During the 23rd MedNET meeting, Laura D’ Arrigo, Diplomatic Advisor at the French Interministerial Mission for combating drugs and addictive behaviors (MILDECA) handed over the MedNET chair to Hon. Lorenzo FONTANA, Minister for Family and Disability with mandate for Anti-Drug Policies. Both countries recognize the work accomplished by MedNET, a network for discussion and sharing of knowledge on addictive behaviors, in agreement with the values of the Council of Europe and through which co-operation in the Mediterranean Region has been enhanced. Concrete outcomes are the setting up of national drug observatories as a step towards the development of national strategies, the MedSPAD surveys in schools with the subsequent prevention actions and the addictology courses in medicine faculties to train the medical staff to take care of the drug users in a growing number of treatment centers.

The Italian Chair, supported by the Tunisian Vice Presidency, through the Department for Anti-Drug Policies represented by Counsellor Maria Contento, will pursue the work undertaken over the years by France and the other 14 MedNET countries in order to promote co-operation, exchange and mutual transfer of knowledge among the countries of the Mediterranean basin.