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Pike, Brigid (2007) EU to fund drug prevention and information initiatives. Drugnet Ireland, Issue 24, Winter 2007, p. 19.

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In September 2007 the European Union established a Drug Prevention and Information programme for the period 2007–2013, with a budget of €21.35 million spread over seven years.1 The European Commission plans to issue the first call for proposals for action grants in December 2007, and the work programme for 2008, with a budget of €3 million, will be announced in January. Further details, including eligibility criteria, can be found in the OJEU.2

The Drug Prevention and Information programme builds on the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan, the ultimate aim of which is to significantly reduce the social harm and health damage caused by the use of, and trade in, illicit drugs. The general objectives of the programme are: 

·     to prevent and reduce drug use, dependence and drug-related harms;

·     to contribute to the improvement of information on the effects of drug use;

·     to support the implementation of the EU Drugs Strategy. 

The Programme supports projects and activities associated with three specific objectives:

1)      to promote transnational actions to:

o  set up multidisciplinary networks that can make a clear and specific contribution to achieving the objectives of this programme;

o  ensure the expansion of the knowledge base, the exchange of information and the identification and dissemination of good practice, e.g. through training, study visits and staff exchanges;

o  raise awareness of the social and health problems caused by drug use and to encourage an open dialogue with a view to promoting a better understanding of the drug phenomenon; and

o  support measures aimed at preventing drug use, reducing drug-related harm, and treatment, taking into account the latest state of scientific knowledge; 

2)      to involve civil society in the implementation and development of the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plans; and

3)      to monitor, implement and evaluate the implementation of specific actions under the Action Plans 2005–2008 and 2009–2012. 

The target groups of the programme's activities are all those who may be affected by the consequences of drug use, including young people, pregnant women, vulnerable groups and problematic neighbourhoods. Other target groups are: teachers and educational staff, parents, social workers, local and national authorities, medical and paramedical staff, judicial staff, law enforcement and penitentiary authorities, NGOs, trade unions and religious communities. These groups are also potential beneficiaries of the programme. 

The Drug Prevention and Information programme is just one of five instruments contained in the framework programme ‘Fundamental Rights and Justice’, which aims to promote the development of a European society based on EU citizenship and which is respectful of fundamental rights. In turn, this framework programme, together with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan, forms part of the Hague Programme, which sets out the EU’s overall objectives in the area of freedom, security and justice in the period 2005–2010.   

1. Decision No 1150/2007/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, 25 September 2007.

2. Official Journal of the European Union, 3 October 2007, L 257/23–29.

Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, International, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
Substances (not alcohol/tobacco)
Intervention Type
Prevention
Issue Title
Issue 24, Winter 2007
Date
October 2007
Page Range
p. 19
Publisher
Health Research Board
Volume
Issue 24, Winter 2007
EndNote
Accession Number
HRB (Available)

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