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Extended powers including risk and threat assessments
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Agency charged with monitoring, preparedness, data analysis and assessments of member state policies
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MEPs wanted to ensure transparency, dialogue with civil society
On Tuesday, EP and Council negotiators reached a deal creating an EU Drugs Agency by extending the powers of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).
The deal from the inter-institutional negotiations foresees a new agency with a stronger capacity for analysis and monitoring, and a faster and more efficient early warning system. When new psychoactive substances are discovered, it would develop a risk assessment in cooperation with other EU bodies. Also, the agency would set up a European system for drug alerts, adopt health and security threat assessments to identify new developments at an early stage, help national authorities collect data, and promote best practices. The agency can also support member states, with their agreement, in developing and implementing drug-related interventions and measures, and assess these measures. Its broader mandate also allows it to respond to polysubstance use, or the consumption of multiple substances at once or in quick succession.
Transparency and collaboration with civil society
In the negotiations, MEPs wanted to increase the transparency of the Agency, find a balance taking into account the health, social and human rights dimensions of drug and substance use, and make sure that its research and data collection take into account age and gender perspectives. They also introduced provisions on ensuring dialogue with civil society organisations, with a dedicated contact point in the Agency for this purpose.
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After the vote, rapporteur Isabel Santos (S&D, PT) said:
“Drug-related challenges are increasingly diverse and complex. The soon-to-be Agency will, therefore, need to take an evidence-based, integrated, balanced and multidisciplinary approach to the drugs phenomenon. The deal we reached today is a very positive one and it creates a future-proof agency, in which we were able to secure the involvement of the European Parliament in its structure and ensure cooperation with civil society organizations. We reached a balanced approach between security and the health and social aspects. I am happy with this provisional agreement, and I look forward to seeing the implementation of this new mandate.”
Next steps
After final adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, the regulation can be published in the official journal of the EU. The following day, it will enter into force, and its provisions will be applied 12 months later.