Upcoming ISCTE-IUL–EMCDDA summer school: 24 June–5 July 2019 18.12.2018  The University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL) and the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) will be joining forces once again next summer to hold the eighth European drugs summer school (EDSS) on ‘Illicit drugs in Europe: demand, supply and public policies’ (1). Registration is now open for the two-week course, which will take place in the Portuguese capital from 24 June to 5 July (2). The initiative is also supported by the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)(3).

EU drugs agency Management Board elections 14.12.2018  The EMCDDA Management Board, meeting in Lisbon this week, held elections today for the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board.

This month, the EMCDDA approaches the end of its presidency of the EU Agencies’ Network on Scientific Advice (EU-ANSA) and looks back on a productive year (1). 12.12.2018 

Europe’s ability to rapidly respond to public health and social threats caused by new psychoactive substances (NPS/‘new drugs’) has been significantly strengthened thanks to new legislation applying from 23 November (1). The legislation strengthens the EU Early Warning System (EU EWS) and risk assessment procedures on NPS and shortens control processes. 06.12.2018 

Drug policy: medical use of cannabis in Europe 04.12.2018  What is the evidence base for the medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids? What is the difference between cannabis preparations and medicinal products and why is this important? How is this issue regulated in the EU? These and other questions are explored in a new report published today by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA): Medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids: questions and answers for policymaking.