Pompidou Group - Combating drug abuse and drug trafficking

MedNET Network
The Mediterranean network for co-operation on drugs and addictions (MedNET) aims to foster co-operation, exchanges and two-way transfers of knowledge between countries of the southern and eastern Mediterranean and European states which are members of the Pompidou Group and donors (North-South and South-North exchanges), as well as between the countries of the Mediterranean Basin themselves (South-South exchanges). Independent experts provide their expertise and experience.
Aims
The ultimate aim is to improve the quality of implementation of drugs policy in all the participating countries, with the emphasis on greater awareness of cultural factors influencing intervention policies.
Target Groups
The network is a co-operation mechanism for professionals working on the ground: doctors, social workers, representatives of NGOs and public associations, researchers and policy-makers and officials. It is geared to promoting interaction between the political, practical and scientific aspects.
Development and Financing of the network
The network was being developed for a period of one year (2006-2007) after which it was assessed. It was thus recognised as being flexible in terms of functioning and structure and the 2008 activities were pursued under the coordination of the Pompidou Group. The annual report of activities for 2008 confirmed that the flexibility of the functioning was instrumental to the positive results of the network. Funding for the development period was provided by the Netherlands and France. In 2007, voluntary contributions from Italy, Portugal and Spain were added. Since then, the budget continues to be fed by voluntary contributions.
Participating countries
The initial focus of the project in 2006 was on North Africa: Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. In Europe, the partners were France and the Netherlands which took up where the 1999 Malta initiative - the first conference organised on setting up a co-operation network on drug use in the Mediterranean region - had left off. Since, the project has been extended and thirteen countries have so far become members.

Lebanon joined the Mediterranean network since January 2007. Italy and Spain joined in June 2007 and Portugal in September 2007. Along with the representatives of these countries, who must be empowered to commit their national authorities, independent experts are also invited to bring in their knowledge and experience, especially in the framework of the MedSPAD project (Mediterranean School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs). Progressively, other countries joined the network: Tunisia in January 2009, Jordan and Egypt in May 2010 and Cyprus in June 2010, as well as Greece in March 2011.

Member States: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia.
Added value
- Adaptation to the southern Mediterranean cultural context of the methodology and tools recognised and used in Europe
- Wide range of activities whereby qualitative and quantitative information in various fields is collected with a view to a comprehensive approach to the drug problem
- Bridging role between Europe and the southern part of the Mediterranean region
- Exchange of knowledge and experience between the countries of the southern rim of the Mediterranean
- Activities based on needs expressed by stakeholders in the countries concerned
- Instilling of awareness and skills in the drug field through meetings at which various agencies come together
- Flexibility in the implementation of programmes
- Regular and thorough evaluation by all stakeholders
- Cost-effectiveness
Publications & Documents
Meeting the needs for treatment and treatment centres in Egypt (Egypt, March 2012)
Report prepared by the General Secretariat of Mental Health of the Ministry of Health and Population in the framework of the Project "Filling the Gap"
suite Report

Work Programme 2012
Adopted at the 11th MedNET meeting in Brussels on 15 November 2011
suite Programme

Activity Report 2011
Adopted at the 11th MedNET meeting in Brussels on 15 November 2011
suite Report

Activity Report 2010
Adopted at the 9th MedNET meeting in Rabat on 3 December 2010
suite Report

Situational Needs Assessment 2009 (Lebanon, September 2011)
Report prepared by Skoun (Lebanese Addiction Centre) in the framework of the Project "Filling the Gap"
suite Report

Guidelines for the Mediterranean School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (MedSPAD)
suite Guidelines

Training for trainers in implementation of drug abuse prevention projects in Algeria
Trainings for trainers in Zeralda, Batna, Oran and Ghardaia in 2009
suite Publication in French version
suite Publication in Arabic version

MedNET High Level Conference
Strasbourg, 1st December 2009
suite Declaration
suite Conference report
suite Feasibility study

MedSPAD survey in Lebanon
suite Publication 2009 (pdf format)

Presentation of MedNET
suite Brochure 2010 (pdf format)


suite All documents of MedNET

suite All publications from Pompidou Group