60th meeting of the Heads of National Focal Points

The Heads of the Reitox focal points (NFPs) gather in Lisbon from 21–23 May, celebrating the 60th meeting of the network. Among the issues to be covered at the event are: the results of the recent external evaluation of the EMCDDA; progress in implementing the Reitox Development Framework Roadmap (setting the strategic options for the network until 2020); a formal NFP accreditation process; an assessment of data reported in 2018 and discussions on reporting tools for 2020. Also to be covered are the upcoming launches of the European Drug Report 2019 and Country Drug Reports 2019 (6 June) and updates on EMCDDA activities in the areas of health, public safety and security and communication.

The Reitox network was set up in 1993 and is composed of 30 NFPs in the 28 EU Member States, Turkey and Norway, as well as a focal point at the European Commission. The NFPs — from which the agency draws the bulk of its data — collect and analyse national information on drugs, drawing on various sectors including health, justice and law enforcement. They form the backbone of the agency’s work.