92000E4109

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4109/00

by Ilka Schröder (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 January 2001)

Subject: Annual report of the EMCDDA pill testing

The annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction refers on page 9 to pill testing. The procedure is also known as drug checking. It is used in Austria, the Netherlands and Germany, for instance. The Centre says that the implementation of these preventive measures is becoming more professional.

How does the Commission view drug checking?

Does it share the Centre's assessment? What role should permissive drug prevention measures of this kind play in the Commission's preventive strategy?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2001)

First, it should be stressed that drug checking, also referred to as on-the-spot toxicological pill tests, falls within the competence of the Member States. The Commission is not involved in the implementation of such measures.

The Union Action Plan on Drugs (2000-2004)(1) encourages the Member States and the Commission to further develop innovative approaches to the prevention of the abuse of synthetic drugs, taking into account the specificity of synthetic drug users. Although not mentioned in the plan, on-the-spot toxicological pill tests may form a part of a preventive approach provided that it is allowed by the legislation of the Member States.

The Commission is aware of both positive and negative arguments as to whether on-the-spot toxicological pill tests contributes to reducing the risks and increasing responsible behaviour among users. It is essential that such testing occurs in combination with the provision of information and on-the-spot counselling in order to achieve a positive outcome, thereby addressing the risks involved with the use of drugs in general rather than drawing a distinction between safe and dangerous drugs.

Finally, on-the-spot toxicological pill tests can give a rapid indication of what substances and ingredients are present on the black market and are being used in particular settings. Such information is of value for epidemiological purposes and/or as the basis for specific warning measures.

Research is insufficient but the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction has commissioned a study on on-site pill-testing interventions in the Community. This research will draw up an inventory of existing on-site pill-testing programmes and examine their objectives, target groups, methods and pitfalls to assess how prevention and risk-reduction measures can be tied in with drug checking work. The results of the study are expected soon.

(1) COM(1999) 239 final.