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The EU understands drug use as a human problem, connected to mental and physical health and wellbeing. This understanding clearly resonates with the Rome Consensus.
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The substance of the European Union Drug Policy is encompassed in two sets of documents:
1) The EU Drug Strategy: Covers the principles and objectives of the EU drug policy
2) The EU Action Plans: Identify actions and benchmarks for implementation of EU drug policy
1) The EU Drug Strategy:
The Objectives of the EU drug policy are :
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To promote a high level of health protection, well being and social cohesion to individuals and communities and to reduce drug use and drug related harm.
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To promote high levels of security and protection from drug production, trafficking and drug related crimes within the EU borders and producing countries.
The principles of the EU Drug Strategy are:
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the right to health
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respect for human dignity
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respect for individual freedom
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democracy and solidarity
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rule of law and human rights.
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2) The Action Plan:
The Action Plan 2005-2008 aims to work on three main areas: prevention, treatment and reducing drug related harm. In each of these areas a set of actions has been identified.
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Prevention
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preventing people from starting to use drugs;
preventing experimental use becoming regular use;
early intervention for risky consumption patterns;
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Treatment & rehabilitation
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providing treatment programmes;
providing rehabilitation and social reintegration programmes;
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Reducing drug related harm
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reducing drug-related health and social damage;
reducing drug related infections HIV/Hepatitis C;
reducing drug- related deaths;
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These objectives are evaluated against a set of standards. From the evaluation of the Action Plan 2005-2008 the European commission has set forward a number of priorities for the coming years.
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Strengthen effective interventions (based on evidence)
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Prevention
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Systematic evaluation of prevention programmes;
Develop prevention for poly-drug use;
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Strengthen effective interventions (based on evidence)
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Treatment and Rehabilitation
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Develop treatment for non opioid use (cannabis, ATS);
Develop treatment on poly-drug use;
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Reduction of drug related harm
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Strengthen reduction of HIV-AIDS, Hep C;
Strengthen development of services in prisons;
Reduce drug related deaths in prisons;
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The benchmarks
The EU Action Plans are evaluated against 17 objectives, which are grouped by sets of standards.
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Standards
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Action
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Cross-cutting Standard
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Standards for prevention
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Ensure evidence-based prevention
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Standards for access
Ensure better coverage
Ensure increased access
Ensure access for vulnerable populations(e.g. young people)
Ensure better measurement of efficiency
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Standards for treatment and social rehabilitation
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Ensure evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation
Ensure a comprehensive approach to treatment (pharmacological, social, and psychological)
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Standards for reduction of drug-related harm
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Ensure the reduction of adverse health and social consequences
Reduce HIV and AIDS, Hepatitis C infection
Reduce drug-related deaths;
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The priorities
A set of priorities has been elaborated in the evaluation of the Action Plan 2005-2008 and in the framework for the Action Plan 2009-2011, recently published by the European Commission.
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Area
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Priorities
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Cross-cutting priorities
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Prevention
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Systematic evaluation of prevention programmes
Develop prevention for poly-drug use
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Better understanding of the needs of vulnerable populations (women, children, ethnic minorities)
Build a consensus on effective interventions, produce guidelines on effective intervention and strengthen implementation
Strengthen civil society involvement at all levels
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Treatment and rehabilitation
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Develop treatment for non opiate use (cannabis, ATS)
Develop treatment for poly-drug use
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Reduction of drug-related harm
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Strengthen reduction of HIV-AIDS and Hep C
Strengthen development of services in prisons
Reduce drug-related deaths in prisons
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For more information about EU Drug Policy, please refer to the Rome Consensus European Guidelines in the Resources Section.
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Disclaimer: The Information contained in this document does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission
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