Drug Policy

African Union Commission Drug Control Technical Experts Meeting: ISSUP Participation and Key Insights

The AUC convened a Drug Control Technical Experts Meeting in Maputo to review progress under the AUPA 2019–2025 and shape the next continental drug strategy. ISSUP, represented by Joanna Travis-Roberts and A/Prof Goodman Sibeko, contributed to discussions on strengthening both drug supply and demand reduction. Delegates highlighted persistent challenges, including limited capacity, weak data systems, and uneven access to across Member States. The draft AU Drug Strategy 2026–2033 proposes ten strategic pillars centred on public health, data integration, youth engagement, coordinated governance, and addressing harms related to substance use disorders. ISSUP reaffirmed its commitment to capacity building, youth and community engagement, network strengthening, and improved data collection through tools such as the Web App ASSIST.

Trends in Substance Use Among Young People in the EU: A Secondary Analysis of Available Data

Scientific article

INTRODUCTION: Substance use among adolescents in the European Union constitutes a significant public health challenge. Particularly concerning are the early onset of use, patterns of polydrug consumption, and the emergence of novel...

Drug Supply Reduction: an Overview of EU Policies and Measures

Scientific article

1 January 2017

Illicit drug markets operate through a complex, global chain—from production and trafficking to consumption and the profits that fuel organised crime. At every stage, these activities compromise the health and security of countries...

Drug Supply Reduction: an Overview of EU Policies and Measures

Council of the European Union (2013b), EU-Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs (2014–2020)

Report

1 October 2013

The European Union and Central Asian countries have joined forces through the EU–Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs 2014–2020, building on earlier cooperation dating back to 2002. This plan recognises the shared challenges posed by drug...

Council of the European Union (2013b), EU-Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs (2014–2020)

Council of the European Union (2013a), EU Action Plan on Drugs 2013–2016

Report

23 May 2013

In 2012, the Council of the European Union adopted the EU Drugs Strategy for 2013–2020, setting a long-term framework to reduce both drug demand and supply. To put this into practice, the Irish Presidency developed the first EU Drugs Action...

Council of the European Union (2013a), EU Action Plan on Drugs 2013–2016

Council of the European Union (2012a), European Union Drugs Strategy 2013–2020

Scientific article

1 March 2013

The EU Drugs Strategy (2013–2020) set out a shared political framework to guide the European Union’s approach to drugs policy. Grounded in the principles of EU law and international conventions, it focused on protecting public health...

Council of the European Union (2012a), European Union Drugs Strategy 2013–2020

Council of the European Union (2010), Draft Council Conclusions on the Creation and Implementation of an EU Policy Cycle for Organised and Serious International Crime

Report

1 October 2010

In 2010, the EU introduced a new policy cycle to strengthen the fight against organised and serious international crime. This cycle provides a structured way for Member States to work together, set shared priorities, and respond to cross...