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<![endif]-->In August 2005, after examining the available information collected on mCPP (1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine), the EMCDDA and Europol decided to launch a procedure for the production of a Joint report. The report concluded that mCPP seemed unlikely to establish itself as a recreational drug in its own right and recommended that, in view of the fact that the substance was used in the manufacture of at least one medicinal product, no risk assessment should be carried out. Following the recommendations of the report, in 2006 the Commission requested an active monitoring <!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><!--[endif]-->&#160;of the substance.<!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportAnnotations]--> <!--[endif]--><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><!--[endif]-->

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<![endif]-->In December 2006, after examining the available information collected on BZP (1-benzylpiperazine), the EMCDDA and Europol decided to launch a procedure for the production of a Joint report. Pursuant to the findings of this report, the Council of the EU formally requested a risk assessment <!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><!--[endif]-->&#160;of the substance, which was submitted to control measures and criminal penalties throughout the European Union in March 2008.<!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><!--[endif]-->

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<![endif]-->In January 2010, increased evidence of the availability and use of mephedrone (4- methylmethcathinone) prompted the EMCDDA and Europol to launch a procedure for the production of a Joint Report. Pursuant to the findings of this report, the Council of the EU formally requested a risk assessment <!--[if !supportAnnotations]-->of the substance, which was submitted to control measures and criminal penalties throughout the European Union in December 2010.<!--[if !supportAnnotations]-->

&#160;

New prize for Europe's top scientific papers on drugs

Europe&#8217;s top scientific papers on drug-related topics will be acknowledged this year in a new award launched by the EMCDDA. The prize giving, to take place annually in Lisbon, will celebrate excellence in scientific writing in this area of critical concern to EU citizens. The inaugural event will take place in the margins of the EMCDDA Scientific Committee meeting, being held in the Portuguese capital from 14&#8211;15 November. Articles eligible for nomination for the award will focus on illicit drugs, although findings on licit substances may also be included. The articles will have been published in 2010 in peer-reviewed scientific journals, with the primary author based in an EU Member State or Norway. Entries may be submitted in any of the 23 languages of the European Union or in Norwegian, along with an abstract in English.

Drugnet Europe, the EMCDDA's quarterly newsletter, providesregular information on the Agency's activities to a broad readership.

In this issue: mephedrone ban across the EU; Poland passes new law to control &#8216;head shops&#8217; and &#8216;legal highs&#8217;; a new European Society for Prevention Research; 2011 EMCDDA work programme; a new prize for top scientific papers; new EMCDDA products and services.

The EMCDDA receives stable funding under Commission budget line B3-441 of the general budget of the European Union. Each year, a preliminary draft budget is presented by the Centre's Director to the Management Board, which may modify the draft before adopting it and submitting it to the European Commission. The Commission, in turn, makes its recommendations (which may again alter the draft) and presents the result to the European Council and Parliament.

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<![endif]-->The 2011 work programme takes forward activities begun in 2010 to implement the EMCDDA&#8217;s three-year strategy (2010&#8211;12). Key themes of this strategy are the consolidation of core data, investment in more complex and policy-relevant analysis, and the development of a small number of new areas of strategic importance. Progress was made in all these areas in 2010, and this document details the next steps to be taken.

24.01.2011 EU agencies at the European Parliament

From Helsinki to Crete and from Lisbon to Vilnius, specialised agencies have been established to provide services, information, know-how and advice to the European Union, its Member States and citizens. At an upcoming exhibition at the European Parliament , 29 EU agencies will come together to explain what they do, why they exist and how they impact on the lives of Europe&#8217;s 500 million citizens.

Read more in the media annoucement >>

The main goal of the First European conference on drug supply indicators was to launch the work needed to establish a set of technically sound and sustainable indicators for monitoring drug markets, crime and supply reduction for Europe. The event brought together for the first time a wide range of European and international experts to assess the current state of the art in this domain and develop a realistic strategy for moving forward in an area of importance for European drug policies. The conference was a joint venture between the European Commission (EC) and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) with the active involvement of Europol.

The key conclusions from the event are presented in this document.

'Drug problems have no age limits' -- This special review published alongside the 2010 Annual report, reveals why drug use is no longer simply a &#8216;youth phenomenon&#8217;.Europe is experiencing a pronounced ageing of its population, around a quarter of which will be aged 65 or over by 2050. Statistics published today show that Europe&#8217;s drug-using population is also ageing and that meeting the needs of older drug users is a growing issue for treatment services. This is particularly the case in western countries which saw the EU&#8217;s first heroin epidemics in the 1980s and 1990s.

Focusing on European countries where amphetamine or methamphetamine is an important part of the drug problem, this Selected issue looks at the current situation in the light of the historical development of amphetamines use since the introduction of these substances as medicines in the 1930s. The history of amphetamines use is the result of an interplay of global forces, such as the spread of recreational drug use in the 1960s and the arrival of heroin on the European drug scene in the 1970s, and local events such as the rise of small-scale pervitin (methamphetamine) production in what was then Czechoslovakia. The outcome of this is that, in the present day, problem amphetamines use across Europe is marked by strong national characteristics, possibly more so than any other of the major illicit drugs.

A multilingual summary of the contents is available >>

Drugnet Europe, the EMCDDA's quarterly newsletter, providesregular information on the Agency's activities to a broad readership.

Inthis issue: EMCDDA releases Annual report 2010; Old realities, new threats and economic austerity; domestic cannabis cultivation widespread; amphetamines: a major problem in parts of Europe; Heroin problems &#8212; no sign of decline; Older drug users: a growing issue for Europe&#8217;s treatment services; EMCDDA and CICAD sign three-year work programme; new products and services.

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.

Drugnet Europe, the EMCDDA's quarterly newsletter, provides regular information on the Agency's activities to a broad readership.In this issue: 2010 work programme and budget; EMCDDA and Europol step up information collection on mephedrone; upcoming Guidelines for collecting data on retail drug prices in Europe; European drug prevention quality standards; EMCDDA signs accord with Ukrainian Ministry of Health; new Czech penal code enters into force; EMCDDA Management Board &#8211; changes at the helm; new products and services.

Drugnet Europe, the EMCDDA's quarterly newsletter, provides regular information on the Agency's activities to a broad readership.

In this issue: record number of new drugs in 2009; EMCDDA and ECDC assess anthrax outbreak among heroin users; global audit of HIV services for IDUs reveals low levels of provision; sharing information on drug treatment demand in the Mediterranean; drug use and pregnancy &#8212; challenges for public health; latest analysis of cocaine market highlights 'secondary extraction' laboratories in Europe; new products and services.

Drugnet Europe, the EMCDDA's quarterly newsletter, providesregular information on the Agency's activities to a broad readership.

In this issue: injecting drug use stable or declining; early-warning system annual meeting; EU scientific experts to assess risks of mephedrone; harm reduction moves to the mainstream; EMCDDA and EMA step up cooperation; European technical conference on drug supply indicators coming up; EMCDDA-CICAD cooperation; new products and services.

2010 Annual report launch

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.

Commissioned each year by the EMCCDA 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 EMCCDA and are an important resource, among others for the compilation of its 'Annual report'.

What are countries in Europe doing to prevent illicit drug use? The Prevention profiles section of the website tries to answer this question by providing information on the level of provision of different prevention measures in EU Member States, Croatia, Turkey and Norway.

Infectious diseases are among the most serious health consequences of injecting drug use and can lead to significant healthcare costs. Injecting drug users are vulnerable to a range of infectious and communicable diseases through a variety of risk behaviours, and because of underlying conditions such as poor hygiene, homelessness and poverty. There is a recognised need for guidance on providing IDUs with a medical examination and testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and several other infections on a regular basis. In addition, improving testing uptake in this group would benefit epidemiological surveillance and monitoring as carried out at the national and international level. These guidelines are accompanied by a recommended package of prevention and primary care in relation to injecting drug users and infections. Treatment and other specialist care are not discussed in detail but are dealt with by indicating referral to appropriate services.

First European conference on drug supply indicators, Brussels 20-22 October

Drug trafficking remains one of the most productive trades for organised criminal groups in the EU today. And understanding how the illicit drug market works is a high priority of the ongoing European strategy and action plan on drugs. Read more >>

National drugs observatories have flourished and developed rapidly over the last two decades as a direct consequence of the decisions taken to establish regional drug monitoring systems, both in the European Union and in the Americas.&#160; Initially, there was no reference framework available &#8212; observatories were set-up using trial and error, taking into account different national contexts and resources. This explains why today there are as many models of observatories as there are countries establishing them.

Looking back at this long process, there seemed to be a need to formalise the experiences in the field, and to identify some key concepts and principles that remain valid irrespective of country or region. This handbook, a joint production by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States (CICAD&#8211;OAS), presents and describes in a clear and informative way the core operational processes and the key strategic factors that are common to all national drugs observatories.

The handbook is currently available in English, Spanish and French. Croatian, Turkish, Arabic and Russian editions are planned for 2011.

Respect for fundamental rights, protection of public health, well-being, social cohesion and security are the objectives that guide the actions taken by the European Union in the field of illicit drugs. The EU drugs strategy 2005&#8211;12 provides the framework for enhanced coordination between action taken at national, EU and international level and commits the members of the EU to tackle illicit drugs by striking a balance between reducing supply and demand.

This joint publication between the EMCDDA and the European Commission brings together some of the key frequently asked questions on the EU&#8217;s drugs policy and how it functions. Further details can be found via the websites and other links provided at the end of each answer. The brochure exists in English and French language versions.

Infectious diseases are among the most serious health consequences of injecting drug use and can lead to significant healthcare costs. Injecting drug users are vulnerable to a range of infectious and communicable diseases through a variety of risk behaviours, and because of underlying conditions such as poor hygiene, homelessness and poverty. There is a recognised need for guidance on providing IDUs with a medical examination and testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and several other infections on a regular basis. In addition, improving testing uptake in this group would benefit epidemiological surveillance and monitoring as carried out at the national and international level. These guidelines are accompanied by a recommended package of prevention and primary care in relation to injecting drug users and infections. Treatment and other specialist care are not discussed in detail but are dealt with by indicating referral to appropriate services.

This Risk Assessment Report presents the summary findings and the conclusions of the risk assessment carried out by the EMCDDA&#8217;s extended Scientific Committee of the new psychoactive substance 4-methylmethcathinone (hereinafter &#8216;mephedrone&#8217;).

The General report of activities is an annual publication providing a detailed progress report of the EMCDDA's activities over a 12-month period. Published every spring, it catalogues the Centre's achievements in each area of its annual work programme. The report is a useful information source for all those seeking comprehensive information on the Centre and its work.

A number of decentralised agencies have been set up by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to carry out specific legal, technical or scientific tasks within the European Union system. The majority work independently alongside the main EU institutions, adding value by helping to implement policy and promote the sharing of information and expertise in areas that impact on the lives of Europe&#8217;s 500 million citizens.

This brochure gives an overview of the missions of the EU agencies and describes our common objectives to strengthen the service we deliver to the EU institutions and ultimately to all EU citizens.

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.

Drugnet Europe, the EMCDDA's quarterly newsletter, providesregular information on the Agency's activities to a broad readership.

In this issue: injecting drug use stable or declining; early-warning system annual meeting; EU scientific experts to assess risks of mephedrone; harm reduction moves to the mainstream; EMCDDA and EMA step up cooperation; European technical conference on drug supply indicators coming up; EMCDDA-CICAD cooperation; new products and services.

Commissioned each year by the EMCCDA 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 EMCCDA and are an important resource, among others for the compilation of its 'Annual report'.

Trends in injecting drug use in Europe is the title of the latest EMCDDA Selected issue publication. This volume brings together data from a wide variety of sources as it describes Europe&#8217;s current drug injecting problem and plots its trends in recent years.Responses to drug injecting and measures to reduce the harm caused by this form of drug use are also reviewed. The report finds that the available data point to a stable or declining trend of injecting in most European countries, with effective treatment and harm-reduction measures now reaching many users. Despite this, there is still a large population of drug injectors in Europe, and there continue to be signs of recent recruitment in some countries.

A multilingual summary of the contents is available >>

The General report of activities is an annual publication providing a detailed progress report of the EMCDDA&#8217;s activities over a 12-month period. It catalogues the Centre&#8217;s achievements in each area of its annual work programme. The report is a useful information source for all those seeking comprehensive information on the Centre and its work.

This manual compiles basic but evidence-based prevention principles, planning rules and evaluation tips. Additionally, it provides related documentation or references for download; it is hoped that this additional material will be particularly useful for readers who have difficulty accessing the scientific prevention literature. To illustrate the theoretical discussion, an intervention example, partly based on a real-life situation, gives a practical perspective.

Prices are an essential element of the illicit drug market, from both a supply and demand perspective. They are an indicator of drug availability and are an important tool for understanding the workings of drug supply mechanisms. They may also be used to help target law enforcement resources and assist criminal justice agencies with decisions related to prosecution and sentencing (e.g. assets recovery).

The EMCDDA has been collecting information on retail drug prices via its Reitox focal points for the last 15 years. Although considerable progress has been made in this area, there is still variation in data collection in Europe. To address this issue, the EMCDDA has released these Guidelines for collecting data on retail drug prices in Europe: issues and challenges in its Manuals series.

The Manual raises awareness on specific issues related to collecting data on retail drug prices and offers practical suggestions. It addresses difficulties in obtaining a definition of 'retail' prices, and discusses the challenge of obtaining a representative sample of illicit, and therefore hidden, transactions. Suggestions are made for a minimum set of variables to be recorded for each observation. Targeted at all those involved in data collection on drug prices in Europe, the Manual reviews the main data-collection methods, current national practices and data-management issues.