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Issue 72,
16 June 2011
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International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking – 26 June 2011
Wolfgang Götz, Director, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
With 7 000 to 8 000 fatal overdoses every year, drug use in Europe still represents a major threat to public health. Europe’s drugs problem is also changing, with more problems now associated with the use of stimulant drugs, like cocaine, and with new substances increasingly appearing on the European market.
Preventing drug use and offering effective treatment for substance abuse are central pillars of Europe’s response to drugs. One key achievement since the 1990s has been the scaling up of care for drug users in order to prevent deaths and viral infections. Every year in the EU, at least 1 million people receive some form of treatment for drug problems and 50-100 million clean needles and syringes are exchanged or distributed to drug injectors.
These improvements have been not only quantitative but also qualitative. Interventions today have a stronger evidence base than in the past, and evaluation has become a core element of drug policy in many countries. This is also the case at EU level, where the EU drug strategy 2005–12 is currently undergoing an external evaluation. The EMCDDA is contributing to this assessment with a trend report showing the main changes over this period in the drug situation and in interventions by national governments.
This year, on the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the European Commission will publish its latest Eurobarometer study on young people’s attitudes to drugs. Meanwhile, the European Action on Drugs campaign continues to mobilise society around the dangers of illicit drug use.
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New EU tobacco awareness campaign "Ex-smokers are unstoppable"
The Commission launches the new campaign: "Ex-smokers are unstoppable". Its aim is to encourage young adults in the 25 to 34 age group to stop smoking. The new campaign will shift the focus from the dangers of smoking to the advantages of quitting smoking, using ex-smokers and their achievements as inspiring role models.
New EU tobacco awareness campaign "Ex-smokers are unstoppable"
The Commission launches the new campaign: "Ex-smokers are unstoppable". Its aim is to encourage young adults in the 25 to 34 age group to stop smoking. The new campaign will shift the focus from the dangers of smoking to the advantages of quitting smoking, using ex-smokers and their achievements as inspiring role models.
Preventing E Coli infection – advice for the public in all EU languages
Public health advice on prevention of diarrhoeal illness with special focus on Shiga toxin - producing Escherichia coli (STEC), also called verotoxin - producing E. coli (VTEC) or enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC).
Preventing E Coli infection – advice for the public in all EU languages
Public health advice on prevention of diarrhoeal illness with special focus on Shiga toxin - producing Escherichia coli (STEC), also called verotoxin - producing E. coli (VTEC) or enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC).
Increasing number of people receiving HIV treatment
The latest figures show a 16-fold increase in the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 2003 and 2010.
Increasing number of people receiving HIV treatment
The latest figures show a 16-fold increase in the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 2003 and 2010.
Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields may cause cancer
The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.
Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields may cause cancer
The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.
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Bulgaria
Campaign to reduce smoking by pregnant women
This national campaign informs young women about the dangers that smoking during pregnancy pose to their unborn child.
Denmark
New Danish eHealth portal
The new portal 'Sundhed.dk' has compiled key information under a theme called 'Patient Rights', enabling healthcare consumers to be better informed.
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EU adopts ambitious measures to fight falsified medicines
The law introduces new harmonised, pan-European safety and control measures.
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Minimum quality standards in the prevention, treatment and harm reduction of drugs (Brussels, 15-17 June 2011)
This meeting – hosted by the Commission and the Hungarian EU presidency – will bring together policy-makers, practitioners, NGOs and researchers in the fields of drug prevention, treatment and harm reduction.
Impact of Environmental Factors on Health conference (Riga, 25-27 July 2011)
Forum for the dissemination and exchange of information on the diverse aspects of the impact of environmental factors on health across different disciplines.
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World Drug Report 2010
The report opens with an analytical discussion of 3 key transnational drug markets: heroin, cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants.
World Drug Report 2010
The report opens with an analytical discussion of 3 key transnational drug markets: heroin, cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants.
Over 40 new drugs reported in 2010
Results and outlines of the key achievements for 2010 on information exchange, risk-assessment and control of new psychoactive substances.
Over 40 new drugs reported in 2010
Results and outlines of the key achievements for 2010 on information exchange, risk-assessment and control of new psychoactive substances.
2010 annual report on the drugs problem in Europe
Yearly overview published by the EMCDDA.
2010 annual report on the drugs problem in Europe
Yearly overview published by the EMCDDA.
The state of men's health in Europe
On 14 June 2011, Commissioner Dalli gave a speech on men's health in Europe. Further information can be found in the leaflet on "The State of Men's Health in Europe". The leaflet highlights the range of mortality and morbidity data arising form many different health conditions.
The state of men's health in Europe
On 14 June 2011, Commissioner Dalli gave a speech on men's health in Europe. Further information can be found in the leaflet on "The State of Men's Health in Europe". The leaflet highlights the range of mortality and morbidity data arising form many different health conditions.
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International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking (26 June 2011)
Activities at EU level
Health-EU – Drugs
European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
Illicit drugs
European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
Anti-drugs policy
European Commission - Justice
EMCDDA - European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
Health Programme Projects
More Treat - Models of good practice in drug treatment in Europe
The project identifies, collects and evaluates models of good practice in drug treatment or intervention in Europe.
Prevention Standards - European standards for drug prevention
Enabling anti-drugs actors to bridge the gaps between science, policy, and practice as well as to demonstrate success in reaching objectives of national, and EU drugs action plans.
SEID - Strategic European inventory on drugs
This project aims at increasing the participating countries' understanding of intervention options for young polydrug users.
Other interesting links
Eurad - Europe against Drugs
Pompidou group - Combating drug abuse and trafficking
UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
INCB - International drug control conventions
WHO-Substance abuse
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