MedNET country correspondents met in Cyprus for their annual 2022 meeting hosted by Cyprus National Addictions Authority (NAAC) which holds MedNET Presidency for 2022 and 2023. After almost 3 years of forced discussion on line because of the sanitary situation, the network proved once again that it is strong and sustainable enough to go through the adverse times.

The review of the work accomplished in 2022 was impressive in terms of training and education and progress in treatment and care and the new activities proposed by the countries do demonstrate the usefulness and impact of this unique cooperation mechanism in the Mediterranean Region.

A new project on Criminal Justice and Health in Prisons was launched and was accompanied by a field visit of the Nicosia Prison (“Utopia Prison” as described in a well-known TV program), which is widely considered as an example of best practice with regard to Council of Europe standards.

The meeting also allowed an in depth discussion on the very topic of Human Rights to take place on the basis of an overview of the situation in the 18 MedNET member countries which will be the subject of a publication to be available for PG next Ministerial Conference in December