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To schedule interviews, obtain informed comment, request written contributions or receive the latest news on the agency, please contact our media relations unit:
Kathy Robertson
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Media relations and marketing
Tel: (351) 211 21 02 00/32
Fax: (351) 21 813 1711
Maria José Louro
Media relations assistant
Tel: (351) 211 21 02 00/40
Fax: (351) 21 813 1711
Archive of EMCDDA and drug-related news
15.12.2011 Latest analysis highlights changing trends in illicit production of amphetamine in Europe
Increased capacity and sophistication in the illicit amphetamine market are among developments reviewed in the EMCDDA–Europol analysis Amphetamine: a European Union perspective in the global context. Published today, the report describes how patterns and trends are changing in the production and trafficking of this widely used synthetic stimulant and the chemicals used in its manufacture. It also looks at the people and organisations involved, and the scale of the problem in a global context.
15.12.2011 Registration opens for European summer school on illicit drugs
The Lisbon-based Instituto Superior das Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa (ISCTE) and the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) are currently collaborating on a summer school programme entitled: ‘Illicit drugs in Europe: supply, demand and public policies’. Registration opens today for the course which will take place in Lisbon from 2–13 July 2012.
14.12.2011 EMCDDA briefing paper highlights need for range of tools to counter threat of emerging drugs
The speed at which new psychoactive substances can appear and be distributed now challenges the established procedure of passing legislation to control a substance in each country,’ according to a new publication released today by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA). ‘Responding to new psychoactive substances’ – the latest briefing in the series Drugs in focus – describes how policymakers are demanding ‘new, faster and effective ways of drug control’ that will protect public health and deter suppliers from circumventing controls.
09.12.2011 EMCDDA launches first European quality standards to improve drug prevention in the EU
‘Prevention’ is one of the first issues to be mentioned in the public debate on drugs, but evidence of what works in practice to prevent drug use is often overlooked. Today the EMCDDA launches the first European ‘how to’ guide on conducting high-quality drug prevention. Entitled European drug prevention quality standards: a manual for prevention professionals, it will be presented at an international conference hosted by the agency in Lisbon this week.
05.12.2011 International experts to examine the influence of social and economic environments on substance use
Leading international experts in prevention research will meet in Lisbon from 8–9 December to examine the influence of social and economic environments on substance use. Over 100 participants from some 20 countries will gather at the 2nd International Conference of the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR), hosted by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA).
29.11.2011 ECDC and EMCDDA to host joint scientific seminar at the European Parliament on the eve of World AIDS Day
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) will join forces in Brussels on the eve of World AIDS Day (30 November) to host a scientific seminar at the European Parliament. The seminar will bring prominent speakers to Brussels to discuss with MEPs ways to prevent and control infections among people who inject drugs and to address the risk and burden of HIV and AIDS-related infections, such as hepatitis B and C in EU countries.
28.11.2011 EMCDDA and ESPAD to scale up cooperation through new joint actions
The EMCDDA and the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) pledged to scale up their cooperation today in a joint statement adopted at the 2011 ESPAD project meeting. The event, hosted by the EMCDDA in Lisbon (27–29 November), brings together participants from 39 European countries.
15.11.2011 EU drugs agency releases new analysis of Europe’s changing opioid problem
Heroin use continues to account for the largest share of drug-related diseases and deaths in the EU. The EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) estimates that there are over 1.3 million regular opioid users in the EU and Norway. And around half (51 %) of the drug users entering specialised treatment in Europe report opioids as their main problem drug.
Latest data published today show levels of regular opioid use to be relatively stable in Europe.
15.11.2011 Policies and responses must be fit to face the challenges of the next decade, says drugs agency chief
The Annual report 2011: the state of the drugs problem in Europe is ‘one of contrasts’, says the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA). Launched today in Lisbon, the report shows drug use to be relatively stable in Europe, with some positive signs that cocaine use may have peaked and that cannabis use continues to decline among young people. But signs of stability with some of the more established drugs are offset by new threats. Explored in the report are developments in the synthetic drugs market, the rapid appearance of new substances and widespread polydrug use. Delivering the agency’s annual assessment, EMCDDA Director Wolfgang Götz said: ‘Europe’s drug policies and responses must now be configured to face the challenges of the next decade’.
15.11.2011 Drugs report: Commissioner Malmström calls for vigilance on synthetic drugs and asks more anti-trafficking efforts
The Annual report 2011, released today by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), shows drug use to be relatively stable in Europe, with some positive signs that cocaine use may have peaked and that cannabis use continues to decline among young people. But signs of stability in the use of the more established drugs are offset by the emergence of new threats. These include the increased availability of synthetic drugs, the rapid appearance of new substances and widespread 'polydrug' use (the use of more than one type of drug at one time). Also highlighted in the report are new concerns over the potential for HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs.
15.11.2011 Update — risk of HIV outbreaks among drug injectors in the EU
In July 2011, Greece — historically a low HIV-prevalence country — reported an outbreak of new HIV infections among drug injectors (170 cases at the time of writing). Recent increases in new infections have also been reported by Bulgaria, Estonia and Lithuania, indicating a continued potential for HIV outbreaks among injecting drug users in some countries. At a recent EMCDDA meeting (October 2011), national experts noted further HIV increases among drug users in Romania and potentially worrying changes in risk factors reported in Hungary.
11.11.2011 EMCDDA celebrates scientific writing with new award
Five scientific papers judged to enhance understanding of the European drugs problem will be acclaimed on 14 November in Lisbon in a new award ceremony hosted by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) and its Scientific Committee.
The prize, to be awarded annually in Lisbon, celebrates scientific writing in this area of key concern to EU citizens. The inaugural event will be held in the margins of the EMCDDA ScientificCommittee meeting. It takes place on the eve of the launch of the Annual report 2011: the state of the drugs problem in Europe.
12.10.2011 Seven ways to reduce infections among people who inject drugs
Seven interventions, one aim: no infections among people who inject drugs. In a new guidance document out today, EU agencies ECDC and the EMCDDA have joined forces to identify seven interventions to reduce and prevent infectious diseases in this vulnerable population. Many European countries have achieved substantial progress in recent years in preventing drug-related infections. Drug injecting, however, remains a major cause of infectious diseases across Europe.
10.10.2011 15 November 2011, Lisbon — EU drugs agency to present the latest statistics, trends and analysis
The EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) will present its annual assessment of Europe’s drugs problem in its Annual report 2011 to be released on 15 November in Lisbon. The report, the agency’s flagship publication, provides the latest data and commentary on the drug situation across the 27 EU Member States, Croatia, Turkey and Norway.
11.07.2011 Survey results: youth attitudes to drugs
The European Commission published on 11 July the results of its fourth survey exploring Youth attitudes on drugs. This ‘Flash Eurobarometer’ is based on telephone interviews conducted in May 2011 with over 12 000 randomly selected young people (aged 15–24) in all 27 EU Member States. It builds on three earlier Eurobarometer surveys carried out in 2002, 2004 and 2008.
04.07.2011 Khat use in Europe: update and policy implications
‘The number of khat users in Europe appears to be growing, yet the scale and nature of the problem is poorly understood’. This is according to a new publication on the subject released today by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA). ‘Khat use in Europe: implications for European policy’ is published in the EMCDDA’s policy briefing series Drugs in focus.
23.06.2011 Message from Wolfgang Götz, EMCDDA Director ahead of International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking (26 June)
Drug use in Europe still represents a major threat to public health and is responsible for between 7 000 and 8 000 fatal overdoses every year in the EU. Europe’s drugs problem is also changing, with more problems now associated with the use of stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, and new substances increasingly appearing on the European market.
13.05.2011 First international forum on new drugs: concluding remarks
Leading European and international experts on new drugs met in Lisbon from 11–12 May at the First international multidisciplinary forum on new drugs, organised by the EMCDDA. A report on the forum proceedings will be available in the coming weeks. Initial concluding remarks, delivered at the closing session on 12 May by EMCDDA Scientific Director Paul Griffiths, are available.
18.05.2011 EMCDDA Scientific Committee elects new leaders
The EMCDDA Scientific Committee, meeting in
11.05.2011 New drugs becoming available at ‘unprecedented pace’, says report
New psychoactive substances are becoming widely available at an ‘unprecedented pace’. This is according to the EMCDDA–Europol 2010 annual report on new drugs entering the European market released today in Lisbon. In 2010, a record number of new drugs were officially reported to the EMCDDA and Europol via the EU early-warning system (EWS) on new psychoactive substances.
06.05.2011 EMCDDA celebrates Europe day with partners in Lisbon
The EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) will be hosting an exhibition stand during upcoming Europe Day celebrations in Lisbon from 7–9 May. This year the focus of events will be on young people, in the context of the EU flagship campaign ‘Youth on the move’. The stand will be located in the Europe Day exhibition tent at Praça do Rossio, where staff members will be meeting the public and talking about their work.
05.05.2011 Leading experts to review global developments in new drugs and ‘legal highs’
Leading European and international experts on new drugs will meet in Lisbon from 11–12 May to take stock of what has now become a global phenomenon. The First international multidisciplinary forum on new drugs, organised by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA), will provide a comprehensive overview on new psychoactive substances and identify common anchor points to inform future actions.
07.03.2011 High-level Polish delegation visits EMCDDA
Under-Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Health, Adam Fronczak, heads a high-level delegation visiting the EMCDDA this week in the context of the upcoming Polish presidency of the EU. The purpose of the visit is to present the programme of the six-month mandate (July–December), review recent changes in Polish drug policy and explore future cooperation and information-exchange between the EMCDDA and Polish bodies working in the drugs field.
04.03.2011 EMCDDA to acknowledge excellence in scientific writing
Europe’s top scientific papers on drug-related topics will be acknowledged this year in a new award launched by EMCDDA. The prize giving, to take place annually in Lisbon, will celebrate excellence in scientific writing in this area of critical concern to EU citizens. The inaugural event will take place in the margins of the EMCDDA Scientific Committee meeting, being held in the Portuguese capital from 14–15 November. Articles eligible for nomination for the award will focus on illicit drugs, although findings on licit substances may also be included. The articles will have been published in 2010 in peer-reviewed scientific journals, with the primary author based in an EU Member State or Norway. Entries may be submitted in any of the 23 languages of the European Union or in Norwegian, along with an abstract in English.
24.01.2011 EU agencies at the European Parliament
From Helsinki to Crete and from Lisbon to Vilnius, specialised agencies have been established to provide services, information, know-how and advice to the European Union, its Member States and citizens. At an upcoming exhibition at the European Parliament, 29 EU agencies will come together to explain what they do, why they exist and how they impact on the lives of Europe’s 500 million citizens.
Newsletters (Drugnet) published in 2011
- Drugnet Europe 76 (October-December 2011):
PDF format | online version - Drugnet Europe 75 (July-September 2011):
PDF format | online version - Drugnet Europe 74 (April-June 2011):
PDF format | online version - Drugnet Europe 73 (January-March 2011):
PDF format | online version
Page last updated: Tuesday, 24 January 2012