A global strategy” “

The EU Council of Ministers adopted an “Action Plan of the European Union on the fight against drugs (2005-2008)” on 17 June. This is the first measure of the “EU anti-drugs strategy (2005-2012)” – approved last December – that defines the framework and objectives within the four following priorities: reduction of demand; reduction of supply; international cooperation; research, information and evaluation. 100 ACTIONS FOR 4 YEARS. The Action Plan for the period 2005-2008 is “a point of reference for all interested parties”: public and private structures, health workers, communities, educational agencies. “The Plan comprises over 100 actions. It allocates responsibilities for them and programmes their implementation”: the Commission is entrusted with the task of monitoring the implementation of the Plan, which will also be run in close liaison with the European Watchdog on drugs and Europol. A series of actions is defined for each objective. In particular, in the attempt to curb the international trafficking of drugs, the Plan provides for the “systematic integration of drugs policy in relations and accords with the third countries involved”; moreover, to contribute to the problem of drug addict detainees and the overcrowding of prisons, the Union calls on the competent national Authorities to “develop further alternatives to detention for drug addicts and specialized drug-therapy services for detainees”. Specific actions are also planned in terms of international coordination and aid to the countries affected by the phenomenon; prevention (also in schools and with the use of the internet); the improvement of services of treatment and rehabilitation; the fight against synthetic drugs; the crackdown on the recycling of illicit proceeds, the link between drug trafficking and international terrorism, and the confiscation of the assets of drug traffickers; scientific research; and the reinforcement of the measures currently in force to prevent the diffusion of diseases transmitted by intravenal injection. A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH. “The Union has chosen the most effective way to combat the phenomenon of drugs: a global and multidisciplinary approach that tackles the question from every angle: reduction of demand, fight against illegal trafficking and action at the international level”, comments Franco Frattini, vice-president of the Commission in Brussels and EU Commissioner for justice, liberty and security, in commending the “Action Plan” adopted by the European Council on the basis of a long preparatory work lasting many months. “The balance between protection of health and measures to curb drug addiction struck in the Action Plan shows – according to Frattini – that we can safeguard fundamental rights and at the same time reinforce the security of citizens”. According to the data of the EU drugs dossier, the phenomenon remains very widespread in all the countries of the Union, albeit with differentiated situations from country to country. “There are 2 million drug users at risk in the Union. Consumption, especially among the young, is at unprecedently high levels”. The incidence of HIV and AIDS among drug addicts is also on the increase. Caritas Europe, forum on migration and development “Improving knowledge of the relations between migration and development”: that’s the aim of the 4th Forum of Migration promoted by Caritas Europe, which will be held at Bad Honnef, in Germany, from 30 June to 2 July, with delegates from over 30 European countries. The theme this year, “Migrants as active citizens and agents of change – Linking the internal and external dimension of migration and development”, is aimed at analysing the link between the two aspects. “We would like to promote the coordination between the various projects of Caritas in both fields – explains Martina Liebsch, chairperson of the Migration Commission of Caritas Europe – and analyse the impact of development projects on migration and vice versa”. Seven work groups will evaluate the risks and opportunities for migrants and refugees in their home and host societies, in the attempt to respond to the questions: “Can development become a means to prevent forced migrations?”; and “Are those who return home agents of change or a social challenge?”. During the meeting, the delegates will exchange information, experiences and good practices on such issues as clandestine immigration, the traffic in human beings and economic migrants. With this Forum, concludes Caritas Europe, “we hope to achieve the final objective of ensuring dignified treatment to immigrants and refugees in Europe and in the world”. Caritas Europe, based in Brussels, was set up in 1971 and represents 48 national Caritas agencies active in 44 European countries.