EU Drugs Action Plan: Guidelines and standards

EU Action Plan Objective 8 “ enhance the quality and effectiveness of drug demand reduction activities ..” Action 19 “ develop an EU consensus on minimum quality standards and benchmarks for prevention, treatment, harm reduction and rehabilitation interventions and services” > 2012 COM proposal on EU consensus

To support this …. Study on the Development of an EU Framework for Minimum quality standards and benchmarks in drug demand reduction (EQUS) DG JLS 2010/DPIP/PR/1023

The EQUS project: Scope Inventory of existing (minimum) quality standards and benchmarks at national, EU and – when relevant – international level Design for a realistic, feasible and scientifically robust framework for EU minimum quality standards A framework for an effective consultation- and advisory mechanism necessary for consensus building

The EQUS project: Tasks Establish an expert group Review existing quality standards (and benchmarks) Propose and help set up a consultation and consensus building mechanism for relevant stakeholders Develop a design for a framework of quality standards and develop options and suggestions Discuss this during two expert seminars to be organised in cooperation with COM Provide working documents and proposal for options

The EQUS project: Further aspects Timeline: May 2010 - June 2011 Involve selected national stakeholders including NGOs European “consensus-building” conference planned for June 2011 (Hungarian presidency)

The EQUS project: Kick-off 4.5. in Lisbon Steering group Contractor: Ambros Uchtenhagen, Michael Schaub Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, affiliated Zurich University COM/JLS: Maurice Galla, Caroline Hager COM/SANCO Wilfried Kamphausen EMCDDA: Roland Simon, Marica Ferri ScC Member

The EQUS project: Kick-off 4.5. in Lisbon Some points EU consensus on minimum quality standards must be concrete, simple, user-friendly and effective List of recommended minimum quality standards from which the MS could choose according to needs Cost aspects will also be addressed Self help programmes included when proven effective

The EQUS project: Link with EMCDDA Help EMCDDA monitoring quality in drug demand reduction. EMCDDA has adjusted its own work programme in view of the forthcoming project outcomes. EMCDDA will contribute to the project: inputs from best practice portal, guidelines project etc. Project findings and conclusions will be uploaded onto best practice portal presented at the next REITOX meeting on 26-28 May 2010

The EQUS project: Action points Present project at the next REITOX meeting on 26-28 May 2010 Scientific Committee: Ask for collaboration with the Steering Group