The Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) is a leading multilateral platform for intergovernmental co-operation, fostering open dialogue and the exchange of good practices. It maintains a balanced approach between demand reduction—including prevention, treatment, and harm reduction—and supply reduction, by promoting human rights-based and evidence-driven policy development.

 Our mission

The Pompidou Group upholds the core values of the Council of Europe – human rights, democracy and the rule of law – and seeks to balance the interests of the community at large with protection of the individual’s fundamental rights in responding to drug use and illicit trafficking in drugs.

 Our approach

Only through a balanced, multifaceted approach can the potential benefits of different strands of drug policy be fully realised. Drug policy has to be innovative and evidence based. It needs to include research, prevention, harm reduction, treatment and law enforcement. Operating on these principles, the Pompidou Group provides knowledge, support and guidance for effective and humane drug policies by linking policy, practice and research.

 Our members

The Group currently consists of 41 member States, and co-operates with countries all over the world. The Pompidou Group is an Enlarged Partial Agreement that is also open to non-Council of Europe States, including States outside Europe.

 Our partners

The Pompidou Group actively seeks co-operation with other European and international organisations and agencies to increase synergies and joint action.

 Our history

The brainchild of the late former French President Georges Pompidou, the Pompidou Group was formed in 1971 in an effort to better understand and tackle the growing drug problems in Europe. In 1980 the Group was incorporated into the institutional framework of the Council of Europe as an inter-governmental body.