On the initiative of the Finnish Presidency of the EU in 2006, a European network of multi-agency partnerships tackling drug problems at front-line level was established in 2007. Called EXASS Net, the network is managed by the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe.1

 

The fourth EXASS Network meting was held in Moscow in October 2008.  The two-day programme included visits to the clinic of the National Research Centre on Addictions, the Moscow Scientific Practical Centre of Narcology and the Moscow State Technical University, and a number of presentations on different aspects of the Russian Federation’s response to drug use and misuse. Representatives of the EXASS Net Steering Group made presentations on the activities of the Pompidou Group, the European Forum for Urban Safety and the Correlation network.

 

The fifth EXASS Net meeting took place in Budapest, Hungary, and looked at the issue of youth drug cultures, party drugs and club scenes. Future meetings are scheduled for Amsterdam and Oslo. These meetings will consider subjects including the role of drug users in developing responses, cannabis consumption and the role of outreach in response to drug problems.

 

1. More information about the EXASS Network and online reports of its meetings and other activities can be found at   http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/pompidou/activities/exassnet_EN.asp