A conference "for a European drug policy", hosted by the Greens / European Free Alliance (EFA) group at the European Parliament on 17th September 2003 , was attended by EPHA staff. This conference was organised by Alima Boumedienne-Thiery MEP.
An EPHA member, Arnaud Watson-Simon, from AIDES, was one of the speakers.
The objective of this conference was to support the participation of civil society in the definition and promotion of a European drug policy.
The conference was divided into two main themes. The first explored current experience and the need for a European policy. There was also focus on the need for networks.
The second theme discussed focused on translating that experience into shared expertise. There was also a discussion on how to include civil society.
Many specific suggestions on how to achieve this were made at the end of the meeting.
Alima Boumedienne-Thiery MEP, called on the EU Institutions to establish a Permanent Forum where NGOs, local and regional governments would be able to share expertise. The outcomes should be used to create policies by the EU.
