ΕUROPEAN UNION DRUGS AGENCY,update

 

November 2024 DRUG-RELATED VIOLENCE Call to action on drug-related violence The first European Conference on Drug-Related Violence, organised this month in Brussels by the EUDA and the European Commission, culminated in a powerful Call to action, delivered by EUDA Executive Director Alexis Goosdeel. The text draws on the issues raised at the event to encourage and support efforts to enhance safety and security across all sectors of society, with measures to anticipate, alert, respond and learn from the growing complexities of drug-related violence. At the conference, leading experts engaged in dynamic discussions, addressing the multifaceted challenges of drug-related violence. The issues explored ranged from public safety and health implications, to responses and innovative strategies and interventions. The focus of the event was how to break the cycle of drug-related violence and build a better future.  Call to action >> | Event >> | Video >> | Closing session >>  LABORATORIES New lab network to strengthen EU preparedness on drugs   On 12 November, we convened the inaugural meeting of our newly established network of forensic and toxicological laboratories, a key initiative outlined in our new mandate (Article 15). This network will play a critical role in supporting EU preparedness on drugs. The primary purpose of the meeting was to review initial progress in setting up the network and to outline its operational framework. It also provided a platform for experts from across Europe to connect, exchange views and best practice, and explore ongoing challenges in the drugs field. The meeting was divided into two sessions: 'Establishing the network' and 'Multidisciplinary perspectives and challenges'. Read more >> DRUG-RELATED INFECTIOUS DISEASES New tool for monitoring drug-related infectious diseases  This month, we published a 'Drug-related infectious diseases (DRID) technical protocol – surveys on HIV and viral hepatitis in people who inject drugs'. The protocol outlines the key steps to be taken for determining whether and how to set up a survey to monitor DRID, assess related risk factors and evaluate preventive interventions among people who inject drugs. Implementing surveys of this kind enhances the ability to monitor progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals and related elimination targets. These surveys also collect valuable information on drug use patterns and access to harm reduction services among this key population. The protocol is accompanied by 'Best practice examples of surveys for monitoring drug-related infectious diseases in the EU/EEA'. This supplement includes real-world examples of the various survey steps.  Read more >>  ABOUT US Acting today, anticipating tomorrow Looking for a brief overview of our work? Look no further, we have just published a presentation flyer summarising our mission, purpose and values. The text includes a summary of our four service categories: anticipate, alert, respond and learn.  Read more >> EUDA presentation at LxAddictions24 Our Executive Director's presentation delivered at Lisbon Addictions 2024 last month is now available for download from the conference website. The presentation (available as a PPT and video) describes the agency's new mission and service categories.  PPT presentation >> | Video >>  INTERNATIONAL Working Arrangement with Chile The European Union and Chile took a significant step forward in addressing drug-related challenges this month, with the signing of a Working Arrangement between the EUDA and the Servicio Nacional para la Prevención y Rehabilitación del Consumo de Drogas y Alcohol (SENDA). The agreement was signed in Santiago de Chile on 4 November by our EUDA Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel and National Director of SENDA, Natalia Riffo Alonso. Chile is one of the countries participating in the ongoing COPOLAD III programme. Read more >>  WEBINARS Webinar: women who use drugs 'Health and social responses for women who use drugs — perspectives from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe', was the title of an EUDA webinar held on 22 November. The aim of the webinar, organised under the COPOLAD III programme, was to share knowledge on gender and drugs, with a particular focus on women who use drugs and their needs. The webinar discussed challenges and possibilities, drawing on experiences in different countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. The recording will be available shortly on the webinar page.  Webinar >> Webinar: drugs and prison 'Health and social responses for drugs in prisons — implications for Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe', was the title of an EUDA webinar held on 28 November. Organised under the COPOLAD III programme, the webinar discussed related challenges and the possibilities for addressing drugs and prison in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. The recording will be available shortly on the webinar page.  Webinar >> LEARNING European Drugs Winter School 2025 Dates: 10–21 March 2025 (online). This year, the special focus of the two-week online course will be ‘Crime prevention'. The course will feature live lunchtime lectures with experts and practitioners, followed by afternoon exercises. Virtual fieldwork tours will also be offered. Those wishing to obtain credits are required to complete exercises and sit an exam. The sessions will be recorded and available to the students for subsequent viewing. Read more >>  European Drugs Summer School 2025 Dates: 23 June–4 July 2025 (Lisbon). In 2025, this face-to-face two-week course places special focus on 'Synthetic opioids'. Study visits will be organised to one of the Portuguese commissions for dissuasion as well as to mobile methadone units and a drug consumption room in Lisbon. During the course, students will participate in daily in-person lectures as well as group exercises and interactive workshops to discuss their own projects and views. The course will conclude with an open debate with guest speakers, followed by an exam for those wishing to obtain credits.  Read more >> RECRUITMENT Head of unit — Risks to public safety and security This month, we published a vacancy for the post of Head of unit — Risks to public safety and security (policy, crime and markets)(Temporary agent (M/F) AD 9). The successful candidate will lead this key EUDA scientific unit, which is responsible for the areas of drug policy, drug-related crime and drug markets. The jobholder will work closely with scientific staff and coordinate areas of work currently structured in two sectors: 'Markets, crime, supply reduction and precursors' and 'Policy and society'.   Deadline for applications: 11.12.2024.  Read more >>

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Drugnet Europe: September 2024

 

September 2024 PREPAREDNESS Call to action on new synthetic opioids  Our Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel, issued a Call to action to EU partners and Member States on 30 September urging them to unite against the growing threat posed by new synthetic opioids. In his address — 'New synthetic opioids: European preparedness and response' — he highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action. Mr Goosdeel delivered the call at the meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), where he was presenting the work of the new agency and the state of the drugs problem in Europe.  Read more >> | Call to action >> RECESSION How do economic recessions influence illicit drug use? This month, we launched a new report which sheds light on how economic downturns can impact the use of illicit drugs. The publication — The impact of economic recessions on the use of illicit drugs: findings from a scoping literature review — highlights how young people and socioeconomically vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected during times of recession. The effects of recessions on the use of illicit drugs remains an under-researched topic. The review presents preliminary findings, highlights gaps in current research and raises questions for future work in this area. Following the publication of this report on 6 September, we organised a meeting on the socioeconomic determinants of drug use (9–10 September). Read more >> | Report >>

Drugnet Europe: summer edition 2024

 

Summer edition 2024 WELCOME TO THE EUDA!  Born on 2 July! European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) We are delighted to announce the birth of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) on 2 July! The EUDA replaces the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), which had been operating in Lisbon since 1995. This development is the result of legislation entering into application that day, which revised the EMCDDA mandate and name and formally established the EUDA. With new tools and competencies, our new agency will contribute to EU preparedness on drugs, helping the EU and its Member States to anticipate and respond effectively to the impact of drug-related threats. To mark the occasion, we hosted a week of events for staff and key stakeholders.  Read more >> | Our first steps >>    Official inauguration and press conference The official inauguration of the EUDA took place on 3 July. We were honoured to welcome the following speakers on the press conference panel: European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson; Portuguese Secretary of State for Health, Ana Povo; Chair of the EUDA Management Board (Austria), Dr Franz Pietsch; EUDA Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel. News release (inauguration) >> | Press conference recording >> | Speeches >> | Video >>