92001E1607

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1607/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 June 2001)

Subject: New measures to combat drug use

Studies on drug use have revealed a slight rise in some Member States in the age of first contact with drugs, an increase in the number of people using alcohol and cannabis and a fall in the use of hard drugs such as heroin, while the numbers taking other illegal substances have stabilised.

Many governments have already reformed various aspects of their legal systems in connection with the fight against drug trafficking. Measures include introducing a closer correlation between the sentence imposed and the quantity of drugs seized, a greater range of sentences for small-scale traffickers and reduced sentences for those who co-operate with the authorities. Such measures have reinforced the fight against drug trafficking given that, although patterns of drug use and the profile of drug users may change, drug use remains prevalent.

Given the constant changes in drug trafficking, how is the Commission encouraging all Member States to adopt more up-to-date, robust and rigorous rules to combat this phenomenon?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2001)

The Member States and the Community share responsibility for policy and legislation on the prevention of drug abuse.

Since 1990 the Union has stressed the need for an overall multidisciplinary and integrated approach to the fight against drugs based on action in four main areas: (i) reduction of demand; (ii) reduction of supply and measures to combat illegal trafficking; (iii) international co-operation; (iv) coordination at national and EU levels.

On 23 May 2001, to meet the challenge posed by the traffickers who supply the population with narcotics and psychotropic substances, the Commission approved a proposal for a Council framework decision laying down minimum provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of illicit drug trafficking(1). Such a proposal had been called for in the conclusions of the Tampere European Council of 15 and 16 October 1999 and in the European Action Plan to Combat Drugs (2000-2004)(2).

As the Honourable Member has pointed out, it is important that the Union should clearly demonstrate its commitment to the fight against drug trafficking, which poses a threat to people's health, security and quality of life, by adopting the proposal for a Council framework decision, laying down a common approach in the field of criminal law and strengthening co-operation between Member States.

(1) COM(2001) 259/4.

(2) COM(1999) 239 final.