The issue of addictions has long received insufficient attention at both the member state and European Union (EU) levels. Despite the significant health and societal burden associated with both illegal and legal drugs, EU institutions have paid little attention to addictions during this legislative period and continued with ineffective policies. The new mandate of the European Parliament (EP) and the European Commission (EC) represent a crucial opportunity to rectify this situation and redefine priorities.
The purpose of this memorandum is to outline the challenges, opportunities, and proposed solutions for a rational addiction policy in the EU for the 2024–2029 legislative period. The memorandum also appeals to elected representatives to base their decisions on verified scientific sources. Only this approach can lead to a modern regulatory framework that, instead of persecution on one hand and inadequate regulation on the other, offers smart policies that reduce health and societal harms.
Czech Republic as a Model Example
The Czech Republic has gradually integrated addiction issues (legal and illegal drugs, as well as behavioural addictions) into a single policy. This approach, logical and scientifically supported, allows for effective monitoring of the relative significance and societal harm of individual phenomena. This holistic approach significantly impacts rational drug policy and public health, including policies related to tobacco and alcohol.
Since the early 1990s, the harm reduction concept has been a part of Czech drug policy. This approach minimizes the adverse health, economic, and social impacts associated with both legal and illegal psychoactive substances. In 2024, harm reduction officially became part of UN policy. The Czech addiction policy is thus modern, comprehensive, and scientifically based, making the Czech Republic a leader in this field within the EU.
Existing Deficiencies in the EU Approach
The COVID-19 pandemic and other global issues have brought addiction and drug policy to the EU level. EU institutions must cooperate with government actors, civil society, NGOs, and independent experts, and base their decisions on scientific evidence.
However, the European Commission continues to operate under the prohibitionist paradigm of the “war on drugs,” which has been repeatedly questioned in terms of its effectiveness. The outputs of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and Europol provide valuable insights but are influenced by this ideology. For modern policy, outdated frameworks need to be abandoned, focusing instead on scientifically backed data.
Seven Pillars of Rational Addiction Policy
- Evidence-Based Regulation: Regulation should be based on scientific knowledge and data, not unsupported public opinions.
- Safety of Europe and the Rule of Law: Prohibition strengthens illegal markets and criminal structures, threatening safety and the rule of law.
- Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights: The use of psychoactive substances should not be disproportionately punished compared to legal substances like alcohol.
- Harm Reduction: The public health concept of harm reduction should be the main principle of regulation.
- Support for Prevention and Treatment: Ensuring the availability and funding of addiction treatment.
- Support for Research: Investing in research on drug and addiction policy and adapting strategies based on scientific findings.
- International Cooperation: Reforming global drug policy with a focus on modern and scientifically backed approaches.
Appeal to MEPs
We appeal to candidates for the European Parliament and newly elected MEPs to consider the above points in the upcoming period. We urge future MEPs to consider establishing an informal group within the EP after the European elections in June 2024, dedicated to addressing addiction and drug policy in greater detail. The activities of such a platform would enable better sharing of the Czech model of progressive substance regulation and addiction policy with other member states and EU institutions directly involved in shaping recommendations and legislative frameworks.