Skopje, 21 November 2017, General Population Survey results– launch Established in 1993, the EMCDDA’s aim is to contribute to a healthier and more secure Europe Recast Regulation of December 2006: Provide the Community and EU Member States with factual, objective, reliable and comparable information at European level concerning drugs and drug addiction and their consequences illicit drugs polydrug use Council Decision of May 2005: Information exchange, risk assessment and control of new psychoactive substances Sandrine Sleiman Skopje, 21 November 2017, General Population Survey results– launch

EMCDDA Vision A healthier and more secure Europe through better informed drug policy and action

The EU drug information system Reitox network: a unique data collection system Mechanism for collecting and exchanging information between the EMCDDA and 30 countries: 28 EU Member States Norway Turkey European Commission

The EU drug information system beyond EU borders Technical cooperation Project IPA Further preparation of the candidate countries and potential candidate countries for their participation in the activities of the EMCDDA

Five Key Epidemiological indicators EMCDDA bases its epidemiological monitoring (that is, the epidemiology of users, demand side) on 5 pillars, so called the 5 key epidemiological indicators to achieve its goal. They underpin EMCdda’s reporting on trends and developments in the EU drug situation. They are also an important component of any analysis of the coverage of responses of the assessment of the impact of policies and actions

Prevalence and patterns of drug use among the general population The aim of this “Key Indicator” is to provide valid, reliable and comparable information on the extent and pattern of drug use in the general population in European Countries Through national representative probabilistic surveys of the general population (adults and school children)

Purpose of the GPS indicator – National/EU level Understanding and assessing the drugs situation, identifying priorities, and planning and evaluating responses and policies Monitoring progress towards targets included in National Drug Strategies Helping to conduct comparative analysis across countries, gaining additional understanding on drug use dynamics and patterns, trends and regional patterns (not “league tables”) Monitor progress in the EU drug strategies and action plans Quality information on changes of prevalence, distribution and patterns of drug use provide a solid basis for understanding and assessing the drugs situation, identifying priorities, and planning and evaluating responses and policies. Most Member State National Drug Strategies include requirements for monitoring the national drugs situation, and accurate data on drug prevalence allows monitoring of progress towards targets.

At glance: Estimates of Drug use in the EU Quality information on changes of prevalence, distribution and patterns of drug use provide a solid basis for understanding and assessing the drugs situation, identifying priorities, and planning and evaluating responses and policies. Most Member State National Drug Strategies include requirements for monitoring the national drugs situation, and accurate data on drug prevalence allows monitoring of progress towards targets.

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Basic definitions Lifetime Prevalence (LTP; ‘ever used’) Example question “Have you ever taken cannabis yourself?” Last Year Prevalence (LYP; ‘recent user’) “During the last 12 months have you taken cannabis?” Last Month Prevalence (LMP; ‘current user’) “During the last 30 days have you taken cannabis?” (+ Frequency of use) The core items for national surveys include lifetime experience, use in the previous year (previous 12 months), use in the previous month (previous 30 days) of a selected number of substances (cannabis; ecstasy; amphetamines; cocaine; heroin and LSD).

Prevalence of cannabis use in EU countries. Last GPS survey available Prevalence of cannabis use in EU countries. Last GPS survey available. Last year prevalence among 15-34 years