International Drug Control Cooperation Policy of the European Community: A Personal View

• NCJ Number: 157997
• Journal: Bulletin on Narcotics Volume: 46 Issue: 2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 1-7
• Author(s): C van der Vaeren
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the Scientific Conference on Policies and Strategies to Combat Drugs, held at Florence, Italy, December 9- 11, 1993.

Annotation

The European Community's (EC's) program of international cooperation in countering drug abuse could be improved through an integrated approach.

Abstract

The international drug-control cooperation program was established in accordance with directives set by the Council of Ministers of the EC on January 26, 1987. In principle, the program's scope encompasses all aspects of the drug problem in the partner countries; however, the interdiction of illicit drug production and trafficking has not thus far been effectively addressed by the EC. The need for an integrated approach to drug control has been endorsed by the international community with the adoption of the Global Program of Action, which calls for balanced, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary strategies designed to combat all aspects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. EC resources for cooperation in drug control should focus on the prevention of drug abuse and a well-designed attack on trafficking. The related issues of drug treatment and crop substitution require general cooperation in the context of public-health and economic-development activities.