The Group was formed in 1971 in order to develop effective drug abuse and drug trafficking policies in Europe. In 1980 the Group was incorporated into the framework of the Council of Europe. At present it is comprised of 34 European countries.
The main activities of the Pompidou Group are:
- to facilitate the creation of a universal, non-binding discussion forum for political decision makers and professionals dealing with combating and researching the issues of drugs and drug addiction,
- to promote the development of complex anti-drug strategies at national, regional and local levels,
- to raise issues related to ethics and human rights in addiction prevention and treatment.
- to improve the data collection system and monitor new trends in the field of drugs and drug addiction,
- to develop action plans, which are consistent with existing needs,
- to encourage partners from non-EU European countries to cooperate.
Between November 2006 and November 2010, Poland holds the presidency in the Group. The duties of the presidency are fulfilled by the National Bureau for Drug Prevention (KBPN).
One of the most significant initiatives developed by the Polish presidency in the Pompidou Group is the creation of the new, non-binding cooperation forum for European organisations and institutions dealing with the reduction of drug addiction (not only from the EU), i.e. the Inter-Agency Cooperation Group.
Four meetings of the Inter-Agency Cooperation Group were held between 2006-2010:
- 28th November 2007, Warsaw,
- 28th-29th April 2008, Warsaw,
- 29th January 2009, Krakow,
- 19th January 2010, Gdansk.
Moreover, the Polish presidency, in cooperation with the experts of the Pompidou Group, developed a pilot training programme for middle level civil servants (from the countries of the Council of Europe), who are competent in drug issues and are responsible, inter alia, for developing drug-related policies. The main goal of the training is the exchange of information on best practices and know-how concerning effective anti-drug measures, including development, implementation and evaluation of policies. The training also facilitates networking between officers competent for anti-drug policies in the specific countries.
The pilot training programme consisted of two modules:
The first module of the training was organised in Warsaw between 13th-15th May 2010 upon the invitation of the Polish presidency in the Pompidou Group. The participants included 28 representatives from the Council of Europe member states. The first module of the training was designed to analyse the needs and expectations of the middle level civil servants responsible for creating anti-drug policies. The analysis was performed based on the questionnaire developed specifically for the training.
Based on the assessment of the first module, the content of the second module was prepared. The second module took place in the village of Chlewiska between 23rd-27th June 2010. Apart from subject workshops, the training included lectures prepared by speakers from such bodies as the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction, the Max Planck Institute in Munich, the Anton Proksch Institute in Vienna and Liverpool John Moores University.
The topics of the lectures included:
- Research and assessment of anti-drug policies,
- New, innovative approaches in drug prevention,
- Effective supply reduction,
- Treatment and rehabilitation,
- Qualified staff and the quality of the actions taken,
- Interdepartmental cooperation both between the state-funded institutions and NGOs.
- Effective management of anti-drug policies.
Based on the assessment of the two modules, conclusions and recommendations will be drafted, which could assist in the organisation of subsequent training sessions of the Pompidou Group.
