New measures to tackle drug-trafficking and help protect Europe’s health and security

Drug trafficking is a global criminal business that is undermining health and security in Europe. Criminal networks that sell illicit drugs such as cocaine and synthetic drugs drive violence and corruption in our streets. Drug abuse, particularly among the young, poses an increasing problem. The European Commission has responded to this challenge with a new drugs strategy and action plan to stop the traffic of narcotics into the EU. 

Drug traffickers change their trafficking routes frequently and increasingly operate online. The strategy will tackle this behaviour by focusing on 5 key areas: 

•  Enhancing preparedness and response to drug related threats
• Protecting public health, by strengthening prevention, treatment and reintegration measures
• Strengthening security, with stricter rules against organised crime
• Measures to prevent drug-related harm focused on protecting young people from recruitment into organised crime  
• Stronger partnerships with non-EU countries  

The EU Drugs Agency with its new, stronger mandate, will play a key role in supporting EU countries in these proposed areas of action. 

The strategy is complemented by an action plan that will focus on: 

• Adapting to evolving routes and methods used by criminal networks
• Preventing crime and reduce drug-related violence, particularly among young people
• Stepping up cooperation of law enforcement, judiciary and customs authorities
• Addressing the challenge of synthetic drugs and drug precursors (chemicals used to manufacture narcotics)
• Advancing research and development and innovation  
• Strengthening international cooperation and further reinforcing partnerships with key countries. 

The European Commission has also proposed new rules to make the monitoring and controlling of drug precursors and designer precursors clearer and simpler. Proposed new measures include real-time reporting of significant seizures of drug precursors and a ban on designer precursors. 

For more information 

Factsheet 
EU Drugs Strategy - Migration and Home Affairs - European Commission 
EU Action Plan against drug trafficking - Migration and Home Affairs 
Press release: Commission presents new EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan against drug trafficking to protect citizens and disrupt criminal networks