20-24 July 2005
Swedish top rider gives a promising example in San Patrignano

From left to right: Giacomo Muccioli, Jumping Organising Committee President, Tomas Hallberg, ECAD, Åke Setréus, ECAD, Christer Karlsson, KRIS		FEI European Jumping Championship (EJC) held on 20-24 July was organised by San Patrignano, which is one of the biggest international rehabilitation centres for drug addicts, might become a trend-setter for significant sport events in the future. For the first time a sports competition of such scale and dignity was arranged by former drug addicts. It was also for the first time that former drug addicts had an opportunity to convey a drug policy message. ECAD was present there to promote its name as a partner and to contribute with its knowledge about European anti-drug policy.
ECAD contacted Swedish top female rider, Malin Baryard, before the event to ask her to lend her name for the Championship. The Italian organisers did not make a secret of the fact that she was among the most wanted guests there. A young female horse rider with a fantastic beaming smile, who has recently become a mother – who could be more attractive? “ I gladly accept this offer”, - announced Malin Baryard. “All children have the right to grow up in the drug-free atmosphere. I was lucky enough not to see drugs in my childhood. Drugs were hardly even mentioned at that time. I have nothing against becoming a role model. I am already one, no matter if I want it or not. So in this case it is better to be a good model.” We, people who work against drugs, might be too careful when asking a role model if he/she wants to participate in the event of this grade. There are so many strong personalities who would love to get into this position if we simply asked... A representative of the International Championship organisers in Germany next year listened very attentively about the cooperation between ECAD and San Patrignano centre before the EJC. He was interested in the possibility to link sports with a message to society. Social sponsoring could probably be one of the ways to attract more cities to get involved in the organisation of various big events. Working in positive environment to change the common view on drugs in society can bring some lucrative results in the long term for the organising cities. So how did the Championship end? The Centre had its own horse in the competition, but it did not get any of the prizes. However, the audience marked a special victory of the equipage with extensive ovations for just taking part in the competition. Butterfly Flip, the horse of Malin Baryard got infected during the competition and refused to join in. Heavy rain showers went on for several hours during two days or the Championship, but the event was still very much appreciated by the participants, the public and the press. ECAD had a chance to show itself acting in a different environment. Common interest to our exhibition was remarkable and we should be satisfied with all the attention we were given by the massmedia all over Europe. (Even a Japanese newspaper wrote an article about Malin Baryard, ECAD and San Patrignano). Some facts about San Patrignano: Collective treatment Centre for drug addicts, most of them heroin-addicts. About 1800 persons live in three places near the city of Rimini in Italy. Around 70 % are still drug-free after 2 years of treatment “graduation”. San Patrignano does not accept money from the state and it is impossible to get a place in the centre for a payment. 60% of all expenses are covered by their production and the rest comes from private donations.

4 May 2005, Press Release
Malin Baryard – San Patrignano 2005’s New Spokesperson

Malin Baryard and Tomas Hallberg, Director ECAD Photo © Maria Söderberg		Malin Baryard, Sweden’s top female rider, will be lending her name and image in order to help promote this year’s FEI European Jumping Championship, scheduled to be held at San Patrignano (Rimini, Italy) next July 21st through 24th. She was enthusiastic at the idea from the start, in view of the partnership between Europe’s largest drug rehabilitation community and ECAD (European Cities Against Drugs), an organization which gathers more than 250 member cities (22 of which capitals) in 30 European nations. Giacomo Muccioli, president of the event’s organizational committee, expressed his pleasure upon hearing of the collaboration, “This Championship is truly a unique opportunity. For the first time, the event will be completely organized by the young men and women of a drug rehabilitation community. They are living proof that it is possible to overcome addiction. And the presence of someone as important as Malin Baryard is extremely important in order that we may further spread our strong message against drugs throughout Europe.”
Malin is thirty years old and the proud mother of a two-month old baby boy named Alvar. In her home country of Sweden she is a celebrity, hosting a weekly show about horses on the nation’s largest network. In addition, she is often asked to pose as a model for her sponsor, H&M, a well-known clothing chain based in Northern Europe. She is already the winner of two important medals: team silver from the 2000 World Championships at Jerez and an Olympic team bronze from the Athens games. Malin, who is one of show jumping’s most well-known faces, wholeheartedly supports the social and cultural message behind this year’s Championship. With the full force of her convictions, she stands behind the strong anti-drug message sent by the event throughout the world. “I think it’s great that the Championship is being held at San Patrignano- for us athletes, for the public, and for the young people of the community. This way, they have a chance to be involved in an important event and to show what they are capable of.” Malin has always expressed an interest in social problems-especially when speaking about young people, and the volunteer organization which deal with their problems. She is wholly conscious of her role as a model for young people, being a star athlete. Malin is aware that all athletes must give an example in their behavior on and off the field. “To be an athlete at a higher level, you are a role model. It’s nothing you chose, it’s nothing you can take away, you are a role model, and you should be happy to be it. The point of life is surely not to win competitions, but I love winning. I am a role model as a person riding horses and being active and treating my horses well and all this, but I think an athlete is a role model, anytime. You just have to be sure you do a good job. “ This is why Malin agreed to pose for a photo shoot and conduct an interview on her farm in Norrkoping, where she is preparing for the European Championship, in order to help promote one of the projects which San Patrignano is undertaking in view of next summer’s competition: the collaboration between San Patrignano and ECAD. The project aims to spread a message of solidarity throughout Europe, and, through the realization of the Championship by the young people of San Patrignano, to show that it is possible to overcome addiction. Malin does not hesitate to express her fears in regards to this very serious social problem. “I think it’s very scary when you hear how much drugs there is. Especially how much younger it goes. You have the possibility of getting drugs from anywhere now. It’s really something that needs to be worked on, to get rid of.” So it seems that Sweden’s top rider is more than happy if an event such as this one can be helpful on a social level. All of this without forgetting (as she says) that horses and sport, equitation have given meaning to her life. In other words, the perfect antidote to social marginalization. The interview and photo session with Malin Baryard are available on www.sanpatrignano2005.org San Patrignano Press Office Tel +0541 362111 e-mail pressoffice@sanpatrignano.org Click here to read more about this event!

10 April 2005, London, UK
San Patrignano 2005: equestrian sport and solidarity a winning combination

		Press release The 2005 European Jumping Championship which will be held in the equestrian facilities of the San Patrignano community (Rimini - Italy), from 21 to 24 July were presented this morning in conjunction with the FEI General Assembly taking place in London. San Patrignano is the largest rehabilitation centre from drug addiction in Europe and in 26 years of its activity have welcomed and reinserted in the society in a drug free condition over 20.000 people. Giacomo Muccioli, President of the Organising Committee of the event and Cesare Croce,
President of the Italian National Equestrian Federation highlighted the important support and patronages obtained by next July’s Championships such as the one of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); the Regional United Nations Information Centre (RUNIC); the United Nations International Year of Sport and Physical Education; and of the European Cities Against Drugs (ECAD). The strong involvement in the project of the FEI was underlined by the significant presence of the 1st Vice President Freddy Serpieri, who in his address focussed on the unique opportunity that the world equestrian community is given by this Championship to contribute to spread the social message of San Patrignano. The Chairman of ECAD, Jim Corr, explained the importance of this event which will be the first ever top sport event to be entirely organised and hosted by a community for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. “When ECAD speaks of drug free Europe there are many who call it a utopia. If I had told you fifteen years ago that the Championships will be organised by former drug addicts in a treatment centre you would all have called it a utopia”. The importance of the horses within San Patrignano was stressed even more with the announce of the strong cooperation with UNIRE (National Union for the Increment of Horse Breeds) which has chosen to fully support the Championships’ project that is strongly orientated not only to the sport but also to the promotion of horse breeding in Italy. San Patrignano also represents one of the largest and most recognised studs in the country. During the conference it was also presented the ad starred by the top riders Ludger Beerbaum, Markus Fuchs, Ludo Philippaerts and Jerry Smit to promote the social meaning of the event. The ad is the result of another important partnership between the community and the International Jumping Riders Club. San Patrignano 2005 Press Office Click here to read more about this event!

1-2 March 2005, Brussels
International Dimensions for European Drug Policy

Conference at the European Parliament		This ground-breaking event was held at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium for approximately 130 delegates from throughout the European community. The conference “International Dimensions for European Drug Policy” was organised by European Cities Against Drugs, Institute on Global Drug Policy, International Scientific and Medical Forum on Drug Abuse and supported by Drug Free America Foundation, Drug Prevention Network of the Americas. The conference was hosted by Mrs. Charlotte Cederschiold, MEP from Sweden, Former Vice President of the European Parliament.
Experienced and forward-thinking policy experts explored the global impact of harm reduction on drug policy. The agenda covered current topics such as needle exchange programs, harm reduction from a political standpoint, the Swiss/German experience with heroin programs and the US drug-related prison population, to name a few. Keynote speakers included Herbert Schaepe, former Secretary General of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Morgan Johansson, Minister of Public Health, Sweden, John Walters, Director of the US Office of National Drug control Policy and other high-level international drug policy experts. Read the addresses and handouts here! (“Conference papers”)

4 March 2005, Stockholm
Co-operation agreement between ECAD and Veliky Novgorod

Anatoly Fadeev, Olga Vasileva, Åke Setréus
Representatives for ECAD, Ass director Åke Setréus, ECAD office in Veliky Novgorod (Russia), Olga Vasileva and V. Novgorod's non-governmental organisation "Grani" signing co-operation agreement. ECAD office in V. Novgorod facilitates co-operation between the municipality, authorities and non-governmental organisations in the field of drug prevention and rehabilitation. V. Novgorod is an active member of ECAD.

3-5 February 2005, San Patrignano, Italy
ECAD Advisory Board meeting

Winter in San Patrignano...		The ECAD Advisory Board held its spring meeting on 3-5 February in San Patrignano, Italy. San Patrignano, home to 1.800 former drug addicts, is the largest European community for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and is completely drug free. Among the items on the agenda was ECAD’s budget for 2005, which was agreed by the Board. A proposal from Reykjavik for a drug prevention program for youth in Europe was discussed in depth.
The outline of the project is that a selection of ECAD member cities shall conduct a four year program among young people aged 15-16 to reduce the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. The program will be evidence based with a strong element of international comparison, and shall be scientifically evaluated. The final proposal will be presented at the Plenary session at the ECAD Mayors’ conference in Oslo on May 27th. Furthermore the Advisory Board accepted the offer for ECAD to appear as co-promoter for the FEI European Jumping Championship, an international horse show in San Patrignano on 21-24 July. Under the heading ”European Cities and San Patrignano: Overcoming Obstacles”, ECAD’s and San Patrignano’s message against the use of any and all drugs throughout Europe will meet the expected 5000 spectators as well as the media coverage of the event. Detailed information about the FEI European Jumping Championship see here!

31 January 2005
Oslo opens drug injection rooms

		After a long process, the City of Oslo has opened the first municipal drug injection room in Scandinavia. January 31st is a watershed in Norwegian drug policy, marking an obvious breach against UN Conventions on drugs. United Nations’ drug control organ INCB has time after time called attention to the fact that introduction of injection rooms for drug addicts plays in the hands of the international drug traffickers. The international drug conventions came about many decades ago specifically in order to eliminate places like opium dens, where drugs could be abused without penalty.
Debates about drug injection rooms have been going on for more than five years in Norway. Every possible argument for and against has been aired, and those advocating for injection rooms won the last round. All countries which have signed the UN Drug Convention of 1988 thereby agreed to introduce prohibition against possession of drugs in their penal codes. By opening drug injection rooms, a government can be held responsible for breaking an international agreement by facilitating the crimes of possession and consumption of drugs as well as of drug trafficking. Oslo has been a very active member of ECAD since the very beginning. ECAD was founded as a reaction against, above all, Dutch and German cities’ policies for legalising drugs and introducing injection rooms. It is therefore surprising, to say the least, that Oslo now chooses the opposite standpoint. In historical perspective we have seen governmental and municipal programs which contain similar modes of reasoning to those of Oslo’s. USA’s first maintenance program, opium to opium addicts, started in the Philippines in 1903. The first drug clinics in USA were opened in 1912, and operated for 13 years before the last of them was closed. These completely failed experiments returned first 25 years later, and then the substance was called methadone. History has shown us that administration of drug abuse instead of combating it does not work in the long run. A Norwegian evaluation (NAD publication 41) shows that Norway has 3-4 times more heroin addicts per inhabitant than Sweden. This might call for establishing a Norwegian expert commission to compare the effects of drug policies between these two neighbouring countries. The Norwegian experiment is conducted by support of a new law which remains in force for 3 years.

December 2004
Norwegian Cities Against Drugs –
the Norwegian network of ECAD member cities

Bergen, photo visitbergen.com		In December 2004 Norwegian members of ECAD met for a day seminar, where questions of municipality based prevention programs have been discussed. The Norwegian network consists of the seven largest Norwegian municipalities with the city of Bergen leading the network for 2005.
The participants agreed that, in the light of the recent studies in the drug field, an increased focus on early drug prevention and better living standards for active drug users should make the basis for comprehensive approach to the drug problem on a local level. For a municipality this means prioritising measures to counteract recruitment of young people to the use of illicit drugs, on the one hand. On the other hand, in co-operation with voluntary organisations, to increase the number and quality of drug users-oriented services in such areas as health care, living, employment, daily activities. Larger municipalities are posed with a special challenge. Competence development and co-operation between all parties is of dire importance. The larger the municipality is, the more efficient co-operation between different departments within the municipality is essential. Specialised services such as psychiatry need to be efficiently co-operating. All of this constitutes the main directions of activities for the members of the ECAD network in Norway. Besides that, the network’s task is to develop a common approach to central authorities. The state, say the participants in a declaration adopted at the seminar, has a lesser focus on long-term measures. Municipalities would like to draw attention of the central authorities to long term prevention. This can lead to a more offensive approach on local level, where the every day work with prevention and after care actually takes place. Latest data shows that the drug problem costs the Norwegian society about 2 billion Euros per year. Effective municipal measures leading to rehabilitation and improved standards of living for drug users will make for a better society for every one.

November 8, 2004
European Union Action Plan on Drugs 2005 - 2008

		The Commission has launched a communication on the EU action plan on drugs 2005 - 2008. The action plan will be based on the EU Drug Strategy 2005 - 2012, which is currently under discussion in the EU Council of ministers. The strategy will provide a political framework on drug related action and set the aims and priorities for EU drug policies. The purpose of the Action Plan is to turn the Strategy into concrete, measurable actions for achieving these aims Below please find ECAD views on priorities and actions to be amended and/or included in the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2005 – 2008 1. In Cordrogue 53 it is stated (p.1), “ It [the new drugs strategy] aims to protect and improve the well-being of society and of the individual, to offer a high level of security for the general public and to take a balanced, integrated approach to the drugs problem.” a. Whilst referring to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS) 1998 (p.2), stating that UNGASS “confirmed the
importance of the integrated and balanced approach, in which supply reduction and demand reduction are mutually reinforcing elements in drugs policy”, we find it strange that only paragraph 2 of the UNGASS Political Declaration is quoted, where the States Members of the United Nations “recognize that action against the world drug problem is a common and shared responsibility requiring an integrated and balanced approach…” (UNGASS Political Declaration paragraph 2), and at the same time an extremely important paragraph of the same document is omitted. b. Paragraph 19 of the UNGASS Political Declaration states that [We the States Members of the United Nations] “Welcome the global approach by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme to the elimination of illicit crops and commit ourselves to working closely with the Programme to develop strategies with a view to eliminating or reducing significantly the illicit cultivation of the coca bush, the cannabis plant and the opium poppy by the year 2008. We affirm our determination to mobilize international support for our efforts to achieve these goals.” The future drugs strategy should refer to this commitment unanimously agreed upon at UNGASS in 1998. 2. In Cordrogue 53 it is stated (p.2) that “The Strategy bears in mind the relevant international conventions. The UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971) and the Convention against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988) are major legal instruments for controlling the availability of narcotic drugs.” a. This is true, however the drugs strategy should also contain reference to Article 33 of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, which puts specific stress on the importance to protect children from the use of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances. Article 33 of the Conventions on the Rights of the Child reads, “States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative, social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as defined in the relevant international treaties, and to prevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances.” 3. ECAD notes that “The Strategy is also intended to allow scope for local, regional, national and transnational dynamics and potentialities. Account is also taken of the organisational and financial constraints of Member States and EU institutions.” a. This clearly indicates that there will not necessarily be a common EU drugs policy, leaving it up to Member States to engage in “local, regional, national and transnational dynamics and potentialities.” The use of the wording ‘transnational dynamics and potentialities’ should be omitted and substituted for by something more specific as ‘transnational dynamics and potentialities’ could mean anything appealing in the eye of the beholder. 4. The Council has identified two general aims with regard to drugs (pp. 2-3) – 1.To contribute “to the attainment of a high level of health protection, well-being and social cohesion by complementing the Member States’ action in reducing drug-related health damage, including information and prevention”, and 2. “To ensure a high level of security for the general public by taking action against large-scale production, cross-border trafficking in drugs and diversion of precursors, and by intensifying preventive action against drug-related crime, through effective cooperation embedded in a joint approach.” a. The two general aims mentioned above lack two important items that should be added. 1. To contribute to the attainment of a high level of health protection, well- being and social cohesion, the Drugs Strategy should make it clear that the EU also aims at fighting personal use of drugs as part of efforts to achieve the above objectives. 2. Furthermore, to ensure a high level of security for the general public there is not only need for action against large-scale drugs production, cross-border trafficking in drugs and diversion of precursors and preventive action against drug-related crime, but also need for effective cooperation in a joint approach to fight small-scale production and dealing of drugs on street level. 5. ECAD notes with satisfaction that a balanced approach to the drugs problem requires adequate consultation of the relevant NGOs. Being Europe’s largest organisation in favour of a drug free society rather than a free drug society, ECAD is looking forward to being intensely involved in drawing up action plans for consideration by the Council for the 2005-2007 and 2009-2011 periods. 6. ECAD notes with satisfaction that actions at EU level must state intended results in advance and that actions must offer clear added value and that their results must be measurable and realistic. 7. Even if the Strategy also is intended to allow scope for local, regional and national actions, ECAD notes with satisfaction the demand to improve the present poor coordination on issues where coordination, without creating new institutions, is of great importance, e.g. international cooperation. 8. As pointed out in Cordrogue 53 (p.6), prevention is to be preferred to treatment, treatment is to be preferred to harm reduction and harm reduction is to be preferred to doing nothing. a. ECAD notes with worry, an increasing tendency in some Member States to medicalize the drug problem through mass distribution of syringes, methadone and buprenorphine and, even worse, of heroin. Even if account must be taken of the organisational and financial constraints of Member States and EU institutions, it is of utmost importance not only to improve a high level of health protection but also to improve access to good quality schools, a functioning labour market and adequate housing facilities. Young people without education and/or a job combined with poor prospects for the future are definitely running a greater risk of being involved in drugs. It should be kept in mind that societal problems usually result in increasing drug problems in the same way as drug problems usually result in societal problems. b. To avoid confusion, it should be made clear that harm reduction is not the same as prevention. Harm reduction is what you resort to when preventive efforts have failed. 9. In §4 Policy field: supply reduction too much emphasis is put on forms for co-operation rather than the contents. a. The Action Plans targeting supply reduction must be very specific to make it possible to measure whether intended results have been cost-effective and achieved within the stated timeframe. 10. Cross-cutting theme: international cooperation a. As mentioned earlier, the contents of paragraph 19 of the UNGASS Political Declaration and the contents of the 1989 UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, especially article 33 should be included and stressed in the Drugs Strategy if the global nature of the drugs problem is to be taken seriously and if the EU aims to expand its political influence on drug related issues internationally. 11. Cross-cutting theme: information and evaluation a. Information should advocate non-use of illicit drugs. Courses and/or information on alleged ‘safe use’ is snake oil prevention and should be omitted completely as there is no such thing as ‘safe use’ of illicit drugs. Testing of MDMA pills at raves, acceptance of use of smaller amounts of drugs, injection rooms, and mass distribution of syringes to mention a few examples could condone drug use and should therefore be reconsidered as good examples of an integrated and balanced approach to the drug problem. 12. Facing drug production and drug promotion problems within the European Union a. Nowhere has there been any specific mentioning of the importance of fighting drug production within the European Union. The EU Drugs Strategy 2005-2012 provides a historic possibility to start work to close down coffee shops in the Netherlands, to initiate efforts to terminate ecstasy production in the same country as well as drug production in Belgium and Poland to mention a few examples. Recent, successful efforts to destroy sale of cannabis products, totalling an estimated 500 million Danish crowns per annum in Christiania in Copenhagen, could serve as an example for similar efforts in other countries faced with open markets for sale of drugs. Click here to read the "ECAD views" in PDF-format, easy to print out!

14-15 October 2004
ECAD network in Sweden
Conference in Uppsala

Participants of the ECAD Sweden Conference
The Fourth conference for the Swedish members of ECAD took place in Uppsala in October. 65 delegates from 20 cities participated in the event. The focus for this year discussion was the anti-drug fieldwork carried out by the host city. Uppsala presented a co-operation project between local authorities, police and infectious disease control department. As a result of the joint efforts, there are less “problem” drug users and addicts with HIV/Hepatitis in the city than in the country in average. Next conference is planned for September 2005 on Gotland. For more information about Uppsala project please contact ECAD representative in Uppsala Jan Dahlman at jan.dahlman@uppsala.se

September 7, 2004
INCB visiting ECAD

INCB visiting ECAD on September 7th, 2004. From right: INCB President Philip O. Emafo, Drug control officer Beate Hammond, ECAD Director Tomas Hallberg, INCB member Madan Mohan Bhatnagar		“There is no risk that INCB becomes drug liberal”, declared its President, Philip O. Emafo while visiting ECAD. “Even if one comes to us with a tolerant attitude, one changes it in the process. Our mission is strictly juridical. There is a legislation that should be protected and its wording to follow. Since we make all decisions in consensus, our decision making process implies long and deep discussions before any decision is being made. Therefore it would be difficult to push through an interpretation that would conflict with the spirit and wording of the UN Conventions on drugs”.
Every year INCB sends a mission to different countries in order to at the place to form an opinion of how the UN Conventions are being followed. It was 12 years ago Sweden received the INCB mission for the last time and much has changed since then. The National Board of Health and Welfare acted as the host for the visit, which included a meeting with the governmental committee “Mobilisation Against Drugs”, visits to the Stockholm’s treatment centre for young addicts “Maria Ungdom” and to the Police. Visit to ECAD was a wish from the INCB. “We are glad to meet you and to get to know more about your work”, explained Philip O. Emafo. “Non-governmental organisations’ input in the fight against drugs is of big importance. We appreciate very much that support to the UN Conventions on drugs that your organisation, among the others, showed by collecting 1.3 million signatures before the 46th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna in 2003. The UN conventions on drugs need all support they can get and we are grateful for the work that ECAD puts into it. Concerning the issue of injecting rooms, the President of the INCB said that “we are firm in our conviction that injection rooms are in violation of the UN Conventions on Drugs. Despite of the fact that we have repeatedly declared our position, rumours emerge that tell about the contrary. The fact that there is an intention to introduce such facilities in Oslo is alarming. It is probable time to visit Norway, the President concludes.

August 23-24,2004
24-hour meeting against drugs in Stockholm

Sergels Torg, Stockholm	Tent action
Kristina Axén Olin, Stockholm	24:00

Cowardice, political blunder and a lack of engagement hinder any solution of the trafficking in drugs on Sergels Torg. This is the opinion of a number of Swedish public organisations that initiated around-the-clock meeting against drugs on Sergels Torg, in the centre of Stockholm, on August 23-24, 2004. The idea behind this initiative is to show that there is an immense knowledge and experience about the drug problem in Sweden since more than 40 years back. But useful knowledge is not fully utilised. Politicians and authorities conceal themselves behind rhetoric such as “the issue is under investigation”, “a research needs to be done” or “we must take a look at this”. There is nothing wrong with research or investigations apart from that in practice this rhetoric become a tool for passivity. Meanwhile the drug abusers increase in number and more of them die prematurely. This meeting shows that everything has already been prepared to start working if one really wanted to make a difference. There is knowledge, legislation, engagement, ideas and experience of what has proved to work. Yet the responsible politicians and the authorities do not seize on this store of knowledge but instead point at each other and excuse themselves. Today's situation on Sergels Torg is a sad example of this failure. More than 50 speakers came and talked during the meeting. Among them were politicians, teachers, parents, doctors, artists, writers, experts, researches, police. There were about 40-50 listeners for each program point during day-time, not to mention all passers-by who stopped by the tent for a few minutes. About 5-10 people were present during each of the presentations in the middle of the night. Among the organisers were Parents Against Drugs (FMN), the temperance movement IOGT-NTO Stockholm, Criminals’ Return Into Society (KRIS), Association for a Drug-Free Society (RNS), European Cities Against Drugs (ECAD) and others. The meeting is to be continued. Ministers for Health and Justice have promised to come and to discuss the drug problem on Sergels Torg with the public September 23, 2004. ”Ministers Against Drugs” – it is not such a bad idea! We shall and will meet again on Sergels Torg!

July 2004
The false rumour about INCB and injecting rooms

The rumour now circulating in Germany and elsewhere telling that the INCB (International Narcotic Control Board of the UN) has changed, or is about to change, its opinion on drug consumption rooms (injecting rooms) is completely false! The INCB stays totally firm in its conviction that drug consumption rooms are “in violation of the international drug conventions” and that they are “in contravention of the international drug control conventions”. (click here to read letter from INCB) According to the rumour some representatives of the INCB, during a visit to Germany, should have uttered positive remarks concerning drug consumption rooms. This has been interpreted so that the INCB has changed its opinion. The rumour has also already reached politicians and officials. So have for example officials from the Ministry of the state of North Rhein Westphalen quoted it. The rumour has gained ground and caused a lot of confusion as well as raised many questions among people active in the drug political field such as: - Has the INCB changed its opinion on drug consumption rooms or is the INCB planning to do so? - Has the INCB any intention to modify the UN Conventions regarding this matter? - Has the INCB taken any actions concerning the existence of injecting rooms in some countries? - What is the INCB´s opinion on “Harm Reduction”? (Under the umbrella of Harm Reduction often called Risk Reduction, including injection rooms, drug politics in several European countries have changed in a more liberal direction, which by many is seen as a way to circumvent the UN conventions on drugs.) A rumour or a myth that is not counter-attacked and stopped tends to live its own life, and quoted often enough becomes a “common adopted truth” also among politicians, journalists and media. In order to stop the rumour it is important to find out how it arose and get the real facts out in public. Some research gave the following result: - In July 2003 representatives from the INCB visited the German city of Essen with about 600 000 inhabitants. The purpose of the visit was to make an inspection of the drug consumption room to discuss the Board´s concern regarding these facilities and their violation of the international treaties. - At a conference in April 2004 of the Health Committee of the German Cities Parliament in Bayreuth the deputy mayor of health affairs of Essen was an invited speaker. In his speech the deputy mayor informed the conference delegates about the visit of INCB to Essen in July 2003. According to him the representatives of INCB had uttered positive remarks during the visit regarding drug consumption rooms and also spoken about a pleasant development. Furthermore the INCB representatives, so the deputy mayor, had talked about a modification of the UN conventions (regarding drug consumption rooms). What was said at this conference in Bayreuth seems to be the main source of the rumour. According to the deputy mayor of Essen, drug consumption rooms have “a therapeutical value” and regarding the city of Duesseldorf (which has no injection room and has a different view on drug policy) he spoke about an “eccentric attitude” – not a very positive remark. The “eccentric attitude” probably refers to that Duesseldorf adheres more to the UN conventions on drugs than many other German cities and the German Government. In order to get a fresh and updated opinion from the INCB as well as answers to the questions mentioned above, I wrote a letter to the INCB. The answer of the INCB Board is the very clarifying letter attached, which leaves no doubt about the stance of the INCB concerning drug consumption rooms! Very worthwhile reading is also the Annual Report 2003 of INCB, for example: * Paragraphs 559-561 where the visit to Essen is described * Paragraphs 223-224 leave no doubts of the opinion of INCB concerning drug injecting rooms. * Paragraphs 217-226 where the INCB makes a clarification of its critical view on “Harm Reduction”. In § 220 can for instance be read: “The Board regretted that discussion on some “harm reduction” measures had diverted the attention (and in some cases, funds) of Governments from important demand reduction activities such as primary prevention or abstinence-oriented treatment”. EU-governments pushing politically for injecting rooms The false rumour about INCB having changed its opinion on drug consumption rooms has to be seen and put in a broader political context. For some years politicians and governments that have allowed the establishment of such facilities (although knowing that they are violating the conventions they have signed) have pushed for and tried to persuade the EU, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and other member states to also adopt the idea of consumption rooms. So did for example the German and some other governments fight very hard and determined in 2002 for this in the negotiations concerning the “Council Recommendation on the prevention and reduction of risks associated with drug dependence” (COM (2002) 201 final). The Recommendation was an initiative of the EU Commission and Commissioner Byrne. It was the first time that article 152, the public health article, was applied and tested in drug related issues. With Germany in the lead some countries tried intensively to get the acknowledgement of drug consumption rooms into the text of the Recommendation and adopted as a by EU recommended risk reduction measure. After months of discussions it was clear that they would not succeed since the majority was against it. If adopted, it would have meant that all (at that time 15 now 25) member states would have adopted a policy opposing the INCB and violating the conventions! This would of course severely have undermined the UN Conventions and the INCB. Knowing that the German government and some others are pushing for injecting rooms the question arises: Is the false rumour about INCB due to a simple misunderstanding or not? The future will tell. Ms MaLou Lindholm Former Member of the European Parliament Member of Drug Watch International Deputy Director HNN International Centre

June 2004
Submission to the European Union’s future drugs policy

With 250 signatory municipalities in 27 countries to the ECAD (European Cities Against Drugs) Stockholm Resolution, ECAD is Europe 's leading organisation promoting a drug free Europe. ECAD represents millions of European citizens who are very concerned about the fact that drug trafficking, drug dealing and drug abuse cause enormous problems in Europe. Nations and their citizens are affected by the consequences of the drug trade, which today poses serious threats to any democratic society due to the enormous amount of money involved in the drug business and, consequently, serious risks for corruption, narco-terrorism and organised crime, including money laundering. ECAD member cities work to develop initiatives and efforts against drug abuse supporting the United Nations Conventions Against Drugs, which oppose legalisation and promote policies to eradicate drug abuse world-wide. Too often we take it for granted that every citizen in our societies - politicians, members of various authorities, including law enforcement agencies - want to prevent use of drugs. However, this is no longer necessarily true. A growing movement in some European countries is now discussing how to reduce drug-related harm or how to manage the risks involved with the use of drugs and some even propose decriminalisation and/or legalisation of certain drugs. A movement with such an agenda is part of the drug problem rather than part of a solution to the drug problem. ECAD believes in and works for a drug-free Europe. Use of cannabis, amphetamines, heroin, cocaine and other narcotic drugs is not a basic part of our culture and the use of such substances must be fought with decisive and comprehensive measures. A number of cities and countries have been successful in their combat against drugs by combining restrictive policies with a wide range of preventive measures and by offering drug abusers various forms of care and treatment. It is indeed possible to introduce changes to reduce the spread of drugs. In doing so, it is most important to actively encourage young people to reject all drugs. ECAD does not believe in making a distinction between so-called 'hard' and 'soft' drugs. All drugs are dangerous. Consequently, the use of cannabis should be opposed with much the same vigour as other drugs. ECAD supports the existing UN Conventions on Drugs, the Political Declaration and the Guiding Principles of Demand Reduction approved at the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs in New York in June 1998, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and urge intensified national and international co-operation to fight drugs. The United Nations should be given power to control flagrant breaches of conventions and international agreements wherever they emerge. If some countries allow drugs to be made freely available, they undermine the possibilities of other countries and cities to curb the spread of drugs. European Cities Against Drugs are In favour of real freedom from drugs, not the manipulative 'freedom' experienced through drugs In favour of societal actions to decrease unemployment, racism and social injustice In favour of abstinence-oriented measures to wean drug users off drugs In favour of developing care and treatment for drug users In favour of pro-active and assertive prevention measures In favour of international co-operation Against legalisation of illicit drugs The present development in some European Union Member States is a cause for concern as distribution of heroin, injection rooms, massive and badly controlled distribution of methadone and buprenorphine, to mention but a few 'initiatives', are labelled 'harm reduction ' measures whereas, as a matter of fact, they should rather be labelled 'harm production' measures. In several of the annual reports from the Vienna-based UN agency INCB (International Narcotics Control Board), the Board has expressed great concern about such measures. In its latest Annual Report, issued March 3 2004, INCB cautions on so-called 'harm reduction' measures in drug control and "calls on Governments which intend to include 'harm reduction' measures into their demand reduction strategy, to carefully analyse the overall impact of such measures. These may sometimes be positive for an individual or for a local community while having far-reaching negative consequences at the national and international levels." The Vienna-based INCB which monitors the implementation of international drug control treaties has already, in previous Annual Reports, clarified its views on a range of 'harm reduction' measures - actions which are taken with the intention of reducing the negative consequences of drug abuse. In its Report for 1993, the Board already "acknowledged the importance of certain aspects of harm reduction as a tertiary prevention strategy for demand reduction programmes." In its Report for 2000, "the Board reiterated that harm reduction programmes could play a part in a comprehensive drug demand reduction strategy. The Board drew attention to the fact that harm reduction programmes could not be considered substitutes for demand reduction programmes." In the 2004 Report, the Board reiterates specific statements and recommendations concerning the following "harm reduction" related measures: Needle/syringe exchange or distribution programmes "Governments need to adopt measures that may decrease the sharing of hypodermic needles among injecting drug abusers in order to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS. At the same time, the Board has been stressing that any prophylactic measures should not promote and/or facilitate drug abuse." Substitution and maintenance treatment The implementation of substitution and maintenance treatments "does not constitute any breach of treaty provisions, whatever substance may be used for such treatment in line with established national sound medical practice." Drug injection rooms (facilities where injecting drug abusers can inject drugs they have acquired illicitly) "The Board has stated on a number of occasions, including its recent Annual Reports, that the operation of such facilities remains a source of grave concern. The Board reiterates that they violate the provisions of the international drug control conventions." "The Board reiterates that article 4 of the 1961 Convention obliges States to ensure that the production, manufacture, import, export, distribution of, trade in, use and possession of drugs is to be limited exclusively to medical and scientific purposes. Therefore, from a legal point of view, such facilities violate the international drug control conventions." Apart from the fact that the present development re trafficking and abuse of drugs pose serious threats to any democratic society, ECAD wants to express grave concern about three issues, 1) The ability of the European Union to deal with the challenges of trafficking and abuse of drugs in connection with the enlargement of the European Union. This concern was shared by the head of the EU drugs agency, Georges Estievenart, who told AFP in an interview in April this year that, "Faced with the real challenge of enlargement, the European Union still only has diffuse, fragmented and weak competences, which are still under-utilised in the absence of sufficient political will." ... "The situation in the bloc is not good. The new members are showing worrying signs of catching up with methods of western consumption. The situation in Russia, in Ukraine and Belarus is explosive", Estievenart said. There is now 6,000 km of new borders delimiting the European Union to the east. Because of the youthful population in the 10 new Members States of the European Union, the countries also appear vulnerable to an influx of synthetic drugs from Western Europe, which accounts for four-fifths of the world production of substances such as Ecstasy. In the Netherlands alone, police dismantled 43 synthetic drug laboratories in 2002. Organised crime respects no borders, and organised crime is developing sophisticated tools, managed by the growing professionalism of mafias and the thinning divide between the underworld and business. 2) The medicalisation of the drug problem. There are clear tendencies to medicalise the drug problem and look for solutions such as substitution drugs. It is an easy 'fix' to provide heroin addicts with the drug of their choice, i.e. heroin. However, this does not solve any problems at all. The only thing that is achieved is that you make sure that the heroin addict is kept addicted to heroin. Furthermore, the fact that heroin is distributed to heroin addicts has resulted in calls from some cocaine addicts and their supporters (read doctors) to call for distribution of cocaine to cocaine addicts. However, this has nothing to do with science. One of the worst examples of medicalisation is the call for snake oil medicinal experiments by advocates who promote the smoking of crude marijuana as treatment for a variety of ailments. The widespread distribution of methadone and buprenorphine, as well badly controlled syringe exchange programmes are other causes for concern. 3) 'Safe' use of drugs. There is no such thing as 'safe' use of drugs even if advocates of legalisation and/or promoters of systems resulting in easier access to drugs claim this to be a fact. Badly educated politicians and civil servants, and worst of all, easily manipulated teenagers might believe that this is true and fall prey to the idea that drug use is not a question about not using them but rather to learn how to use them in a 'safe' way. This together with intense marketing of illicit drugs via the Internet, calls for decriminalisation and/or legalisation from some poorly informed politicians, artists, police chiefs, doctors and others all pave the way for a generation of ignorant young people, showing a devastating ignorance about the consequences of drug trafficking, the drug trade, and how drug use affects the individual and society In a situation where we are facing growing problems as a result of an increase in trafficking and abuse of drugs, it is most important that the European Union puts the drug issue on top of the agenda for the years to come. Furthermore, authorities, law enforcement agencies and organisations, including ECAD experts, in favour of adherence to the UN Conventions on Drugs and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must be invited to participate in the construction of the future drug policy of the European Union to make sure heroin distribution, injection rooms and other harm productive measures are left out and substituted for by pragmatic and innovative measures to wean drug users off drugs, to expand possibilities for drug free treatment options and to bring drug traffickers to the courts and seize their assets in a more effective way than today. The European Union needs dedicated statesmen, who have the courage to show long-term political will to fight the drug problem by taking effective measures to decrease supply and demand for illicit drugs, and who are thinking more about the well-being and safety of the next generation rather than the next election. ECAD is willing to participate in the work to develop a more constructive drug policy for the future and looks forward to an invitation to further discussions with a view to developing long-term and constructive co-operation. Such discussions should include the following topics Better European and world-wide co-ordination of the fight against drugs based on the contents of the UN Conventions on Drugs, the Guiding Principles of Demand Reduction approved at the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs in New York in June 1998, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The possibility to close down the EMCDDA (the European Union Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) and transfer its tasks to the Vienna-based UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) and INCB (for proper monitoring). The drug problem is a global problem, which should be dealt with from a global perspective rather than a European perspective. Best practices of prevention and treatment in line with the UN Convention on Drugs Development of an international network to fight drugs in accordance with the UN Conventions on Drugs, the Guiding Principles of Demand Reduction approved at the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs in New York in June 1998, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Harm reduction and harm production - What's the difference? The raison d'etre for programs for distribution of heroin. The raison d'etre for Dutch so-called coffee shops. How to deal with fifth columnists actively trying to undermine international and other conventions, treaties, and agreements in their official capacity as civil servants employed to uphold the contents of such conventions, treaties, and agreements. European Cities Against Drugs

ECAD Conference 2004, May 20-21
Importance of the family

Tomas Hallberg, ECAD; Doros Theodorov, Minister for Justice; Andreas Petrou, Mayor of Aglantzia		The ECAD 11th Mayors’ conference took place in Cyprus on May 20-21. With 120 delegates representing 55 cities in 18 countries the annual Mayors’ Conference was a success. ECAD had an honour to welcome Minister for Justice, Mr. Doros Theodorou, who on behalf of the President of Cyprus opened the conference. This year program developed the general theme ”Fighting against drugs – a family issue?” and focused on different aspects of drug prevention and demand/supply reduction. These remain important issues for the discussions within the ECAD.
ECAD would like to thank the municipality of Aglantzia for hosting the conference, for the great share of speakers, for the hospitality shown throughout the conference! ECAD would also like to thank all speakers and delegates who made this conference an important event of the new ECAD year. The mayors’ conference is the major policy-making forum of the organisation. It meets annually so that elected representatives of European cities may consider the progress being achieved in the ongoing task of reducing the demand for illegal drugs and reducing the supply of such drugs to our city communities. Even though the conference is a formal event, it is also a great manifestation of our network co-operation and the growing social network! Two Cypriot cities - Ayia Napa and Latsia, and the Russian city of Azov have signed the Stockholm Resolution and joined the network of the ECAD members. Next year, we will continue our discussions in Oslo. Welcome to ECAD! To read more about the conference, click here

March 4-5, 2004, Belfast
British drug policy - a betrayal

Keith Hellawell, Former British drug tsar		Former British "drug tsar" Keith Hellawell went hard against the British line in regard to drug policy when he spoke at the ECAD conference in Belfast. "It’s a betrayal of our citizens, and most of all - of our young people", he said. "In spite of all knowledge, cannabis was reclassified as a less dangerous drug. This is a wrong decision, it lacks people’s support." The decision to reclassify cannabis was taken by officials on a high level. Hellawell made out that the decision makers were steered by supporters of drug legalisation.
He named Mike Trace, his own former deputy, who has later been uncovered as a fifth columnist while working for the UN Office on Drug and Crime in Vienna. Trace advised Hellawell not to take part in the ECAD Mayors’ conference in Belfast in 2001. "According to Trace, to take part in that conference was not suitable for my position". Hellawell regrets today that he has listened less to "his intuition" than to his "poor adviser". In his speech in the presence of 300 delegates at the Belfast City Hall Hellawell went trough some myths, among others, the one saying that almost all young people use drugs. Hellawell emphasised that this myth is dangerous. It is used as an argument by the drug liberals in their attempts to carry through their policy. One makes pretence that this is a natural state of affairs and continues that there is nothing to do about it but to be pragmatic. In reality, a much lesser part of population uses drugs regularly, even in Great Britain. Hellawell resigned from his position as government’s drug co-ordinator just because of "the betrayal" as he calls the decision of de-facto decriminalisation of cannabis in Great Britain. He does not regret his resignation, maybe only that he did not pursue his policy harder when he served as the highest responsible for the drug issue in the country.

Advisory Board meeting Grants for study visits/for more info see menu to the left

ECAD Advisory Board		Belfast City invited the ECAD Advisory Board to attend the conference. In connection with it, a regular Advisory Board meeting took place. Among other decisions, the Board agreed that - From 2004, ECAD introduces an opportunity to apply for a grant for a study visit to ECAD member cities. - A joint ECAD/Swedish Carnegie Institute grant, 2000 Euro, will go to a person of a great merit within the anti-drug fieldwork in Russia to stimulate further research and improvement in the subject.(*)
- A campaign will be launched to make ECAD more known in France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Information materials will be translated into the named countries’ languages in order to better reach the addressees. - The Advisory Board made a statement on the unsatisfactory state of affairs at the Amsterdam airport Schiphol. (*)The project has never been implemented