Attachment Files

PDF | EU Drug Strategy - Full Report

Summary/Abstract

This EU Drugs Strategy provides the overarching political framework and priorities for EU drugs policy identified by Member States and EU institutions, for the period 2013-2020.

Content

EU Drugs Strategy (2013-2020)

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1. This EU Drugs Strategy provides the overarching political framework and priorities for EU drugs  policy identified by Member States and EU institutions, for the period 2013-2020. The framework,  aim and objectives of this Strategy will serve as a basis for two consecutive 4 year EU Drugs Action plans.

2. This Drugs Strategy is based first and foremost on the fundamental principles of EU law and, in  every regard, upholds the founding values of the Union: respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, solidarity, the rule of law and human rights. It aims to protect and improve the  wellbeing of society and of the individual, to protect public health, to offer a high level of security  for the general public and to take a balanced, integrated and evidence-based approach to the drugs
phenomenon.

3. The Strategy is also based on international law, the relevant UN Conventions1 which provide the international legal framework for addressing the illicit drugs phenomenon and the Universal  Declaration on Human Rights. This EU Drugs Strategy takes into account relevant UN political  documents, including the UN Political Declaration and Action Plan on International Cooperation  towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, adopted in 2009,  which states that drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction are mutually reinforcing elements in illicit drugs policy and the UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. The Strategy has been drafted on the basis of the principles set out in the Lisbon Treaty and on the respective  competences of the Union and individual Member States. Due regard is given to subsidiarity and  proportionality, as this EU Strategy intends to add value to national strategies. The Strategy shall be  implemented in accordance with these principles and competencies. Furthermore, the Strategy  respects fully the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental  Rights.

4. By 2020, the priorities and actions in the field of illicit drugs, encouraged and coordinated  through this EU Drugs Strategy, should have achieved an overall impact on key aspects of the EU  drug situation. They shall ensure a high level of human health protection, social stability and  security, through a coherent, effective and efficient implementation of measures, interventions and  approaches in drug demand and drug supply reduction at national, EU and international level, and  by minimising potential unintended negative consequences associated with the implementation of  these actions.

5. The drugs phenomenon is a national and international issue that needs to be addressed in a global  context. In this regard, coordinated action carried out at EU level plays an important role. This  EU Drugs Strategy provides a common and evidence-based framework for responding to the drugs  phenomenon within and outside the EU. By providing a framework for joint and complementary  actions, the Strategy ensures that resources invested in this area are used effectively and efficiently,  whilst taking into account the institutional and financial constraints and capacities of Member States  and of the EU institutions.

6. The Strategy aims to contribute to a reduction in drug demand and drug supply within the EU, as  well as a reduction as regards the health and social risks and harms caused by drugs through a  strategic approach that supports and complements national policies, that provides a framework for  coordinated and joint actions and that forms the basis and political framework for EU external  cooperation in this field. This will be achieved through an integrated, balanced and evidence-based  approach.

7. Finally, this Strategy builds on the lessons learned from the implementation of previous  EU Drugs Strategies and associated Action Plans, including the findings and recommendations  from the external evaluation of the EU Drugs Strategy 2005-2012, while taking into account other  relevant policy developments and actions at EU level and international level in the field of drugs.