Final assessment of the EU drugs strategy 2013 : 2020 and the EU action plan on drugs 2017 - 2020 : final report

The EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020 was adopted in December 2012 and sets out the vision and aims of the European Union's drug policy. The Strategy is organised around two policy fields (drug demand and supply reduction) and three cross-cutting themes (coordination, international cooperation, and information, research, monitoring and evaluation). The aim of the Strategy is to contribute to a reduction in drug demand and drug supply within the EU. The Strategy is implemented through two Action Plans, for the periods 2013-2016 and 2017-2020. This study assesses the EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020 and the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2017-2020 by looking at the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value of the actions undertaken on the basis of the Strategy and the Action Plan. This study provides evidence to support the Commission's evaluation of the Strategy and Action Plan, with a view to proposing a new strategic document on drugs. It provides findings, conclusions and recommendations, in light of new and emerging challenges at national, EU and international level in the area of drugs. The key recommendation for the Commission is that it should adopt a new strategic document on drugs and corresponding operational document. This strategic document should have concrete and clear priorities, and further integrate drug-related security threats and trends with health, environmental, social, political and international aspects.