EMCDDA news

On 16 December, the EMCDDA held the first ‘Technical expert meeting on hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and related semi-synthetic cannabinoids (SSCs)’ as part of its ongoing work to support EU and national preparedness and response to emerging NPS risks. Hexahydrocannabinol is the first semi-synthetic cannabinoid reported in the EU and has been monitored as a NPS by the EU Early Warning System since 21 October 2022. 19.12.2022 

This month, the Czech six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU draws to a close. With the motto ‘Rebuild, Rethink, Repower’, the Presidency focused on five key priorities: managing the refugee crisis and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine; energy security; strengthening European defence capabilities and cybersecurity; strategic resilience of the European economy; and the resilience of democratic institutions. 19.12.2022 

Four long-standing members of the EMCDDA Management Board received awards this week in recognition of their extraordinary dedication and service to the agency. The recipients were:  Mr Franz Pietsch — Chairman of the Management Board since 1 January 2022. Mr Pietsch has been Austrian member of the Board since 2002. He is currently Deputy Director-General and Head of the Human Medicines Law Division at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. 16.12.2022 

Today, the EMCDDA and the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe agreed on new areas of cooperation in the framework of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in 2010. 14.12.2022 

Belgian Minister of the Interior, Institutional Reform and Democratic Renewal, Ms Annelies Verlinden, visited the EMCDDA this week during an official visit to Portugal. The Minister met EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel who presented the work of the agency and its upcoming change of mandate. The focus of the visit was on public safety and security. 13.12.2022 

This week, the EMCDDA participated in a meeting ‘Early warning systems in response to opioids and new psychoactive substances’, organised by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organisation of American States (OIS) and the Canadian authorities (1). The agency participated remotely in the event, which was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (7–8 December). 09.12.2022 

Responding to drug problems in families and among those experiencing homelessness is the focus of two new EMCDDA miniguides released today. The resources are the first of five volumes dedicated to people with vulnerability and form part of the agency’s Health and social responses to drug problems: a European guide. 08.12.2022  HEALTH AND SOCIAL RESPONSES TO DRUG PROBLEMS: A EUROPEAN GUIDE

The Georgian version of the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) handbook, adapted to the national context, will be launched at two events in Tbilisi on 8 and 9 December. 07.12.2022 

Today, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) adopted a report creating the European Union Drugs Agency and endowing it with new competences. 01.12.2022  MEPs give green light to a more powerful agency