Working Towards a Holistic Policy Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Misuse in Europe

Illicit drug trafficking is an alarming phenomenon in Europe, highlighted by the existence of two million problem drug users and the stark reality of over 7,500 fatal drug overdoses per year. There are root causes which can be identified and tackled through long term preventative strategies at social, educational and healthcare levels. However, to be effective, such schemes must be connected to a coherent policing and legal framework to target drug trafficking, cross-border organised crime and other criminology factors.

In its 2009 Annual Report, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction's latest findings state that "Participation in European research activities was found to vary considerably between countries, with much of the international cooperation taking place on an informal basis...research capacity, overall quality and funding availability vary widely in the EU, and there is a considerable need for capacity building and for funding to cover a broader range of policy areas linked to the EU drug action plan."

It is clear that the successful implementation of an EU-wide drugs policy hinges upon overcoming many obstacles: patchy information gathering in many member states, significant disparities between national strategies and programmes, limited cooperation between national drug research communities within Europe, to name but a few. Furthermore, many questions remain unanswered regarding demand and supply factors at both strategic and operational levels.

With the launch of the EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009-2012, hopes are high that a renewed commitment to address the gaps in capacity building across the EU will have a positive impact. This special International Symposium provides a timely opportunity for practitioners and stakeholders across the EU to discuss the latest challenges and consider the steps needed to revitalise the triple ‘C’ approach of Cooperation, Collaboration and Coordination in the fight against illicit drug trafficking through multi-level and cross-border approaches in Europe.

The Centre for Parliamentary Studies welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Programme

9:00 Registration and Morning Refreshments
10:00 Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

Prof. Brice De Ryuver PhD, Professor of Criminal Law, Ghent University (confirmed)
10:05 Introduction of Participants
10:30 Session One:
Combating Drugs through Integrated, Multidisciplinary and Balanced Approaches

Defining Demand Driven Factors and Indicators through Integrated Approaches
  • Creating a Knowledge Based Demand Reduction System – Priorities and Initiatives
  • Drug Related Social and Health Risks and Damages
  • Early Interventions for Breaking Path-Dependent Behaviour
  • Treatment Programmes, Rehabilitation and Reintegration
Speaker:
Dr. Michael Farrell, National Addiction Centre, King's College London (confirmed)

Defining Supply Driven Factors and Indicators for Better Prevention
  • Identifying Law Enforcement Mechanisms – Strengthening Cooperation among Member States
  • Intensifying Preventive Action against Drug Related Organised Crime – Possibilities for Regional and Thematic Cooperation
  • Drug Trafficking in an International Context – Prevention and Punishment Challenges
Speaker:
Prof. Brice De Ryuver PhD, Professor of Criminal Law, Ghent University (confirmed)
11:10 Morning Coffee Break
11:30 First Round of Discussions
12:10 Networking Lunch
13:10 Session Two:
Multi-Level Cooperation against Drug Trafficking – The Strategic and Operational Experience

Europol Perspective:
  • Europol Perspective - Strategy and Operations
  • Europol Support in Combating and Preventing Drug Related Organised Crime
  • Europol's Developments towards a Support Centre for Law Enforcement Operations, a Criminal Information Hub and a Centre for Law Enforcement Expertise
Speakers:
Mr. László Salgó Ph.D., Associate Professor of Criminal Law, Assistant Director of Operations, Europol (confirmed)

Multi agency cooperation - A dream or reality?

  • Potentially, the instruments and mechanisms exist to achieve the goals in the fight against illegal drug trafficking and production but they are not in line in an efficient way.
  • The approach
    • multi disciplinary approach: taken in account the multiple disciplines, a cooperation with several organisators and sectors
    • multi agency: cooperation with the law enforcement agencies involved and with several police departement
    • multi level: on local, national and international level
  • Through two different examples we will try to give an answer on the question:
    • In corpore smuggling by air
    • The detection and the dismantling of illicit drug laboratories
Speakers:
Mr. Marc Vanhulle, Senior Officer, Federal Police – Central Drugs Office, Belgium Federal Police (confirmed)
13:55 Second Round of Discussions
14:35 Short Coffee Break
14:55 Session Three:
Multi-Agency Cooperation as an Effective Tool in the Fight against Drug Trafficking
  • Supporting Agencies’ Work – Challenges and Best Practices
  • Improving Cooperation at National and Transnational Levels
  • Effective Prevention of Demand and Supply
  • Implementing Law Mechanisms – Challenges and Best Practices
Speakers:
Mr. Patrick Penninckx, Executive Secretary of Pompidou Group, Council of Europe (confirmed)
Mr. Carel Edwards, Head of Unit, Coordination of Anti-Drugs Policy, JLC, European Commission (confirmed)
15:40 Third Round of Discussions
16:20 Chair's Summary and Closing Remarks
16:25 Networking Reception and Refreshments

Who Should Attend?

  • National Police Agencies
  • Ministries of Interiors
  • Border Control Agencies
  • Rehabilitation Centres
  • Drug Addiction Centres
  • Research Institutes
  • Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Immigration Advisers
  • Employee Relations Advisers
  • Legal Criminal Advisers
  • Campaigning Organisations
  • National Health Employers
  • Local Authority Officers & Councillors
  • Police & Fire Service
  • National Drug Research Communities
  • Central Government Departments & Bodies
  • Regulatory Bodies
  • Citizen’s Advice & Third Sector Practitioners
  • Academics
  • Public Health Authorities
  • Ministries of Health
  • Social Services
  • International Associations
  • Public Health Agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Homelessness Assessment & Prevention Officers
  • Housing Associations
  • Tenants & Residents' Associations
  • Local Strategic Partnerships
  • Neighbourhood Renewal Teams
  • Social Exclusion Officers
  • Health & Safety Executives
  • Chemical Industry
  • Fire Brigades
  • Civil Protection Secretariats
  • Coast Guard Services
CPS logo

News

29
Welfare reform options outlined
Ministers are to set out options for reforming the benefits system and moving people from welfare into work. More
29
Cameron defends Pakistan comments
David Cameron says it is important to "speak frankly" after criticism of his comments about Pakistan's record on tackling terrorism. More
29
UKIP wins £367,000 donation case
The UK Independence Party wins its court battle against having to pay back all of a £367,697 "impermissible donation". More
Continuous Professional Development certification logo
image
13th April 2010
The Renaissance Hotel, Brussels


Register your place

“Europe has developed as a formidable laboratory to study and understand drug use and drug-related responses, and this now provides us with considerable opportunities for collective learning and knowledge sharing.”

“The new EU action plan identifies five key priorities that reflect its areas of action: improving coordination, cooperation and raising public awareness; reducing the demand for drugs; reducing the supply of drugs; improving international cooperation; and, improving the understanding of the problem.”
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2009 Annual Report
image
“Drugs are a major concern for the citizens of Europe and a major threat to the security and health of European society.

The EU Drugs Strategy deals with a complex phenomenon that requires a long-term approach to bring about change. It is centred on the two key dimensions of drug policy, drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction, complemented by three cross-cutting themes, coordination, international cooperation and information, research and evaluation.

There should be a balanced approach to reducing the supply and demand for drugs, that this should be based on reliable data regarding the nature and extent of the problem, on respect for fundamental rights and human dignity, and – increasingly – on coordinated and cross-border law enforcement aimed at drug traffickers and organized crime.”
Communication from the European Commission on an EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009-2012, COM(2008) 567/4, September 2008
“The Commission is aware of the importance of the role that it will have to play in the development of a common EU position. If Europe is to be increasingly present on the international scene and make its voice heard, there must be closer coordination between the Union and the Member States. EU actions at international level to fight drug abuse and illicit trafficking will be informed by the awareness that responsibility for the worldwide drug problem is shared by all countries.”
European Commission Statement on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June 2008