Action to combat drugs: action plan 2000-2004

PURPOSE: to report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Drugs. CONTENT: the EU Action Plan on Drugs (2000-2004) sets clear guidelines for the realisation of the EU drugs policy. They are: - to provide a guide to all actors in the EU for the setting of drugs policies; - to ensure that drugs receive high level recognition; - to provide a solid base for the implementation of EU wide drugs policies. This Commission Communication has been drawn up together with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addition (EMCDDA) and EUROPOL. Specifically, the Communication aims to: - propose a tool in the form of a Follow-up Table for the review of progress in the implementation of the Action Plan; - outline the method by which the Commission intends to ensure that the applicant countries deal effectively with the drugs problem; - suggest that the EU should examine ways in which to reinforce the exchange of information on projects in non-applicant countries. Annexed to the Communication is a Follow-up Table, which outlines and codifies work completed and work in progress on combatting drugs. In its conclusion, the Commission proposes that: - all actors involved in drugs policy within the Member States prepare and regularly update Follow-up tables similar to the one annexed to the Communication. It is hoped that prompt evaluation reports submitted by interested parties will allow for greater consistency. - the European Parliament and the Council to take note of and support its approach to drugs and the enlargement of the EU; - that all Member States keep the Commission updated on drugs policy relating to applicant countries; - increased inter-institutional coordination.�