Maatregelen voor nieuwe synthetische drugs (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Pools voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2011 i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 8 juli 2011.

Illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances were the key theme of the European Action on Drugs (EAD) conference co-organised by the European Commission and the Polish Presidency in the EU.

The conference provided a platform for exchange of opinions between national and European-level policy makers and people working on grassroots initiatives on the national level. Speakers included: Adam Rapacki, the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Andrzej Wlodarczyk, the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Health as well as representatives of European institutions accountable for drug policy. The conference was also joined by representatives of the civic society - signatories of the European Campaign on Drugs, scientists and guests of honour.

Adam Rapacki, the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Interior and Administration, added that the date of the Conference coincided with the Polish Presidency in the EU Council during which drug-related crime, and especially crime involving synthetic drugs and new synthetic drugs, will be one of the key priorities of the Presidency in the area of home affairs.

„Recently, Poland had to face a new massive challenge brought by life and health-threatening consumption of the so-called legal highs. Teamed up with the scale and the dynamics of this phenomenon which ballooned in Poland, the popularity of these substances and detrimental consequences for the public health they have brought forced the Polish government to undertake decisive measures in order to protect its citizens,” Minister Rapacki said.

The event brought together professional and volunteers working in the field of drugs and who on a daily basis need to answers practical questions such as: How can voluntary testing for illicit drug use be performed? How to educate the press in reporting on drugs and other addictions to assure reliable communication?, How to make use of music therapy? What can a private company do to identify and educate people about new psychoactive substances that appear on the market? Is music an effective vehicle to reach young people with a positive message?

Launched two years ago as a contribution to the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the EAD campaign was rolled out to increase awareness about threats posed by consumption of illicit drugs. This year’s conference was attended by over 120 participants representing organisations which decided to commit themselves to implement specific actions in this area.

Celebrated sport, entertainment and media personages shared their experiences, and many of them signed the pledge for action.

The emergence of new psychoactive substances was one of the main themes of the event. The European Commission is responsible for proposing to Member States that new drugs be put under control under the Council Decision 2005/387/JHA. The Commission is reviewing this Decision’s mechanism for the rapid exchange of information on new drugs instituted by the Council Decision and is considering how to make it more effective. This issue will be at the forefront of the agenda when Vice-President of the European Commission V.Reding i will present the Commission's "Report on the assessment of the functioning of Council Decision 2005/387/JHA of 10 May 2005 on the information exchange, risk assessment and control of new psychoactive substances”. In this way, the European Commission is supporting Poland and other EU Member States in their combat against synthetic drugs.

More information:

  • 1. 
    European Campaign on Drugs: www.action-drugs.eu
  • 2. 
    The website the EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009-2012:

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/combating_drugs/jl0019_en.htm