![European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction [nové okno]](/design/plain/images/left_top_menu/emcdda.gif)
![Rada vlády pro koordinaci protidrogové politiky [nové okno]](/design/plain/images/left_top_menu/rvkpp.gif)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
drogy-info.cz / Novinky odjinud / EMCDDA news
EMCDDA news
Just published: HIV in injecting drug users in the EU/EEA
In response to a notified increase in HIV cases among injecting drug users (IDU) in Greece and Romania, the European Commission asked the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in November 2011 to conduct a rapid inquiry among their network of HIV surveillance- and drug focal points to investigate whether such  increases had occurred in other countries. The assessment showed that while most European countries reported no changes in the rate of newly diagnosed cases of HIV or HIV prevalence in IDU in 2011, increases were documented in six countries. Indicators of injecting risk and prevention coverage show a potential risk for increased HIV transmission and future outbreaks in several countries.
Just published: Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244/99): country overview 2010
This country overview provides a structured synopsis of the trends and characteristics of national drug problems in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244/99) in 2010. It consists of a summary of the national drug situation presenting brief information in key areas (drugs prevalence, prevention, harm reduction, drug laws etc.).
Registration opens for European summer school on illicit drugs
The Lisbon-based Instituto Superior das Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa (ISCTE) and the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) are currently collaborating on a summer school programme entitled: ‘Illicit drugs in Europe: supply, demand and public policies’. Registration opens today for the course which will take place in Lisbon from 2–13 July 2012.
Latest analysis highlights changing trends in illicit production of amphetamine in Europe
Increased capacity and sophistication in the illicit amphetamine market are among developments reviewed in the EMCDDA–Europol analysis Amphetamine: a European Union perspective in the global context. Published today, the report describes how patterns and trends are changing in the production and trafficking of this widely used synthetic stimulant and the chemicals used in its manufacture. It also looks at the people and organisations involved, and the scale of the problem in a global context.
Just published: Amphetamine: a European Union perspective in the global context
x
Just published: Responding to new psychoactive substances
As criminal laws should clearly define those substances under control, the discovery of a psychoactive substance outside legal control can allow suppliers to make a profit at unknown risk to the health of the consumers. These substances may then be identified by the authorities and added to the list of those controlled, and so the cycle begins again.
EMCDDA launches first European quality standards to improve drug prevention in the EU
‘Prevention’ is one of the first issues to be mentioned in the public debate on drugs, but evidence of what works in practice to prevent drug use is often overlooked. Today the EMCDDA launches the first European ‘how to’ guide on conducting high-quality drug prevention. Entitled European drug prevention quality standards: a manual for prevention professionals, it will be presented at an international conference hosted by the agency in Lisbon this week.
Just published: European drug prevention quality standards
This Manual is a joint production by the EMCDDA and the Prevention Standards Partnership, and presents and describes basic and expert level quality standards for drug prevention. The standards cover all aspects of drug prevention work, including needs and resource assessment, programme planning, intervention design, resource management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, dissemination, sustainability, stakeholder involvement, staff development, and ethics. Considerations regarding the standards’ real-life implementation are provided, acknowledging differences in professional culture, policy, and the structure of prevention delivery within Europe.
International experts to examine the influence of social and economic environments on substance use
Leading international experts in prevention research will meet in Lisbon from 8–9 December to examine the influence of social and economic environments on substance use. Over 100 participants from some 20 countries will gather at the 2nd International Conference of the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR), hosted by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA).
ECDC and EMCDDA to host joint scientific seminar at the European Parliament on the eve of World AIDS Day
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) will join forces in Brussels on the eve of World AIDS Day (30 November) to host a scientific seminar at the European Parliament. The seminar will bring prominent speakers to Brussels to discuss with MEPs ways to prevent and control infections among people who inject drugs and to address the risk and burden of HIV and AIDS-related infections, such as hepatitis B and C in EU countries.
EMCDDA and ESPAD to scale up cooperation through new joint actions
The EMCDDA and the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) pledged to scale up their cooperation today in a joint statement adopted at the 2011 ESPAD project meeting. The event, hosted by the EMCDDA in Lisbon (27–29 November), brings together participants from 39 European countries.
Just published: Khat use in Europe
Khat leaves are cultivated in the highlands of the Horn of Africa, Southern Arabia and along the East African coast. In many countries, chewing khat is an age-old tradition. More recently, the mass migration of people from the Horn of Africa has been associated with the spread of khat usage to neighbouring countries, Europe and the rest of the world. Exact numbers of regular khat users on a worldwide scale do not exist, however estimates range up to 20 million. This paper presents the challenges associated with the spread of khat consumption.
The EMCDDA calls for applications from graduate trainees
The EMCDDA is callsing for applications from graduate trainees. Closing date for applications: 15 January 2012. Place of employment: Lisbon, Portugal.
Drugs report: Commissioner Malmström calls for vigilance on synthetic drugs and asks more anti-trafficking efforts
The Annual report 2011, released today by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), shows drug use to be relatively stable in Europe, with some positive signs that cocaine use may have peaked and that cannabis use continues to decline among young people. But signs of stability in the use of the more established drugs are offset by the emergence of new threats. These include the increased availability of synthetic drugs, the rapid appearance of new substances and widespread 'polydrug' use (the use of more than one type of drug at one time). Also highlighted in the report are new concerns over the potential for HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs.
EU drugs agency releases new analysis of Europe’s changing opioid problem
Heroin use continues to account for the largest share of drug-related diseases and deaths in the EU. The EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) estimates that there are over 1.3 million regular opioid users in the EU and Norway. And around half (51 %) of the drug users entering specialised treatment in Europe report opioids as their main problem drug.
Policies and responses must be fit to face the challenges of the next decade, says drugs agency chief
The Annual report 2011: the state of the drugs problem in Europe is 'one of contrasts', says the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA). Launched today in Lisbon, the report shows drug use to be relatively stable in Europe, with some positive signs that cocaine use may have peaked and that cannabis use continues to decline among young people. But signs of stability with some of the more established drugs are offset by new threats. Explored in the report are developments in the synthetic drugs market, the rapid appearance of new substances and widespread polydrug use. Delivering the agency’s annual assessment, EMCDDA Director Wolfgang Götz said: 'Europe’s drug policies and responses must now be configured to face the challenges of the next decade'.
Just published: Trendspotter report
The first EMCDDA Trendspotter meeting, on Recent shocks in the European heroin market:
explanations and ramifications, took place in Lisbon on 18–19 October 2011. The purpose of
the meeting was to increase understanding of the 2010/2011 heroin shortage reported by
some European countries and to explore issues of drug replacement. Sixteen experts from 14
European countries presented their experiences of recent trends in heroin availability and use
and the replacement of heroin by other illicit drugs or medicines, providing insights from
different disciplinary perspectives.
explanations and ramifications, took place in Lisbon on 18–19 October 2011. The purpose of
the meeting was to increase understanding of the 2010/2011 heroin shortage reported by
some European countries and to explore issues of drug replacement. Sixteen experts from 14
European countries presented their experiences of recent trends in heroin availability and use
and the replacement of heroin by other illicit drugs or medicines, providing insights from
different disciplinary perspectives.
Just published: Online sales of new psychoactive substances/'legal highs'
The EMCDDA monitors unregulated psychoactive products — the so-called ‘legal highs’ — sold via the Internet and advertised with aggressive and sophisticated marketing strategies, and in some cases intentionally mislabelled with declared ingredients differing from the actual composition. The ‘legal highs’ market is distinguished by the speed at which suppliers circumvent drug controls by offering new alternatives. The EMCDDA has been monitoring the marketing of these new psychoactive substances since 2006 through multilingual Internet ‘snapshots’, which function as rapid assessments of the online availability of substances, undertaken during a limited time window. Changes in the methods used have increased the quality and coverage of these surveys, but mean that data for different snapshots may not be directly comparable. This paper presents findings from the two most recent snapshots, performed in January and July 2011.
Just published: Mortality
This Selected issue focuses on mortality among drug users due to all causes, of which drug-induced deaths (overdoses) is only a component, albeit the one most well-documented. The publication begins with an introduction to mortality cohort studies and then reviews the findings on overall mortality rates in Europe. The available sources of data are examined to explore the main causes of deaths among drug users and the latest information on risk and protective factors. The Selected issue finishes with a discussion of the public health implications of drug-related mortality and the options available for prevention and intervention.
A summary of the contents is available
.
Just published: Guidelines for the treatment of drug dependence
At least 1.1 million Europeans are estimated to have received treatment for drug dependence during 2009, mostly through opioid substitution, detoxification and psychosocial interventions, delivered in a variety of settings. While more than half of the clients received opioid substitution treatment, a substantial number received other forms of treatment for problems related to opioids, stimulants, cannabis and other illicit drugs. The quality of interventions is underpinned by treatment guidelines. This Selected issue focuses on the topic of improving treatment quality by the development of guidelines, and provides an overview of existing national guidelines for the treatment of drug dependence in Europe.
Just published: Drugnet Europe 76
Drugnet Europe, the EMCDDA's quarterly newsletter, provides regular information on the agency's activities to a broad readership.
In this issue: In this issue: Annual report 2011 highlights; EMCDDA scientific paper award; ‘Have your say’ in two online surveys; technical cooperation with the Eastern partnership countries; European summer school on illicit drugs; and a new EMCDDA manual on prevention.
Just published: Cost and financing of drug treatment services
This Selected issue provides an exploratory European overview of costs associated with treatment for drug dependence. The cost of drug treatment in Europe is looked at from two main angles in this report. First, an overview is presented of the main sources of funding for drug treatment and the financing mechanisms that are employed in a number of European countries. This is followed by a focused analysis of the unit costs of the four main drug treatment modalities (detoxification, psychosocial inpatient, psychosocial outpatient and opioid substitution treatment).
A summary of the contents is available
.
Just published: 2011 Annual report on the state of the drugs problem in Europe
The report on the state of the drugs problem in Europe presents the EMCDDA's yearly overview of the drug phenomenon. This is an essential reference book for policymakers, specialists and practitioners in the drugs field or indeed anyone seeking the latest findings on drugs in Europe. Published every autumn, the report contains non-confidential data supported by an extensive range of figures.
Just published:
EMCDDA celebrates scientific writing with new award
Five scientific papers judged to enhance understanding of the European drugs problem will be acclaimed on 14 November in Lisbon in a new award ceremony hosted by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) and its Scientific Committee.
The prize, to be awarded annually in Lisbon, celebrates scientific writing in this area of key concern to EU citizens. The inaugural event will be held in the margins of the EMCDDA Scientific Committee meeting. It takes place on the eve of the launch of the Annual report 2011: the state of the drugs problem in Europe.
New job vacancy: No CA.2011.03, Scientific assistant
Contract Agent (M/F) FGIII, five-year contract (renewable).
Closing date for applications: 03.12.2011 at 17h00.
Place of employment: Lisbon, Portugal.
Just published: Pilot study on wholesale drug prices in Europe
The European Union Drug Strategy for the period 2009–12 sets the goal to yield concrete and identifiable improvements concerning the knowledge of drugs trafficking. In addition, the EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009–12 defines among others the objectives to develop key-indicators of policy-relevant data on drug markets, as well as a strategy to collect them. This Pilot study on wholesale drug markets aims to contribute to this process, starting by discussing the utility of collecting wholesale drug prices in Europe. In order to assess the feasibility of this collection process, this study provides an overview of the procedures implemented nationally and of the information available in European countries on wholesale drug prices.
Just published: Prevention profiles 2011
What are countries in Europe doing to prevent illicit drug use? 'Prevention profiles' try to answer this question by providing information based on expert appraisal of the level of provision of different prevention measures in Europe.
Just published: National report 2009: Slovenia
Commissioned each year by the EMCDDA and produced by the national focal points of the Reitox network, the National reports draw an overall picture of the drug phenomenon at national level in each EU Member state. These data are key information to the EMCDDA and are an important resource, among others for the compilation of its 'Annual report'.
Just published: National report 2009: Luxembourg
Commissioned each year by the EMCDDA and produced by the national focal points of the Reitox network, the National reports draw an overall picture of the drug phenomenon at national level in each EU Member state. These data are key information to the EMCDDA and are an important resource, among others for the compilation of its 'Annual report'.
Just published: National report 2010: Austri
 
Just published: Prevention and control of infectious diseases among people who inject drugs
This joint guidance report explores good public health practices that can support effective policies to reduce infections. Common blood-borne viruses in this group include HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. These are mainly spread through the sharing of needles, syringes and drug preparation equipment or unprotected sexual contacts.
Seven ways to reduce infections among people who inject drugs
Seven interventions, one aim: no infections among people who inject drugs. In a new guidance document out today, EU agencies ECDC and the EMCDDA have joined forces to identify seven interventions to reduce and prevent infectious diseases in this vulnerable population. Many European countries have achieved substantial progress in recent years in preventing drug-related infections. Drug injecting, however, remains a major cause of infectious diseases across Europe.
Just published: Prevention and control of infectious diseases among people who inject drugs
This joint guidance report explores good public health practices that can support effective policies to reduce infections. Common blood-borne viruses in this group include HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. These are mainly spread through the sharing of needles, syringes and drug preparation equipment or unprotected sexual contacts.
15 November 2011, Lisbon — EU drugs agency to present the latest statistics, trends and analysis
The EMCDDA will present its annual assessment of Europe’s drugs problem in its Annual report 2011 to be released on 15 November in Lisbon. The report, the agency’s flagship publication, provides the latest data and commentary on the drug situation across the 27 EU Member States, Croatia, Turkey and Norway. Key challenges are discussed along with some of the promising practices used to address drug problems today.
Just published: Drugnet Europe 75
Drugnet Europe, the EMCDDA's quarterly newsletter, provides regular information on the Agency's activities to a broad readership.In this issue:
Just published: Statistical bulletin 2011
The Statistical bulletin is a key resource published yearly by the EMCDDA and provides access to the most recent statistical data relating to the drugs situation in Europe, including over 400 tables and graphs. It constitutes the epidemiological basis on which the EMCDDA's Annual report is written.
Survey results: youth attitudes to drugs
The European Commission released today the results of its fourth survey exploring  Youth attitudes on drugs. This ‘Flash Eurobarometer’ is based on telephone interviews conducted in May 2011 with over 12 000 randomly selected young people (aged 15–24) in all 27 EU Member States. It builds on three earlier Eurobarometer surveys carried out in 2002, 2004 and 2008.
Among the issues covered by the survey are: perceptions on the health risks of drug use; attitudes to banning or regulating substances; views on the availability of drugs; and opinions on the effectiveness of policies. For the first time, questions were included on new psychoactive substances (‘legal highs’).
Just published: Annual accounts 2010
In accordance with Article 76 of the Financial Regulation applicable to the EMCDDA, the accounts of the EMCDDA shall comprise: 'The financial statements of the EMCDDA and the reports on implementation of the budget of the EMCDDA. The accounts of the EMCDDA shall be accompanied by a report on budgetary and financial management during the year.'