Pompidou Group | Events 2009

Rabat, 30 November-2 December

MedNet: regional seminar in Morocco on national drug observatories/resource centres
The network on cooperation in the Mediterranean region MedNet organises a regional seminar to lay the foundations for national drug observatories / resource centres from 30 November- 2 December 2010 in Rabat, Morocco. This seminar organised with the participation of the European Union agency, European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction – EMCDDA. concludes the series of regional seminars on data collection which were held in 2010 as a follow up of the feasibility study on the setting up a Mediterranean Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction in October 2009. It will bring together around 50 participants from 12 countries: Morocco, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Russian Federation.

Chisinau, 1-3 December
Seminar on Harm Reduction and opiate substitution Treatment in Moldova Three international experts will lead the seminar and train prison directors, heads of security and doctors from Moldova and Ukraine. The seminar is part of the project “Treatment and Harm Reduction in Prisons (THRP)” aimed at improving the human rights and public health situation in Moldova

Strasbourg, 3-4 November

Belgian, Spanish and British projects are winners of the European Drug Prevention Prize 2010
The Prize 2010 was awarded to three winners during the ministerial conference of 3 November 2010. The Prize is awarded every two years to projects conceived for and by young people. In the 2010 edition, the jury composed of 6 young people aged 18 to 23 years selected these 3 out of 80 projects from 26 countries that they found the most innovative in terms of content, efficiency, youth involvement and participation. The winners each received a diploma, a trophy and an amount of money to continue their efforts.

Strasbourg, 3-4 November

France elected as the new chair of the Pompidou Group
Ministers and representatives from Pompidou Group member States, Mediterranean non member States and other international organisations met on 3 and 4 November in Strasbourg to debate current policy approaches and decide on the Pompidou Group work programme for 2011-2014. France represented by Etienne Apaire, President of the inter-ministerial mission against drug abuse (MILDT) was elected as the new presidency of the Group (at left on the photo, with Adam Fronczak for the outgoing Polish presidency). The conference also saw the accession of new members to the Pompidou Group: Serbia and “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.” The conference held a debate on "Drug-related risks at the work place", "Early intervention" and supply reduction in this context. The three winning projects of the 2010 European Drug Prevention Prize - a Belgian, a Spanish and a British project- were also announced.

Strasbourg, 3-4 November

EU drugs agency signs accord with Pompidou Group
Coordinating efforts to address Europe’s drugs problem and using resources effectively were among the pledges made on 3 November by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) and the Pompidou Group in a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in the margins of the Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group. It was signed by Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and EMCDDA Director Wolfgang Götz.

What's new about the research Register?

The Pompidou Group online Register, intended for the research community, allows the users to find who does what in drug research. 628 persons have registered so far and have given information on 145 research projects. They can consult and register the information concerning the projects, researchers, research institutes, funding agencies, calls for collaboration and calls for tender. After an update in 2009 in order to improve its ergonomics, functionalities, use and consultation, some more improvements have just been made to allow direct access to the details of the researchers and to indicate whether an institute is a focal point of the Reitox network.

Beirut, 13-15 October

Chemical drugs, Precursors and supply indicators: MedNET regional seminar on data collection
This seminar in Beirut (13-15 October) brought together representatives from the police, customs, Ministry of the Interior in Lebanon, Algeria, Egypt, France, Malta and non member countries of MedNET such as Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, the Netherlands and United Kingdom. To increase the awareness of the dangers of precursors, to improve the collaboration with ministries, customs, police and the chemical industry and to learn about the importance of collecting information on supply indicators were the objectives of this seminar.

London, 27 September-1st October

A study visit of an Egyptian delegation to the United Kingdom
The Mediterranean network for co-operation on drugs and addictions (MedNET) is organising in London from 27 September to 1st October, in co-operation with the UK Department of Health, a study visit for Egyptian attorneys, judges and psychiatrists who work in the addiction field. The participants will have the opportunity to analyse a successful judicial system and process of referral for treatment as well as different treatment modalities offered. This study visit is the first part of the 2010 – 2012 project launched by Egypt after its recent accession to MedNET.

Start of the project “Treatment and Harm Reduction in Prisons” in Moldova

The Pompidou Group has just started, in collaboration with the Department of Penitentiary Institutions of the Moldovan Ministry of Justice, this project with the overall objective to improve the Human Rights and Public Health situation in the Republic of Moldova. More specifically the project aims at contributing to current reforms and development of drugs strategies in Moldova and in the region (more)

Warsaw, 7 September
Meeting of the Pompidou Group Bureau The meeting was held with the participation of Adam Fronczak, the Undersecretary of State of the Polish Ministry of Health. The Bureau finalised the Pompidou Group work programme 2011 - 2014 and prepared the agenda of the Ministerial Conference which will take place in Strasbourg on 3-4 November 2010.

Strasbourg, 30 September-1st October

Drug precursors’ diversion: improving national and international cooperation mechanisms
The Pompidou Group is organising this Conference on the prevention of drug precursors’ diversion and perspectives for national and international cooperation. It will bring together around 100 representatives of national regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies from 35 member States. The aims are to examine into mechanisms to improve information exchange and coordination among law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities on a national level, to raise awareness on better use of existing international cooperation tools in their efforts to prevent drug precursors’ diversion as well as to contribute to the improvement of inter-agency cooperation on an international level.

Jordan, 20-22 September

A step further in the cooperation with Jordan
The MedNET network organised a regional seminar on data collection. It was the first event held by MedNET in Jordan after their joining the network. It brought together around 50 psychiatrists, medical staff, sociologists and administration staff from Jordan, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco to exchange expertise and prepare the ground for carrying out a MedSPAD school survey in Jordan in 2011. It also prepared the setting up of a treatment reporting system to be developed throughout the year 2011 in Jordan and in other countries.

The TV spot on drug driving is aired at music festivals

This spot, launched by the Pompidou Group last March, was aired on large screens during several big music Festivals this summer. Among them, the "Eurockéennes" in Belfort (France), "Rock Otocec" in Novo Mesto (Slovenia), the Open Air Festival in St Gallen (Switzerland) as well as "Kiss my Rock" in Berlin-Brandenburg and Rock im Stadtpark UG (Germany). Others like "Klangfarben" in Regensburg, "KitKet" in Weimar, Resist to Exist in Berlin (Germany) have distributed post cards related to the spot. These cards have also been published on festival web sites (Bootboohook in Hannover, Germany) or magazines (Festivalhopper (Germany). The spot has also been broadcasted many times by the French-German TV channel ARTE and will continue to be shown during the year. The music channel MCM and several regional (TV Voivodina in Serbia) or national channels (TV RTS in Serbia) have also shown it several times. Spot in English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish, and Slovenian Related subject: a guide to safer night life

Poland, 23-27 June

Nouveau programme de formation : le séminaire de qualification
Le Bureau national polonais de prévention des drogues a invité des responsables nationaux chargés des politiques de drogues de 28 pays à participer à la seconde phase de ce programme de formation. Les participants ont débattu de la pertinence des contributions faites dans le cadre de leur travail individuel autour de 8 thèmes: conceptualisation et mise à jour de la politique des drogues, politique de la recherche dans le domaine des drogues, prévention, réduction de l’offre, traitement et réhabilitation, formation du personnel, coopération entre les différents secteurs et acteurs ainsi que bonne gouvernance de la politique des drogues. La première phase du programme avait permis l’identification des besoins des autorités nationales. Sur la base des résultats de ce projet pilote, le programme de travail 2011-2014 du Groupe Pompidou sera développé.

"Filling the gap", un projet du centre d'addiction Skoun au Liban

Le centre qui, par son offre de services de réduction des dommages, de soins en ambulatoire et de thérapie de substitution aux opiacés, joue un rôle de pionnier au Liban, vient de lancer ce projet visant à répondre aux besoins en matière de soins et aux centres de prise en charge thérapeutique. A travers ce projet, financé par MedNET, l'objectif du centre est d'observer le système judiciaire et le processus d'assignation à soins en Europe, de mener une évaluation des besoins au niveau national au Liban et finalement de proposer des amendements à la législation sur l'addiction. En juin, une équipe de professionnels libanais spécialisés en toxicomanie a ainsi participé à une visite d'études en France.

Paris, 14 June

Participation de l'Egypte au réseau MedNET
L'Egypte, qui vient de rejoindre le réseau, a participé pour la première fois à une réunion MedNet à Paris le 14 juin. Avec l'arrivée de la Jordanie et de Chypre, le réseau de coopération en Méditerranée couvre désormais douze pays. La première activité pour l'Egypte sera l'organisation d'une visite d'étude au Royaume-Uni afin d'observer le fonctionnement du système judiciaire et le processus d'admission au traitement. Cette visite devrait se dérouler à l'automne et serait un premier pas pour répondre aux besoins en matière de traitement des usagers de drogues en Egypte.

Strasbourg, 21-22 May

Prix européen de prévention des drogues 2010: sélection des meilleurs projets
Le jury s'est réuni les 21 et 22 juin 2010 à Strasbourg, afin d'évaluer les 80 projets de 25 pays d’Europe qui ont soumis leur candidature. Parmi ces projets, les jeunes jurés ont sélectionné les trois projets lauréats qu’ils ont estimé être les plus innovants en termes de contenu, niveau d’implication et participation des jeunes dans le projet et d’efficacité en matière de prévention des toxicomanies. En outre, ils ont désigné également onze projets qu'ils ne primeront pas mais qui auront retenu leur attention. Les résultats de cette sélection seront divulgués lors d'une cérémonie de remise des prix qui se tiendra le 3 novembre 2010 à Strasbourg à l'occasion de la conférence ministérielle du Groupe Pompidou.
De plus amples information sont disponibles sur le site du Prix de la prévention

Algeria, 12-13 and 26-27 May, 29-30 September, 20-21 October

MedNET network: Regional seminars on law enforcement in Algeria
In the framework of the implementation of drugs legislation, the Algerian authorities are organising a series of four regional seminars. Their goal is to improve the knowledge of staff in charge of law enforcement, to ensure the consistency in the implementation of the law by all participants, to reinforce collaboration and the follow up between the parties involved. The law of 2004, related to prevention and the crack down on the use and illicit trafficking of drugs and psychoactive substances, notably allows the medical expertise of illicit drug users, therapeutic injunction and the abandonment of legal proceedings against persons who submit to medical care. Seminar dates : 12-13 May in Oran (west), 26-27 May in Sétif (east), 29-30 September in Blida (centre) and 20-21 October in Adrar (south).

Amman, 19-20 May

Jordan next state to join the cooperation network in the Mediterranean region (MedNET)
Following the agreements undertaken with Jordan during the MedNET high level conference on 1 December 2009, a study visit will take place 1n May. Meetings at the Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education, treatment centres and NGOs will allow to establish the possibilities of cooperation between Jordan and the MedNET network, in particular, the organisation of a regional seminar in September.

Warsaw, 13-15 May

The Pompidou Group to launch a new Training Initiative for 2010
This new Initiative will offer training in support of drug policy management. The main objective is to facilitate know-how and build capacities for more effective policy implementation, management and evaluation. The first pilot course in May in Warsaw will address some 30 managers from governmental institutions responsible for developing and implementing drug policies or coordinating programme implementation and service delivery. Based on the result of this pilot project, training activities for the PG new Work Programme 2011-2014 will be developed.

Strasbourg, 10-12 May

International conference on treatment of stimulants use
The conference will take place on 10-12 May in Strasbourg. It will consider such topics as: epidemiology of stimulants abuse, national experience of treatment, training of professionals and international cooperation. It is expected to be attended by over 100 policy makers, experts in treatment, representatives of NGOs from over 20 countries of Europe.

Programme

Prague, 30-31 March

Evaluation of Prevention activities
The meeting of 30-31 March in Prague was effective in identifying barriers and limitations in drug prevention evaluation. It came to the conclusion that drug prevention requires a comprehensive and long-term view, that more synergy is needed in implementing and evaluating drug prevention prevention - for example, with other social problems and risky behaviour and that international t ransferability of prevention activities can be useful. During the following Prevention Platform meeting discussions focused on a planned publication on good practices in evaluation as well as a handbook on practical examples of organising prevention work in the recreational settings and in resort towns.

Report

Chisinau, 31 March

Evaluation policies of Prevention activities A Pompidou Group delegation meets with the Minister of Internal Affairs of Moldova
Stressing that the country is not only a transit but also a manufacturing area for drugs, Victor Catan underlined that Moldova is interested in a fruitful international collaboration and available to participate in programs to combat trafficking although it is is not yet part of the Group. It was thus invited to participate in the November 2010 Pompidou Group ministerial conference and to the Conference on chemicals in September as well as to send representatives from police and customs to the next airport group meetings.

Brussels, 13 April

International Seminar on Working Towards a Holistic Policy Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Misuse in Europe
This Seminar will provide an 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 drug policies through a holistic, multi-level and cross-border approach in Europe. Speakers include Patrick Penninckx, Executive Secretary of the Pompidou Group.

Algiers, 5-7 April

Algeria pursues the fight against diversion of chemical precursors
What are the most currently used chemical precursors in the illicit manufacture of drugs? How are they used and what measures of control do they undergo? In order to reply to such questions, an information and awareness seminar on drug chemical precursors organised by the the ONLCDT in collaboration with the MedNET network will bring together 250 representatives from the police, customs, gendarmerie and chemical industry.

Strasbourg, 26 March

Drugged driving can kill: a new Pompidou Group television spot
The Group has just launched a dramatic 30-second television spot on a young woman in hospital after a drug-induced car accident. Many accidents and deaths on European roads are caused by drivers whose performance is impaired by psychoactive substances. The Pompidou Group invites broadcasters to air spot to call attention to a problem of growing concern. The launching of the spot marks 30th anniversary of the Pompidou Group at the Council of Europe.

Spot in German, English, French, Italian, Russian. polish

Cairo, 22-25 March

The network on cooperation in the mediterranean extends to Egypt
The MedNET network is organising with the Secretariat General for Mental Health in Egypt and the UNODC Regional Office, in Cairo on 22-25 March, a Seminar on drug addiction treatment approaches and treatment demand indicator. It is the first event held by MedNET in Egypt. It will bring together around 80 participants : psychiatrists, nurses and social workers from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco. Its objective is to share the experience of Europe with drug addiction treatment approaches and discuss the relevance of setting up an information monitoring system based on treatment demand.

Rabat, 22 February

Morocco is willing to join European States in their fight against drugs
Morocco has today officially asked for full membership of the Pompidou Group during a Seminar on Perspectives for co-operation between Morocco and the Council of Europe. This request has now to be examined by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. Morocco could thus become the 36th member State of the Pompidou Group, in November 2010, during its Ministerial Conference.

EXASS Net document on drug user involvement now available

User involvement is a crucial aspect in policy development and service delivery. The 6th EXASS Net meeting in Amsterdam explored ways of user involvement and empowerment. In the field of drug policies target group and user involvement is mainly organised at three levels: Supporting of self-organisation for drug users, promotion of involving drug users in services and integration of users in local partnerships responding to the issue of drugs.
Download the document

Gdansk, 19 January
Co-operation between international organisations The 4th meeting of the Inter-agency Group took place in Gdansk on 19 January 2010. Convened once a year by the Polish Presidency of the Pompidou Group, representatives of the Pompidou Group, EMCDDA, EU Presidency Troika, EU Commission, WHO and UNODC meet for an informal consultation on cooperation and programme coordination.