EU unveils new drugs action plan
Cocaine use on the rise
As Brussels yesterday unveiled a new four-year drugs action plan aimed at ensuring more cooperation in this sector, statistics show that cocaine use is on the rise across the European continent.
According to the Commission, the total number of people in the EU who use drugs - or have at some time taken them - is estimated at 70 million who consume cannabis, at least 12 million who take cocaine, 9.5 million abuse of ecstasy and 11 million are on amphetamines. At least half a million people are known to be receiving substitution treatment for heroin.
Over two million people are considered "problem drug users" in the EU meaning that they need daily treatment.
In Malta, the number of "problem drug users" is estimated at 1,600.
The Commission calculates that 7,500 people die of an overdose every year.
The action plan, unveiled by European Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot, will be implemented between 2009 and 2012 and builds on the existing approach of the EU drugs strategy based on a balanced approach to reduce both supply and demand for drugs.
The five main priorities of the new action plan include reducing the demand for drugs and raising public awareness, mobilising European citizens, reducing the supply, improving international cooperation and facilitating better understanding of the drug phenomenon.
The Commission is proposing various measures including the improvement of the quality, availability and coverage of treatment, harm-reduction programmes for drug users and the establishment of intelligence-led police and Customs operations to counter large-scale organised crime groups both in the EU and on the drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan to Latin America.
The new plan also suggests the setting up of a European Alliance on Drugs, bringing together government bodies, public services and voluntary organisations to work in partnership.
According to Mr Barrot the alliance will mobilise European citizens to play an active part in the fight against drugs by informing and disseminating widely the successful initiatives achieved so far.
The EU has been implementing an action plan on drugs since 2005.
The Commission noted a number of achievements including a drop in the number of drug-related deaths and in the spread of HIV through drug injection.