Effective health and drug policy measures aimed at hard drug users would improve the health and well-being not only of drug addicts but also the general public, says the European Parliament Environment Committee in welcoming Commission proposals for preventing drug-related infections .
In proposing a range of non-binding amendments by reporter Minerva MALLIORI (PES, GR) and other MEPs, the committee stressed the key role of local communities, arguing that local authority healthcare staff, police and social workers should be encouraged to take active measures to help drug users.
Governments should pay more attention to high-risk environments such as prisons, while questions of drug abuse, drug-related illness and treating for overdoses should be included in all types of medical training.
The committee urges national and local authorities to take practical action in response to new drug patterns, for example the widespread use of designer drugs and the much higher level of drug use among frequenters of discotheques, raves and night clubs.
Standard rules should be drawn up to ensure safety inside and outside such venues, say MEPs.
