91998E0413

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0413/98 by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission (24 February 1998)

Subject: EU support for drugs policy organizations

It has come to my notice that EU financial support was given in both 1996 and 1997 to organizations such as European Cities on Drug Policy (ECDP), whose aims include the legalization of drugs, the opening of coffee shops and the legalized prescription of heroin. Yet European Cities Against Drugs (ECAD), an association of 180 European towns and cities opposing liberal drugs policies, received no support whatsoever.

Will the Commission state which organizations active in the drugs policy field have received support, why their applications were approved and why no support has been given to ECAD? Will it also explain the drugs policy strategy on which the allocation of funding and the granting of support to organizations which make it difficult for Member States to abide by the relevant UN conventions are based?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (3 April 1998)

The Community action plan to combat drugs (1995-1999) ((COM(94)234 final. )) constitutes the reference framework for activities conducted in this field by the Community and its Member States and has no bias in favour of all legalisation approach towards illegal drugs.

The Commission emphasises that the objectives of the Community action programme for the prevention of drug dependence incorporate the prevention of associated risks. The activities proposed in this field by the 'European Cities on Drug Policy' network were examined in accordance with the arrangements, criteria and procedures for selecting and financing projects, and were supported after consultation of the committee established by the Decision No 102/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 adopting a programme of Community action on the prevention of drug dependence within the framework for action in the field of publlic health (1996-2000) ((OJ L 19, 22.1.1997. )) setting up the programme, in view of their tie-in with certain priority measures under the programme.

The Commission invites all organisations active in the field of drug demand reduction to submit projects of Community interest, which are examined on the basis of their contribution to the objectives and priorities of the programme.

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that no application for financial support has been received from the 'Europe Cities Against Drugs' network.

The Commission does not consider that the projects currently receiving support are contrary to the United Nations conventions. It wishes to point out that legislation on drug use is exclusively the responsibility of the Member States.