1.

Prevent drug use and, secondly, delay the onset of drug use

1.

Improve the availability and effectiveness of prevention measures that take account of:

—

Overarching indicators 1, 12

—

Level of provision at MS level of evidence-based universal and environmental prevention measures

—

Level of provision at MS level of targeted prevention measures, including family- and community-based measures

—

Level of provision at MS level of indicated prevention measures

2.

In addition to the prevention of drug use, strengthen and better target prevention and diversionary measures to delay the age of first use of illicit drugs

—

Overarching indicators 1, 5, 12

—

Level of provision at MS level of evidence-based prevention and diversionary measures that target young people in family, community, and formal/non-formal education settings

3.

Raise awareness of the risks and consequences associated with the use of illicit drugs and other psychoactive substances

—

Overarching indicators 5, 12

—

Level of awareness in general and youth populations of healthy lifestyles and of the risks and consequences of the use of illicit drugs and other psychoactive substances

4.

Enable a more informed response to the challenge of the misuse of prescribed and ‘over the counter’ opioids and other psychoactive medicines

—

Collation of data by MS on levels and patterns of prescribing of psychoactive medicines by end-2014

—

Number of initiatives that focus on the promotion of appropriate use of prescribed and ‘over the counter’ opioids and other psychoactive medicines

2.

Enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment and rehabilitation, including services for people with co-morbidity, to reduce the use of illicit drugs; problem drug use; the incidence of drug dependency and drug-related health and social risks and harms and to support the recovery and social re/integration of problematic and dependent drug users

5.

Develop and expand the diversity, availability, coverage and accessibility of comprehensive and integrated treatment services including those which address polydrug use (combined use of illicit and/or licit substances including alcohol)

—

Overarching indicators 1, 6, 11

—

Extent of the diversity of comprehensive and integrated treatment services at MS level including those which address polydrug use

—

MS data on treatment retention and outcomes

6.

Expand the provision of rehabilitation/recovery services with an emphasis on services that:

—

Overarching indicator 11

—

Extent of increase in rehabilitation/recovery services adopting case management and inter-agency approaches

—

Extent of increase in the number of programmes, specifically targeted at drug users with co-morbidity, involving partnerships between both mental health and drug rehabilitation/recovery services

—

Level and duration of abstentions from consumption of illicit and/or licit drugs by people leaving drug treatment

—

Availability of treatment options to meet needs of people who experience relapses to drug use

7.

Ensure that treatment and outreach services incorporate greater access to risk and harm reduction options to lessen the negative consequences of drug use and to substantially reduce the number of direct and indirect drug-related deaths and infectious blood-borne diseases associated with drug use but not limited to HIV and viral hepatitis, as well as sexually transmittable diseases and tuberculosis

—

Overarching indicators 2, 3, 4, 11

—

Extent of increased availability of and access to evidence-based risk and harm reduction measures in MS

8.

Scale up the development, availability and coverage of health care measures for drug users in prison and after release with the aim of achieving a quality of care equivalent to that provided in the community

—

Overarching indicator 10

—

Availability of services for drug users in prisons and the extent to which prison health care policies and practices incorporate care models comprising best practices in needs assessment and continuity of care for prisoners during imprisonment

—

Extent of decrease in drug-related physical and mental health problems amongst prisoners

—

Extent to which prison-based services and community-based services provide continuity of care for prisoners upon release with particular emphasis on avoiding drug overdoses

3.

Embed coordinated, best practice and quality approaches in drug demand reduction

9.

Agree and commence the implementation of EU minimum quality standards, that help bridge the gap between science and practice, for:

—

Consensus achieved by MS on minimum quality standards building on previous EU preparatory studies

4.

Enhance effective law enforcement coordination and cooperation within the EU to counter illicit drug activity, in coherence, as appropriate, with relevant actions determined through the EU policy cycle

10.

Utilise to best effect available intelligence and information-sharing law enforcement instruments, channels and communication tools used to collate and analyse drug-related information

—

Overarching indicator 7

—

Extent of high impact intelligence led and targeted activities, of joint operations, joint investigation teams and cross-border cooperation initiatives focusing on criminal organisations engaged in illicit drug activity

—

Increased use of Europol’s drug-related information sharing, analysis and expert systems

—

Results achieved from EMPACT projects and bilateral and multilateral initiatives

11.

Identify and prioritise the most pressing threats associated with drug-related organised crime

—

EU policy cycle and crime priorities for 2014-2017 in place

12.

Strengthen CEPOL’s training for law enforcement officers in relation to illicit drug production and trafficking, particularly training methods and techniques:

—

Training needs assessment carried out by end-2014

—

Availability and uptake of relevant training courses

—

Number of law enforcement officers trained and effectively deployed as a result

13.

Improve counter narcotic activities through strengthening and monitoring the effectiveness of regional information-sharing platforms and regional security-sharing platforms with the aim of disrupting and suppressing emerging threats from changing drug trafficking routes

—

Overarching indicator 7

—

Number of intelligence led activities leading to the disruption and suppression of drug trafficking routes

—

Level of information sharing through effective activity of the liaison officer network

14.

Strengthen actions to prevent the diversion of drug precursors and pre-precursors for use in the illicit manufacture of drugs

—

Number of cases and quantity of stopped or seized shipments of precursors intended for illicit use

—

Results achieved from EMPACT projects

—

Use of Pre-Export Notification (PEN) Online System and increased use of the Precursors Incident Communication System (PICS)

—

Number of joint follow-up meetings and other activities linked to the prevention of the diversion of precursors and pre-precursors

15.

Counter cross-border drug trafficking and improve border security notably at EU seaports, airports and land border crossing points through intensified efforts, including information and intelligence sharing, by relevant law enforcement agencies

—

Increased number of multi-disciplinary/multi-agency joint operations and cross-border cooperation initiatives

—

Number of effective memoranda of understanding (MOU) agreed between law enforcement agencies and relevant bodies such as airlines, air express couriers, shipping companies, harbour authorities and chemical companies

—

Results achieved from EMPACT projects

—

Improved intelligence and information sharing on cross-border drug trafficking utilising, inter alia, available border surveillance systems

16.

Develop and progressively implement key indicators on drug supply by standardising, improving and streamlining data collection in this field, building on currently available data

—

Roadmap developed and agreed on the implementation of key drug supply indicators

—

MS agreement reached on key drug supply indicators

5.

Enhance effective judicial cooperation and legislation within the EU

17.

Strengthen EU judicial cooperation in targeting cross-border drug trafficking, money laundering, and in the confiscation of the proceeds of drug-related organised crime

—

Adoption and timely implementation of agreed EU measures and legislation on (a) confiscation and recovery of criminal assets; (b) money laundering; (c) approximation of drug trafficking offences and sanctions across the EU

—

Increased number of financial investigations and confiscations in relation to the proceeds of drug-related organised crime through EU judicial cooperation

—

Timely and effective responses to mutual assistance requests and European Arrest Warrants in relation to illicit drug trafficking

18.

Introduce and adopt new EU legislative measures to address the emergence, use and rapid spread of new psychoactive substances

—

EU legislation in place

—

Implementation of EU legislation in MS

19.

Strengthen EU legislation on drug precursors to prevent their diversion without disrupting lawful trade

—

Adoption and implementation of regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council on drug precursors amending both Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 and Regulation (EC) No 273/2004

20.

Combat the use of certain pharmacologically active substances (as defined in Directive 2011/62/EU) as cutting agents for illicit drugs

—

Number of seizures of active substances used as cutting agents for illicit drugs

—

Timely implementation of new EU legislative requirements aimed at securing the supply chain for active substances under Directive 2011/62/EU, the Falsified Medicines Directive

21.

Members States to provide, where appropriate and in accordance with their legal frameworks, alternatives to coercive sanctions (such as education, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare and social integration) for drug-using offenders

—

Increased availability and implementation of alternatives to prison for drug-using offenders in the areas of education, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare and social integration

—

Increased monitoring, implementation and evaluation of alternatives to coercive sanctions

6.

Respond effectively to current and emerging trends in illicit drug activity

22.

Identify strategic responses to address the role of new communication technologies and the hosting of associated websites, in the production, marketing, purchasing and distribution of illicit drugs, including controlled new psychoactive substances

—

Results achieved from law enforcement actions targeting drug-related crime via the Internet

—

Increased number of joint operations and cross-border cooperation initiatives

7.

Ensure effective EU coordination in the drugs field

23.

Enhance information sharing between the HDG and other relevant Council Working Groups

—

Extent to which the EU Drugs Strategy/and Action Plan are taken into account in the programmes of other Council Working Groups including COAFR, COASI, COEST, COLAT and COWEB

24.

Each presidency may convene meetings of the National Drugs Coordinators, and of other groupings as appropriate, to consider emerging trends, effective interventions and other policy developments of added value to the EU Drugs Strategy and to MS

—

Extent to which National Drug Coordinators’ meeting agenda reflects developments, trends and new insights in policy responses and provides for improved communication and information exchange

25.

The HDG will facilitate: (a) monitoring of the implementation of the Action Plan through thematic debates; and (b) an annual dialogue on the state of the drugs phenomenon in Europe

(a)

Biannually

(b)

Annually

—

Extent of implementation of the Action Plan

—

Timeliness of dialogue at the HDG on latest drug-related trends and data

26.

Ensure consistency and continuity of MS and EU actions across presidencies to strengthen the integrated, balanced and evidence-based approach to drugs in the EU

—

Extent of consistency and continuity of actions across presidencies

—

Advancement in implementation of EU Drugs Strategy priorities across presidencies

27.

Ensure coordination of EU drugs policies and responses, to support international cooperation between the EU, third countries and international organisations

—

Level of consistency and coherence in the objectives, expected results and measures foreseen in EU actions on drugs

—

Inclusion of drug-related priorities in strategies of relevant EU bodies

—

Intensified cooperation between the HDG and the geographical/regional working groups, including COAFR, COASI, COEST, COLAT and COWEB

28.

Achieve a coordinated and appropriate level of resources at EU level and Member State level to fulfil the priorities of the EU Drugs Strategy

—

Overarching indicator 14

—

Amount of funding at EU level, and where appropriate, MS level

—

Extent of coordination on drugs-related financial programmes across Council Working Groups

8.

Ensure effective coordination of drug-related policy at national level

29.

Coordinate actions on drugs policy between government departments/ministries and relevant agencies at MS level and ensure appropriate multi-disciplinary representation on, or input to, HDG delegations

—

Overarching indicator 14

—

Effectiveness of a horizontal drug policy coordination mechanism at MS level

—

Number of cross-cutting actions in drug demand and supply reduction at Member State level

9.

Ensure the participation of civil society in drugs policy

30.

Promote and support dialogue with, and involvement of, civil society and the scientific community in the development and implementation of drugs policies at MS and EU levels

—

Timely dialogues between EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs and the HDG during each Presidency period

—

Engagement of EU Civil Society Forum in reviewing implementation of the EU Drugs Action Plan

—

Level of involvement of civil society in MS and EU drugs policy development and implementation with particular regard to the involvement of drug users, clients of drug-related services and young people

—

Timely dialogue between the scientific community (natural and social sciences, including neuroscience and behavioural research) and the HDG

10.

Integrate the EU Drugs Strategy within the EU's overall foreign policy framework as part of a comprehensive approach that makes full use of the variety of policies and diplomatic, political and financial instruments at the EU's disposal in a coherent and coordinated manner

31.

Ensure policy coherence between the internal and external aspects of the EU drugs policies and fully integrate drugs issues within the political dialogues and framework agreements between the EU and its partners and in the EU advocacy on global issues or challenges

—

Overarching indicator 13

—

Drug policy priorities increasingly reflected in EU’s external policies and actions

—

Inclusion of drug-related priorities in EU strategies with third countries and regions

—

Number of agreements, strategy papers, action plans in place

32.

Ensure that the policy priorities and the balance between demand and supply reduction are well reflected in policy options and in the programming and implementation of external assistance, particularly in source and transit countries, through projects involving:

—

Extent to which EU’s drug policy priorities, especially the balance between demand and supply reduction, are reflected in funded priorities and projects

—

Level of implementation of coordinated actions in action plans between the EU and third countries and regions

—

Number of third country national strategies and action plans that incorporate integrated drug policies

33.

Improve capacity and strengthen the role of EU Delegations to enable them to proactively engage on drugs policy issues

—

Relevant expertise, training and policy guidance provided to EU Delegations

—

Regional networking among EU Delegations on drug issues enhanced

—

Coordination with MS enhanced

34.

Ensure an appropriate level of EU and MS funding and expertise to further strengthen and support third countries' efforts in addressing and preventing illicit drug crop cultivation, through rural development measures, in order to deal with the challenges to public health, safety and security

—

Number of third country national policies, strategies and action plans that incorporate integrated approaches to the problem of illicit drug crop cultivation

—

Improvements in human development indicators in drug-cultivating areas

—

Number of rural development projects and programmes funded by the EU and MS in regions where illicit crop cultivation is taking place, or in regions at risk of illicit crop cultivation

—

Reported local decrease in illicit drug crop cultivation in the long term

35.

Promote and implement the EU approach to alternative development (consistent with the EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020; the EU Approach to Alternative Development and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development 2013) in co-operation with third countries, taking into account human rights, human security and specific framework conditions, including:

—

Number of third country national policies, strategies and action plans that incorporate:

—

Number of evaluated projects that demonstrate positive outcomes relating to sustainable, legal and gender sensitive livelihoods

—

Improvements in human development indicators

36.

Support third countries, including civil society in those countries, to develop and implement risk and harm reduction initiatives particularly where there is a growing threat of transmission of drug-related blood-borne viruses associated with drug use including but not limited to HIV and viral hepatitis, as well as sexually transmittable diseases and tuberculosis

—

Number and quality of risk and harm reduction initiatives developed

—

Prevalence of drug-related deaths in third countries and drug-related blood-borne viruses including but not limited to HIV and viral hepatitis, as well as sexually transmittable diseases and tuberculosis

37.

Support third countries to tackle drug-related organised crime, including drug trafficking, by:

—

Number and effectiveness of projects and programmes

—

Sustained reduction in drug trafficking

38.

Reinforce cooperation and update and implement dialogues, declarations and EU Drugs Action Plans with partners, including:

—

Overarching indicator 13

—

Strengthened cooperation in the field of drugs with relevant partners

—

Dialogues organised

—

Declarations agreed

—

Programmes and action plans implemented

39.

Improve the Dublin Group consultative mechanism through intensified EU coordination and participation, better implementation and dissemination of the recommendations of the Mini Dublin Group reports

—

Level of activity across Dublin Group structures including number of Dublin Group recommendations effectively implemented

40.

Hold an annual dialogue on EU and MS drugs-related assistance to third countries accompanied by a written update

—

Annual dialogue on funding held

41.

Ensure that the promotion and protection of human rights are fully integrated in political dialogues and in the planning and implementation of relevant drugs-related programmes and projects including through the development of a human rights guidance and impact assessment tool

—

Human rights effectively mainstreamed into EU external drugs action

—

Human rights guidance and assessment tool developed and implemented

11.

Improve cohesiveness of EU approach and EU visibility in the United Nations (UN) and strengthen EU coordination with international bodies related to the drugs field

42.

Contribute to shaping the agenda on international drugs policy, including through:

—

Overarching indicator 13

—

Effective promotion of EU policies in the UN, including at the CND

—

Number of EU common positions supported by other regions and international bodies

—

Frequency with which EU speaks with a single effective voice in international fora and in dialogues with third countries

—

Level of successful adoption of EU resolutions at UN including at the CND

—

Outcome of the mid-term review of the 2009 UN Political Declaration and Action Plan on International Co-operation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem

—

Adoption of an EU Joint Position Paper for the 2016 UNGASS and reflection of the EU positions in the UNGASS outcome

43.

Strengthen partnerships with the UNODC, WHO UNAIDS and other relevant UN agencies, international and regional bodies and organisations and initiatives (such as the Council of Europe and the Paris Pact Initiative)

—

Overarching indicator 13

—

Number of information exchanges and activities between the EU and relevant international and regional bodies and organisations and initiatives

—

Effectiveness of partnerships with relevant bodies

12.

Support the process for acceding countries, candidate countries, and potential candidates to adapt to and align with the EU acquis in the drugs field, through targeted assistance and monitoring

44.

Provide targeted technical assistance, and other assistance and support as necessary, to acceding countries, candidate countries, and potential candidates to facilitate their adaptation to and alignment with the EU acquis in the drugs field

—

Increased compliance by countries with EU acquis

—

Number and quality of completed projects

—

National Drugs Strategies and national drugs coordinating structures established

13.

Ensure adequate investment in research, data collection, monitoring, evaluation and information exchange on all aspects of the drug phenomenon

45.

Promote appropriate financing of EU-level drug-related multi-disciplinary research and studies including through EU related financial programmes (2014-2020)

—

Amount and type of EU funding provided across the different programme and projects

46.

Ensure that EU-supported projects:

—

The inclusion of the priorities of the EU Strategy and Action Plan on Drugs in the funding and assessment criteria of EU-funded drugs-related research

—

Number, impact, complementarity and value of EU-funded drugs-related research grants and contracts awarded

—

Number of EU-funded drugs-related articles and research reports published in peer-reviewed journals with high impact factors

—

Annual debate at the HDG on drug-related research projects funded by the EU

47.

Promote scientific evaluations of policies and interventions at national, EU and international level

—

Overarching indicator 14

—

Regular progress review to the Council and European Parliament on Strategy and Action Plan implementation

—

External mid-term assessment of the Strategy/Action Plan completed — 2016

—

European guidelines for the evaluation of national drug strategies and action plans published

—

Delivery of dedicated studies into the effectiveness and impacts of EU and international drug policies

—

Completed evaluation of the implementation of the 2003 Council Recommendation on the prevention and reduction of health-related harm associated with drug dependence

14.

Maintain networking and cooperation and develop capacity within and across the EU’s knowledge infrastructure for information, research, monitoring and evaluation of drugs, particularly illicit drugs

48.

In collaboration with relevant parties as appropriate, continue to provide comprehensive analyses of:

—

Overarching indicators 1-15

—

Current deficits in the knowledge base established and an EU level framework developed to maximise analyses from current data holdings

—

Number of overviews and topic analyses on the drug situation

49.

Enhance training for those involved in responding to the drugs phenomenon

—

Number of initiatives at MS and EU level to train professionals in aspects of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction

—

Number of initiatives at MS and EU level implemented to train professionals related to data collection and reporting of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction

50.

Enhance data collection, research, analysis and reporting on:

—

Increased availability and implementation of evidence-based and scientifically sound indicators on drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction

—

At MS level, extent of new research initiated on emerging trends such as polydrug use and the misuse of prescribed controlled medicines; blood-borne diseases associated with drug use including but not limited to HIV and viral hepatitis, as well as sexually transmittable diseases and tuberculosis; psychiatric and physical co-morbidity; and other drug-related consequences

—

EU-wide study carried out on drug-related community intimidation and its impact on individuals, families and communities most affected and effective responses to it

—

Adoption of evidence-based and scientifically sound indicators on drug problems among prisoners

51.

Improve the capacity to detect, assess and respond effectively to the emergence and use of new psychoactive substances and monitor the extent to which such new substances impact on the number and profile of users

—

Overarching indicator 6

—

Extent of new epidemiological, pharmacological and toxicological research initiated on new psychoactive substances and supported by MS and EU research programmes

—

Extent of information, best practice and intelligence exchange

—

Extent of sharing by toxicology laboratories and by research institutes of toxicological and health data analyses on new psychoactive substances

52.

Strengthen efforts to share forensic science data, including laboratory reference standards, on new psychoactive substances, by enhancing co-operation through existing networks, such as the Drugs Working Group of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes in the framework of the JHA Council conclusions on the vision for European Forensic Science 2020

—

Overarching indicator 15

—

Extent of sharing of forensic science data on new psychoactive substances

—

Ease of access to laboratory reference standards by forensic science laboratories and institutes

53.

Improve the ability to identify, assess and respond at MS and EU levels to (a) behavioural changes in drug consumption and (b) to epidemic outbreaks

—

Number and effectiveness of new drug-related public health initiatives developed and implemented

—

Number and effectiveness of existing initiatives that are adjusted to take account of drug consumption or epidemic outbreaks

—

Number and impact of early warning reports, risk assessment and alerts

15.

Enhance dissemination of monitoring, research and evaluation results at EU and national level

54.

Member States continue to support EU monitoring and information exchange efforts, including cooperation with, and adequate support for, Reitox national focal points

—

Open-access outputs from EU-funded studies disseminated

—

Extent to which Reitox national focal points funding and other resources match requirements

—

Number and effectiveness of Reitox national focal points dissemination initiatives