International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: More action needed on prevention, access to support and fight against traffickers

On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking tomorrow, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, said: “Illicit drugs are a persistent problem, affecting the health and security of millions. We are intensifying our fight against drug traffickers and producers but also stepping up on prevention. Victims merit support. People deserve to live their lives healthy and in safety.” Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said: “Despite the  pandemic, drug trafficking continues and remains extremely profitable and also extremely violent. Drug trafficking dominates organised crime with 40 percent of criminal groups in the EU engaged in this deadly business. To fight this threat, we need to cut the supply by disrupting crime groups and cutting financing.” To mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the EU drugs agency is publishing today a report on prison and drugs in Europe. In addition, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is presenting today the 2021 World Drug Report. You can watch the event from 13:30 CET today here. The EU drugs agency had presented earlier this month the European Drug Report 2021, analysing recent drug use and supply trends across the EU, and addressing in particular the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug markets, use and services. To address the security and health implications of drug trafficking and drug use, the Council approved an EU Drugs Strategy for the period 2021 to 2025, based on the EU Agenda on Drugs presented by the Commission last year. The EU Strategy to tackle Organised Crime presented in April this year will contribute to disrupting the business models and structures of criminal organisations, including drug traffickers, across borders.