EMCDDA news

Over 50 representatives of the Reitox national focal points (NFPs) and decision-makers from more than 20 countries will gather in Prague this week for a Reitox academy on the theme of prevention (1). The two-day course will centre on the European adaptation of the Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC), taken forward by the European Commission-funded Universal Prevention Curriculum in Europe project (UPC-ADAPT)(2)(3). 28.11.2018 

Experts in the implementation of evidence-based interventions from Europe and North America are gathering at the EMCDDA this week for the agency’s first technical meeting on ‘Pathways to implementation’. Implementing responses to drug problems is an important but often neglected area. Regardless of the evidence that exists to support the use of a response option, it is unlikely to be effective if it is implemented poorly (1). Over the course of two days (27–28 November), the experts will share their experience and implementation approaches. 27.11.2018 

Europe gets stronger system to tackle new psychoactive substances 23.11.2018  Europe’s ability to rapidly respond to public health and social threats caused by new psychoactive substances (NPS/‘new drugs’) will be significantly strengthened, thanks to new legislation applying from today (1). The legislation — applicable across Europe from 23 November 2018 — strengthens the EU Early Warning System (EU EWS) and risk assessment procedures on NPS and shortens control processes. The legislation comes in response to the recent growth in the availability of NPS and follows proposals from the European Commission (EC).

This news item was published in the EMCDDA’s Cannabis drug policy news on 16.11.2018 16.11.2018 

Representatives of candidate, potential candidate and neighbouring countries of the EU and countries of Central Asia are joining members of the EMCDDA’s Reitox network (1) in Lisbon from 12–16 November for the agency’s seventh Reitox week. The purpose of this annual event is to broaden the scope of the regular Heads of national focal point (NFP) meetings, underline the usefulness of the EU drug monitoring model; add impetus to the agency’s technical cooperation with countries outside the EU and learn from each other’s experience. 13.11.2018