In 2005, ENCOD approached relevant authorities and decision-makers in the European Union, to establish a serious dialogue on the issue of drugs between authorities and civil society in the EU.
The EU Drug Strategy 2005 – 2012 consists of two consecutive Drug Action Plans, containing concrete action proposals to carry out the strategy. Mid February, the European Commission released its first draft Action Plan on Drugs 2005-2008.
ENCOD issued its comments to EU Authorities on this plan.
On 21 april, upon the initiative of ENCOD, the European Parliament organised a Public Hearing on the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2005-2008.
Read the ENCOD Speech in the Hearing, the report and the main conclusions.
In June 2005, it became clear that despite the recommendations of the European Parliament and the call for change in EU drug policies coming from ENCOD and other civil society representatives, the European Commission would propose the definitive EU Action Plan on Drugs without taking these signals into account.
ENCOD made a last effort to stop the approval on 16 June, through an open letter to EU authorities. But on 27 June the European Council decided to approve the Action Plan as proposed by the Commission, though it was decided not to give it any press attention.
On 14 July, ENCOD and Giusto Catania issued a common press release to protest against this decision.
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