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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drugs Misuse.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

276 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures in place at European Union level and the measures in train to combat the problem of misuse of drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10771/01]

The European Union Action Plan on Drugs, 2000-2004, is the principle European Union measure dealing with the problem of drug misuse. The action plan sets out detailed measures to achieve the objectives and targets in the EU Drugs Strategy, 2000-2004.

The EU strategy sets out the main aims and targets and focuses on a balanced approach to reducing the demand and supply of drugs. The aims of this five year strategy are to reduce: the prevalence of illicit drug use among young people; the incidence of drug related health damage and drug related deaths; the availability of illicit drugs; drug related crime; money laundering and illicit trafficking in precursors and to increase the number of successfully treated addicts.

The EU Action Plan on Drugs, 2000-2004, sets out detailed measures to achieve the objectives and targets of the EU Drugs Strategy. It is divided into five key areas, namely, co-ordination; information and evaluation; demand reduction, prevention of drug use and of drug related crime; supply reduction; and international co-operation.

Evaluations at mid term and on completion of the EU Drugs Strategy, 2000-2004, will ensure that member states account for the actions they have taken in accordance with the relevant sections of the action plan.

There are a number of European institutions with responsibility to assist countries in combating both the supply and demand for drugs. Principal among these institutions are the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, EMCDDA, and Europol. The principal objective of the EMCDDA is to provide reliable and comparable information on drug misuse throughout the EU. Europol supports member states in tackling drug trafficking and other serious international crime, by facilitating the exchange of information and intelligence and by providing technical analytical and co-ordination services.
In addition, EU working groups have been established to provide greater co-ordination in the field of combating drug trafficking and a number of EU funded initiatives such as the Oisin and PHARE Programmes enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement measures.
The EU has made considerable progress in developing national and EU strategies to tackle the drug problem and will continue to afford it the highest priority.
Questions Nos. 277 to 280, inclusive, answered with Question No. 264.
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