Action Plans

2007

MS

Annual report on national strategies/action plan by the
COM, in cooperation with the EMCDDA

2. Effective coordination at EU and national level

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

MS to report to the COM on existing national coordina-
tion structures
Annual report on national structures by the COM,
cooperation with the EMCDDA

in

3. Strengthen the involvement of civil society

1. The Commission to issue a Green Paper on ways to

2006

COM

COM's Green Paper

effectively cooperate with civil society

2. Member States to give the opportunity to civil

2007

MS

MS report to the HDG by 2008

society to present their opinion

4. Effective coordination in the Council

1. The HDG to focus its activities on the monitoring of

Ongoing

Council

COM's Annual Progress Review

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
(e.g. Police cooperation WG, customs cooperation
WG, Multidisciplinary Group on organised crime,
Public health WG, etc.)

Ongoing

PRES
Council

Report of other Council working groups (or the PRES) to
the HDG on drug related issues
Results of the HDG discussions on external relations
drug issues reported to the relevant working groups and
vice-versa

.

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5. Systematic mainstreaming of drugs policy into relations

and agreements with relevant third countries

1. Ensure that EU action plans for various regions are
only adopted if adequate resources for their imple-
mentation are allocated

Ongoing

Council

COM Report by 2008

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2. Include a specific provision on drugs cooperation in
new agreements with third countries/regions. HDG
should be informed of the opening of relevant nego-
tiations.

Annual

Council
COM

Number of new agreements with a specific provision on
drugs

E
N

6. Maintain regular forum for EU coordination

The Presidency 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
MS
COM

Outcome of meetings

DEMAND REDUCTION

Identifiable Result:

Measurable reduction of the use of drugs, of dependence and of drug-related health and social risks through the development and improvement of an effective and integrated comprehensive knowledge-based
demand reduction system including prevention, early intervention, treatment, harm reduction, rehabilitation and social reintegration measures within the EU Member States. Drug demand reduction measures
must take into account the health-related and social problems caused by the use of illegal psychoactive substances and of poly-drug use in association with legal psychoactive substances such as tobacco, alcohol
and medicines.

(Related to Strategy priorities 23, 24 and 25)

Objective

Action

Timetable

Responsible
Party

Assessment tool/Indicator

7. Improve coverage of, access to and effectiveness of

drug demand reduction measures

Improve coverage of, access to, quality and evaluation
of drug demand reduction programmes and ensure
effective dissemination of evaluated best practices
the
effective use and regular updating of
More
EMCDDA based EDDRA (Exchange on Drug Demand
Reduction Action) and other databases

2007

MS
EMCDDA

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of access to and
effectiveness of drug demand measures (EMCDDA treat-
ment demand indicators, EDDRA data analysis).
Drug use and risk perception on drugs in the general
population and school studies (EMCDDA)

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8. Improve access to and effectiveness of school-based
in accordance with national

prevention programmes,
legislation.

1. Ensure that comprehensive effective and evaluated
prevention programmes on both licit and illicit
psychoactive substances, as well as poly-drug use,
are included in school curricula or are implemented
as widely as possible.

2007

MS

Number of MS having implemented comprehensive
effective programmes on prevention of psychoactive
substances in schools; percentage of pupils reached

2. Support implementation and development of joint
school

prevention programs of public services,
communities and relevant NGO's.

2007

MS

Idem

9. Set up, develop and improve selective prevention and
new ways of reaching target groups, e.g. by using
different media and new information technologies.

for
Develop and improve prevention programmes
selected target groups (e.g. street operators, socially
disadvantaged groups, socially excluded children and
families at risk, young people in the out of school
sector) and specific settings (e.g. drugs and driving,
drugs in the work place, drugs in recreational settings)
taking into account gender differences.

2008

MS
COM

for

Rate of availability of prevention programmes
specific target groups (EMCDDA)
COM study on the influence of alcohol, drugs and medi-
cines on driving by 2008
Number
programs in the work place
Number, coverage and evaluated effectiveness of preven-
tion projects in recreational settings (EMCDDA)

of Member

implemented

having

States

10. Improve methods for early detection of risk factors

and early intervention

1. Detection of risk factors related to experimental use
by different
target groups, especially by young
people and the dissemination thereof for the benefit
of early intervention programmes and the training
of professionals

Ongoing

MS

MS report on risk factors related to drug use of the
different target groups, especially by young people

2. Ensure the provision of training for relevant profes-
sionals who come into contact with potential drug
users, especially young people

Ongoing

MS

MS Report on estimated percentage of professionals who
receive specific training by 2008.
Age of first drug use/first treatment demand (EMCDDA)

3. Implementation
programmes,
to experimental use of psychoactive substances

intervention
early
including measures especially related

the

of

Ongoing

MS

Number of early intervention programmes implemented
(EMCDDA)
Estimated population reached (EMCDDA)

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

1. Evidence based treatment options covering a variety
of psychosocial and pharmacological approaches to
be available and correspond to demand for treat-
ment

Ongoing

MS

Treatment demand and availability indicators (EMCDDA)

2. Establish strategies and guidelines for

increasing
availability of and access to services for drug users
not reached by existing services

Ongoing

MS

Treatment demand and availability indicators (EMCDDA)

3. Improve access to and coverage of rehabilitation
and social reintegration programmes, paying special
attention to
(social, psychological,
medical) services for young people who use drugs

specialized

Ongoing

MS

Number of people
(EMCDDA)

covered by these programmes

4. Organise and promote dissemination of information
on the availability of treatment and rehabilitation
programmes

Ongoing

MS

Number of national and local campaigns (EMCDDA)

12. Improve the quality of treatment services

Support development of know-how on drug treatment
while continuing to develop and support the exchange
of best practices in this field

2008

Council
COM

COM report by 2007

13. Further develop alternatives to imprisonment for drug
abusers and drug services for people in prisons, with
due regard to national legislation.

1. Make effective use and develop further alternatives

Ongoing

MS

MS Report to the HDG by 2008

to prison for drug abusers

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.

Ongoing

MS
COM

COM proposal for a recommendation by 2007

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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

Improve access for addicts to all relevant services and
treatment options designed to reduce harm,
in due
regard with national legislation

Ongoing

MS

Treatment demand and availability indicators (EMCDDA)
Analysis of different types of harm and damage reduc-
tion services available in the MS (EMCDDA)

16. Prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C,

other blood born infections and diseases

17. Reduction of drug related deaths

SUPPLY REDUCTION

Identifiable Result:

Ensure the implementation of comprehensive and coor-
dinated national and/or regional programmes on HIV/
AIDS, hepatitis C and other blood born diseases. These
programmes should be integrated into general social
and health care services.

Reduction of drug related deaths to be included as a
specific target at all levels with interventions specifically
designed for this purpose, such as promoting outreach
work, e.g. the work of street units, through well-trained
healthcare operators

Ongoing

MS
COM

Prevalence indicators on HIV, hepatitis C and other infec-
tions (EMCDDA)

Ongoing

MS

Drug related deaths indicator (EMCDDA

A measurable improvement in the effectiveness, efficiency and knowledge base of law enforcement interventions and actions by the EU and its Member States targeting production, trafficking of drugs, the diver-
sion of precursors, including the diversion of synthetic drug precursors imported into the EU, drug trafficking and the financing of terrorism, money laundering in relation to drug crime. This is to be achieved by
focusing on drug-related organised crime, using existing instruments and frameworks, where appropriate opting for regional or thematic cooperation and looking for ways of intensifying preventive action in rela-
tion to drug-related crime.

(Related Strategy Priorities 27.1, 27.2, 27.3, and 27.4)

Objective

Action

Timetable

Responsible
Party

Assessment tool/Indicator

18. Step up and develop law enforcement cooperation
between Member States and, where appropriate, with
Europol, Eurojust, third countries and international
organisations, against
international organised drug
production and trafficking

1. Implement:

— Operational

law enforcement projects, such as
joint customs opera-

joint investigation teams,
tions and joint investigations.

— Law enforcement

projects

intelligence

to
improve both the intelligence picture and inter-
ventions made. These projects should involve at
least 2 Member States and should be focused on
drug production,
illicit cross-border trafficking
and criminal networks engaged in these activ-
ities.

Ongoing

MS (5)
Europol
Eurojust

Number of operational and intelligence law enforcement
projects initiated or completed
Quantity and value of precursors and drugs seized
Number of criminal groups disrupted
Number of illicit laboratories dismantled

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Ongoing

MS
Europol

Europol reports

2. Seek to exploit to the full the operational and stra-
tegic potential of Europol, building on existing colla-
boration between Europol and the Europol National
Units and improving the intelligence picture of
supply and distribution, by:
— Member States improving the consistency with
which relevant live information (information as
specified in the opening orders of Analysis
Work Files) on drug trafficking groups and
routes is forwarded to the agency in accordance
with the provisions in the Europol Convention
for such exchange of information;

— Member States improving the consistency with
which they forward seizure data to Europol;
— Europol ensuring that the accumulated informa-
tion is available for Member States' operational
and strategic use;

— Europol providing periodic
assessments based on this data;

strategic

threat

— Evaluating the success and operational impact of
the cycle of
intelligence gathering, analysis,
distribution and resulting operational action, and
seeking the improvements thus revealed.

3. Strengthen controls at the external borders of the
EU to stem the flow of drugs from third countries.

Ongoing

MS

Quantity and value of drugs and precursors seized at the
external borders
Member States reports on actions taken by services on
strengthening controls at external borders

4. Carry out specific actions in the fight against cross-

Ongoing

MS

Member States reports on specific actions taken

border drug trafficking inside the EU.

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5. Assess the feasibility of developing a strategy for the
use of heroin and cocaine forensic profiling results
and operational
for
regarding
purposes and make recommendations
same.

law enforcement

strategic

2006

MS

Feasibility report including recommendations completed

.

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19. Reduce the production and cross-border trafficking of

heroin, cocaine and cannabis

Implement joint multidisciplinary operational and intel-
ligence gathering projects, share best practice, and
increase counter narcotics work. Focus this work on
external countries and regions associated with the
production of and cross-border trafficking in heroin,
cocaine and cannabis into the EU.

Ongoing

MS
Europol

Number of operations initiated or completed
Quantity and value of heroin cocaine and cannabis
seized
Number of criminal groups disrupted

20. Reduce the manufacture and supply of synthetic drugs

(ATS)

1. Develop operations

gathering
and intelligence
to prevent and combat synthetic drug
and trafficking. These operations
In this
the Synergy

projects
manufacture
should involve at least 2 Member States.
regard full use should be made of
Project.

Ongoing

MS (6)
Europol

Number of operations and intelligence gathering projects
initiated or completed
Quantity and value of synthetic drugs and synthetic drug
precursors seized
Number of criminal groups disrupted
Number of illicit laboratories dismantled

2. Develop a long term solution at EU level for the use
of synthetic drug forensic profiling results for law
enforcement strategic and operational purposes. The
development of such a solution should be done by
law enforcement agencies and forensic authorities
working together and building upon experiences in
this field

2008

MS
COM
Europol

Report on the development of a long term solution (7)

3. Implement fully the Council Decision on informa-
tion exchange, risk assessment and control of new
psychoactive substances

Ongoing

21. Combat

serious criminal activity in the field of
chemical precursor diversion and smuggling by step-
ping up law enforcement
cooperation between
Member States and, as appropriate, with Europol,
Eurojust, third countries and international organisa-
tions

Implement law enforcement projects such as the Euro-
pean Joint Unit on Precursors. These projects should
involve at least 2 Member States

Ongoing

Council
MS
COM
Europol
EMCDDA
European
Medicines
Agency

MS (8)
Europol
Eurojust

Europol/EMCDDA annual report to the Council, Euro-
pean Parliament and the Commission

law enforcement projects

Number of
completed
Quantity and value of precursors and drugs seized
Number of criminal groups disrupted

initiated or

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22. Prevent

the diversion of precursors,
synthetic drug precursors imported into the EU

in particular

1. Implement the Community drug precursor legisla-
tion, in particular the cooperation between MS in
relation to controls of imports of synthetic drug
precursors. Strengthen external border controls by
customs or other
and
strengthening intra-Community controls.

competent

authorities

Ongoing

MS (9)
COM

Number of seizures/stopped shipments

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

Ongoing

MS
COM
Europol

Number of seizures/stopped shipments

3. Develop cooperation between Member States' autho-
rities competent for precursor control and Industry

Ongoing

MS
COM

of Memoranda

Number
of Understanding/similar
arrangements with Industry and/or Number of seminars
with Industry
Number of notifications and number of investigations
resulting from this

23. Target money laundering and seizure of accumulated

1. Implement operational

law enforcement projects

Ongoing

assets in relation to drug crime

such as
(i) projects to pursue drug trafficking organisations
including concurrent and in depth investigation
of the criminals' finances and assets (of whatever
kind) aimed at maximising recovery of assets
and the compilation/sharing of associated intelli-
gence; and

(ii) projects aimed at detecting and disrupting crim-
inal cash flows within the EU and from the EU
to specific high-risk destinations outside the EU
and source countries.

These operational law enforcement projects should
involve at least 2 Member States

MS (10)
Europol
Eurojust

law enforcement projects

Number of operational
initiated or completed
Seizure of cash and assets seized as a result of drug
related investigations
Value of assets recovered and confiscated relative to the
number of operational
law enforcement projects
completed

2. Develop cooperation in the exchange of information
between Financial
(FIUs) by
utilising FIU-Net as a means of exchanging informa-
tion between them

Intelligence Units

2006

MS

Number of MS using FIU-Net

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3. Consider the possibility of creating national multi-
disciplinary Units for the detection and investigation
of criminals' finances and assets

2008

MS
COM

COM report on the creation of such Units

4. Identify and evaluate best practice in criminal asset
confiscation legislation and procedures of
the
Member States taking into account all relevant EU
instruments

2007

COM

5. Explore best practice in Member States which have
established and implemented a national fund used to
provide funding for projects in the drugs field and
financed from the confiscation of assets earned
through drug production and trafficking.

2007

COM

Study on best practices in MS which have established
and implemented such a fund.

24. Explore possible links between drug production and

trafficking and financing of terrorism

Identify possible links between drug production and
trafficking and financing of
terrorism and use this
information to support or initiate investigations and/or
actions

2007

COM
Europol
MS

Number of
completed

investigations and/or actions initiated or

25. Step up work on prevention of drug related crime

1. Adopting a common definition of the term 'drug-

2007

related crime'

Council
Commission

Commission proposal on the basis of the existing studies
to be brought forward by the EMCDDA

2. Share experiences and best practices in preventing
the distribution of drugs at street level and present
the results

2007

MS
Council

Results presented

3. Conduct a study on drug related crime prevention

2008

COM

Study completed

practices in third countries

26. Develop new methods and best practice to combat
drug-related crimes and to prevent the diversion of
precursors committed with the aid of
information
technology

MS to collect data on drug-related crime and precursor
diversion committed with the aid of information tech-
nology with a view to developing new methods and
best practice to combat these phenomena

2008

MS
Council

Results presented

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27. Increase training for law enforcement agencies

MS and CEPOL, within their respective competences, to
include in their annual work (training) programmes
more training courses for law enforcement officers
specifically relating to combating drug production and
trafficking

2006

MS
CEPOL

Additional relevant training included in the respective
Annual Work Programmes

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Identifiable Result:

A measurable improvement in effective and more visible coordination between Member States and between them and the Commission in promoting and furthering a balanced approach to the drugs and
precursor problem in dealings with international organisations, in international fora and with third countries. This with the aim to reduce the production and drugs supply to Europe and to assist third countries
in priority areas in reducing the demand for drugs as an integral part of political and development cooperation.

(Related Strategy Priorities 27.5, 30.1, 30.2, and 30.3)

Objective

Action

Timetable

Responsible
Party

Assessment tool/Indicator

28. Adopt EU common positions on drugs in interna-

tional fora

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

Ongoing

29. 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

Ongoing

30. 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

Ongoing

PRES
MS
COM

PRES
MS
COM

PRES
MS
COM

Number of EU positions for relevant international meet-
ings in relation to the number of national positions

Number of EU statements in relation to the number of
national statements

Number of EU joint resolutions and co-sponsored resolu-
tions in relation to the total number of resolutions
Convergence Indicator (see doc. 9099/05 CORDROGUE
27)

C

1
6
8
/
1
2

E
N

O

f
f
i
c
i
a
l

J
o
u
r
n
a
l

o
f

t
h
e

E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n
U
n
o
n

i

.

.

8
7
2
0
0
5

31. Formulate an EU contribution to the final evaluation
of the implementation of the results of the 1998 UN
General Assembly
on Drugs
Special
(UNGASS)

Session

1. Take an initiative to propose common EU criteria,
in the framework of the Commission on Narcotic
Drugs, for the final evaluation of the implementa-
tion of the Political Declaration, the Declaration on
the guiding principles of drug demand reduction
and the Measures to enhance international coopera-
tion to counter the world drug problem adopted at
UNGASS 1998

2006

COM
Council
PRES
MS

EU proposal for CND 2006 on the basis of a Commis-
sion initiative

2. Develop an EU common position on the results of
the final evaluation of the implementation of the
Political Declaration, the Declaration on the guiding
principles of drug demand reduction and the
Measures to enhance international cooperation to
the world drug problem adopted at
counter
UNGASS 1998

2008

COM
Council
PRES
MS

EU common position on the basis of a Commission
initiative

32. Support the candidate and stabilisation and associa-

tion 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

33. Enable candidate countries to participate in the work

Conclude agreements with candidate countries

2008

of EMCDDA, Europol and Eurojust (11)

34. Assist European neighbours

1. Implement drugs sections of European Neighbour-

2008

hood Policy Action Plans

MS
COM
EMCDDA
Europol

Council
COM

MS
COM

Number of projects completed; expenditure and percen-
tage of total expenditure on assistance to these countries

Number of cooperation agreements concluded

Number of drugs provisions implemented

2. Implement drugs section of the EU-Russia Action
Plan against organised crime and of the Roadmap to
the Common Space of Freedom, Security and
Justice; explore scope for enhanced action with
Russia, especially in this roadmap, and other neigh-
bouring countries to reduce the drug-related risk

2006

MS
COM

Number of drugs provisions implemented

.

.

8
7
2
0
0
5

E
N

O

f
f
i
c
i
a
l

J
o
u
r
n
a
l

o
f

t
h
e

E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n
U
n
o
n

i

C
1
6
8
/
1
3

2008

MS
COM

Number of projects completed; expenditure and percen-
tage of total expenditure on assistance to these countries/
regions

35. Ensure that the drugs concerns are taken on board
when establishing priorities in the EU's cooperation
with third countries/regions

Mainstream projects in the drugs field into the EU's
cooperation with third countries/regions, especially
those affected by drug problems. Particular attention
should be paid to providing assistance to and coop-
erating with:
— the countries on the Eastern border of the EU
— the Balkan States
— Afghanistan (particularly in the context of

the
delivery of its 2005 Counter-Narcotics Implementa-
tion Plan and future implementation plans) and its
neighbours; the EU and Member States should aim
to increase their assistance

— the Latin American and Caribbean countries
— Morocco
— countries on other drug routes
This assistance and cooperation to be linked to the
drugs action plans adopted by the EU with various
regions and the drug sections of other action plans
with EU partners, where applicable.

36. Intensify law enforcement efforts directed at non-EU
countries, especially producer countries and regions
along trafficking routes

1. Create and/or further develop MS liaison officers'
networks. Each network to meet, at least on a six
monthly basis, to improve operational cooperation
and coordination of MS action in third countries

Ongoing

MS

Number of MS liaison officer networks created and/or
further developed.
Number of meetings held

2. Provide relevant training to MS liaison officers

Ongoing

MS

Training for MS liaison officers
provided in MS Annual (training) Work Programmes

3. Implement or support, as appropriate, operational
law enforcement projects, share best practice and
increase counter narcotics work in the countries/
regions listed in Action 35

Ongoing

MS

law enforcement projects

Number of operational
initiated or completed
Quantity and value of precursors and drugs seized
Number of criminal groups disrupted
Number of illicit laboratories dismantled

4. Provide assistance to the law enforcement agencies
of the countries/regions listed in Action 35, in the
field of counteracting the production and trafficking
of drugs and diversion of precursors. This assistance
should include assistance in the field of training

Ongoing

MS
COM

Number of law enforcement drugs projects completed
Expenditure on law enforcement drugs projects

C

1
6
8
/
1
4

E
N

O

f
f
i
c
i
a
l

J
o
u
r
n
a
l

o
f

t
h
e

E
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r
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p
e
a
n
U
n
o
n

i

.

.

8
7
2
0
0
5

37. Continue and develop an active political engagement

by the EU with third countries/regions

1. Use mechanisms, such as the Coordination and
Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs between the EU/
Latin America and the Caribbean, UE specialized
dialogue on drugs with the Andean community and
Drug Troika meetings to pursue an active political
dialogue with the countries and regions concerned

Ongoing

Council
COM

Annual report on the use of these mechanisms

2. Review the activities and measures and, where
appropriate, establish new priorities in the drugs
action plans the EU has adopted with:
— Latin America and the Caribbean
— Central Asia
— Western Balkan countries

2006
2007
2008

Council
COM

Review reports

3. Participate fully in the work of international organi-
sations and fora concerned with the drugs problem,
such as the Council of Europe (Pompidou Group),
UNODC, WHO and UNAIDS

Ongoing

Council
MS
COM

Report on EU activities within these organisations and
fora

4. Utilise fully the Dublin Group as a flexible, informal
coordination mechanism for
consultation and
global, regional and country-specific problems of
illicit drugs production, trafficking and demand

Ongoing

Council
MS
Commission

Report on EU activities within the Dublin Group

5. Maintain an active dialogue with third countries for
the implementation of Mini Dublin Groups' recom-
mendations

Ongoing

Council
Dublin Group

Number of Dublin Group recommendations
mented (12)

imple-

38. Improve the coherence, visibility and efficiency of the
assistance to candidate countries and third countries/
regions

1. Exchange information on drug related technical
in
assistance projects and operational activities
candidate countries and third countries/regions,
in
particular to identify duplication and gaps in tech-
nical assistance and operational activities

Annual

Council
COM

Annual report by COM to the Council
Update of the database on technical assistance projects
in candidate and third countries by COM on the basis of
information provided by MS.

2. Evaluate EC and Member States drug projects

2008

included in cooperation programmes

MS
COM

MS and COM reports to the Council

.

.

8
7
2
0
0
5

E
N

O

f
f
i
c
i
a
l

J
o
u
r
n
a
l

o
f

t
h
e

E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n
U
n
o
n

i

C
1
6
8
/
1
5

INFORMATION, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

Identifiable Results:

(a) A better understanding of the drugs problem and the development of an optimal response to it through a measurable and sustainable improvement in the knowledge base and knowledge infrastructure.
(b) To give clear indications about the merits and shortcomings of current actions and activities on EU level, evaluation should continue to be an integral part of an EU approach to drugs policy.
(Related to Strategy priorities 31, 32)

Objective

Action

Timetable

Responsible
Party

Assessment tool/Indicator

39. Provide reliable and comparable data on key epide-

miological indicators

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

2008

MS
EMCDDA

Reports from the MS identifying possible problems in
implementation

40. Provide reliable information on the drug situation

1. Reitox National Focal Points and Europol National
Drugs Units to pursue their work to ensure their
annual and standardised reporting on national drugs
situations

Annual

MS

Reports delivered

2. EMCDDA and Europol to pursue annual reporting

Annual

on the drug phenomenon at EU scale

EMCDDA
Europol

Reports delivered

C

1
6
8
/
1
6

E
N

O

f
f
i
c
i
a
l

J
o
u
r
n
a
l

o
f

t
h
e

E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n
U
n
o
n

i

41. Develop clear information on emerging trends and

1. Achieve

patterns of drug use and drug markets

an agreement on EU guidelines
detecting, monitoring

on

mechanisms
responding to emerging trends

and
and

2008

Council
COM

COM Proposal by 2007 in cooperation with the
EMCDDA and Europol

2. The Commission to provide for a Eurobarometer
survey on youth attitude regarding drugs. The
results of the Eurobarometer should be analysed in
conjunction with the data from the EMCDDA 'Popu-
lation survey' key indicator

2008

COM

Report delivered

.

.

8
7
2
0
0
5

42. Produce estimates on public expenditure on drug

issues

Member States and Commission to consider the devel-
opment of compatible methodologies on direct and
indirect expenditure on drug-related measures, with the
support of the EMCDDA

2008

MS
COM
EMCDDA

Report based on this methodology

43. Promote research in the field of drugs

1. Promote research in the context of the Community
Programme for Research and Development and of
Member States research programmes
— on biomedical, psychosocial and other factors
contributing to drug use and addiction and
— on other relevant issues, such as the effectiveness
of primary awareness campaigns, effective inter-
ventions to prevent HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C
and the long term effects of Ecstasy use

Ongoing

MS
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

2. Promote research on identifying protective factors in
countries with low HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in
drug users.

2007

Study delivered

MS
with
support
EMCDDA

the
of

3. Make full use of the research capacity of the Council

Ongoing

of Europe (Pompidou Group)

MS
COM

Report on research activities of the Pompidou Group

44. To create networks of excellence in drug research

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

2007

COM

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

.

.

8
7
2
0
0
5

E
N

O

f
f
i
c
i
a
l

J
o
u
r
n
a
l

o
f

t
h
e

E
u
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p
e
a
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U
n
o
n

i

C
1
6
8
/
1
7

45. Continuous and overall evaluation

1. Establish a consolidated list of indicators and assess-
the EU Drug

tools for the evaluation of

ment
Strategy and Action Plans

2. Commission to present progress reviews to the
Council and the European Parliament on the imple-
mentation of the Action Plan and proposals to deal
with identified gaps and possible new challenges

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

Ongoing

COM
EMCDDA
Europol

Annual

COM

COM Annual review with the support of the EMCDDA
and Europol

COM Annual review with the support of EMCDDA and
Europol

2008

COM

Impact assessment with the support of EMCDDA and
Europol

46. Follow up of the mutual evaluation of drug law enfor-

cement systems in the Member States

Extent of implementation of recommendations for best
practices

2006

Council

Council report and proposal for recommendations

Presidency = PRES.

(1) Action to be completed by the end of the year indicated at the latest.
(2)
(3) Member States = MS.
(4)
Commission = COM.
(5)
Relevant data in relation to the assessment tool/indicator to be provided by the lead MS for the project, unless otherwise agreed.
(6)
Relevant data in relation to the assessment tool/indicator to be provided by the lead MS for the project, unless otherwise agreed.
(7) MS report in cooperation with the Commission and Europol.
(8)
(9)
(10) Relevant data in relation to the assessment tool/indicator to be provided by the lead MS for the project, unless otherwise agreed.
(11) Eurojust to cooperate with the candidate countries through nomination of contact points and consideration of cooperation agreements in line with the Council conclusions on Eurojust of 2 December 2004.
(12) The Dublin Group comprises the EU Member States/European Commission and five other countries. The EU Member States/European Commission do not therefore have exclusive ownership of their recommendations.

otherwise agreed.
Relevant data in relation to the assessment tool/indicator to be provided by the Member States.

C

1
6
8
/
1
8

E
N

O

f
f
i
c
i
a
l

J
o
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r
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a
l

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f

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h
e

E
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p
e
a
n
U
n
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n

i

.

.

8
7
2
0
0
5