Opinion of Economic and Social Committees on Europe's fight against drugs
The European Union's Economic and Social Committee has published its opinion on the European Commission's Communication on a European Action Plan to combat drugs (2000-2004). The Commission's communication includes: - A programme to combat illicit drugs using coordinate action at all levels; - A call for prevention to be given the highest priority; - Proposals to increase the exchange of experience and best practice; - Proposals to reduce the supply of illicit drugs; - A call for the integration of Schengen drug-related activities and the implementation of the EU Action Plan on organised crime; - Plans to promote the inclusion of clauses on control of illicit drugs in agreements on development and trade at an international level. Among its recommendations to the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee remarks on the 'increased use of the Internet both from the supply and demand perspective of the drugs phenomena'. It therefore calls on the Commission to implement its action plan on promoting safe use of the Internet (see RCNs 14093; 13621; 10000).