European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction EMCDDA: drugs in the Union. Annual report 1997

The Committee unanimously adopted the report by Anne-Marie SCHAFFNER (UFE, F) on the 1997 annual report on the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The purpose of the EMCDDA is to provide the EU and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable information at European level concerning drugs and drug addiction and their consequences. The statistical, documentary and technical information processed or produced is intended to help give the EU and the Member States an overall view of the drug and drug addiction situation when, in their respective areas of competence, they take measures or decide on action. Against this background, the committee welcomes the evidence of progress set out in the EMCDDA's 1997 annual report by comparison with its 1995 annual report, and calls on it to make the improvements required to develop reliable and comparable methods, data systems and key indicators without delay. It also calls on the EMCDDA to step up its efforts to standardise the collection of key items of data in the area of reduction of health risks and reduction of the demand for drugs (e.g. drug-related deaths, infection rates, crimes committed by drug addicts). The committee also asks the EMCDDA to draw up and submit to Parliament and Council an assessment of differing national drugs policies. Lastly, the EMCDDA is requested to draw up definitions and common indicators with a view to conducting a cost-benefit assessment of the drugs policies and pilot projects carried out in the EU Member States, taking account of the health, socioeconomic and public order aspects. �