As a representative from the Norwegian authorities and director general of the norwegian Directorate for Health and Social Affairs it is my pleasure and privilege to participate in the opening session of this important conference.
At the same time I will also take the opportunity to wish you welcome to Norway.

Drug abuse represents one of the most challenging and serious problems within the health and social services in Europe today. Europe is a central arena for drug trafficking, distribution and consumption of illegal drugs. A large number of citizens are affected by this problem; the drug addicts themselves, their families and friends. Overdoses and early death is part of this picture. Many become victims of drug related crime.

Norway is no exeption. Destroyed lives, overdoses and serious health problems are also part of the Norwegian experience. Norway appreciate the work executed by ECAD, and we are very pleased that Norway and our Capital Oslo was chosen to host the 12th Mayors conference.

The theme of the conference is the narcotics industry and its victims- a restrictive policy combined with humane care provision. The last sentence is indeed an appropiate description of the Norwegian policy.
Traditionally Norway has had and has a very restrictive drug policy, including prohibition of narcotics and strict regulations and control concerning distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages. By social consideration the restrictive policy have resulted in less alcohol consumption than in many other countries.
On the other hand, the consequences for those who are affected by substance abuse are often very large.

Increasing availability of illicit drugs on Norwegian markets is a matter of great concern. The number of hard core injecting drug abusers has increased conciderably. The number of death caused by heroin overdoses are disproportionate. The increased number of drug addicts in need of medical and social care has challenged the drug policy.
In general, and in addition to the traditional social services, treatment and rehabilitation programmes, more focus is given to providing care. Medical assisted rehabilitation has increased considerably.
Norwegian drug policy has gradually expanded on harm-reduction measures such as street-nursing, low-treshold care and health services.

Norwegian authorities intend to maintain our restrictive policies and strengthen the police and custom efforts and their cooperation against import and distribution of illegal drugs. This includes effective policy instruments against money launderinig and systematical observation of drug-related crime.
Worth noting is that a large majority of Norwegian youth still opposes any use of illicit drugs. In the population at large there is almost unanimous support for a restrictive drug abuse control policy.

This is, however, not sufficient. Efforts to protect and reduce the number of people experimenting and starting druguse are also required. We therefore emphasize information and selective prevention.
Local community-based prevention, reduced access on all kinds of drugs and alcohol for youth under 18 years and early intervention in schools and working life are important goals and policy instruments.
Important when working with problem drug and alcohol users is early intervention. Children and youth at risk in vulnerable situatons, and their relatives, will be given even more priority in the coming years.
We also intend to develop better services for people at risk and risk groups such as, for example, pregnant drug and alcohol users, drug addicts with babies and small children, dysfunctional families and families with drug and alcohol problems.

International cooperation is considered one of the main pillars of our drug policy. Beeing a major donor to UNODC and member of the Council of Europe`s Pompidou Group, Norway emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and exchange of experiences.

European Cities Against Drugs play an important role in this sharing of ideas and it is a great pleasure to expresss my warmest wishes for a sucsessful conference.

 
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