This component intensifies the success gained in the first phase of the Programme in the reinforcement and support of the EU-CELAC Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs. For this reason, COPOLAD continues to promote opportunities on information exchange, coordination and cooperation among competent authorities in charge of drugs policies in the EU and CELAC. Opportunities for the institutional strengthening of National Agencies are broadened.
Particular emphasis is placed on consolidating the current possibilities of the Mechanism, on supporting and increasing its visibility, contributing to foster a greater communication between the different actors, as well as to improving the availability of knowledge by broadening and facilitating access to relevant information for professionals and mediators.
- COPOLAD II 1st Annual Conference: first high-level meeting with the joint participation of the EU and CELAC countries
With the aim of promoting opportunities for the information exchange, coordination and cooperation between authorities in charge of drugs policies in the European Union (EU) and the CELAC, being it the first time for Caribbean countries to attend as COPOLAD participant countries. The Conference organized by the FIIAPP, jointly with the two countries holding the Co-Presidencies of the EU-CELAC Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs (Mexico from the CELAC and The Netherlands from the EU). The meeting also counted on the participation of the Unit for Regional Operations in Latin America and the Caribbean at the Commission's Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (EuropeAid/DEVCO) and the Delegation of the Spanish Government of the National Plan on Drugs.
The keynote conference The politics of evidence-based policy-making, presented some key points for the planning process concerning changes in public policies. Also, a description of the main factors that influence the formulation of public policies was included, providing some insights on the relevant aspects to take into account when they are defined and implemented effectively.
Following this Conference, two round tables offered practical examples of harmonisation of these processes. At the roundtable: Developing a legal framework to support drug-policy based on Human Rights, Gender perspectives and Public Health and Security principles, introduced the process of incorporating a gender approach in the new Costa Rican law on drugs; the introduction of quality and evidence-based criteria for Drug Demand Reduction programs in the Czech legal framework; the evaluation of the impact of the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2001 in Jamaica and some considerations regarding the legal framework in Portugal after a decade of success.
The second roundtable From evidence to practice in the field of drug policy: developments are possible presented the cross-cutting strategy in transferring evidence into the working lines of SEDRONAR-Argentina; effectiveness of an intervention with crack users in highly vulnerable settings in Brazil; implementing a National Early Warning System (EWS) in Colombia; and the development and first results of the Bolivian Drugs Observatory. In the last session of the Conference, representatives of the collaborating agencies and participant countries in COPOLAD, presented their contributions to the Programme and discussed operational matters to foresee when developing different activities planned for the second phase of COPOLAD. Go to activity
- Process initiated for the elaboration of the report required to COPOLAD by the EU-CELAC Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs
In order to respond to an enquiry from EU-CELAC Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs, the National Drug Board (JND) of Uruguay, will lead the elaboration of a technical report. The aim of this document is to present a solid and updated review – considering the situation and evidence available – on how mainstreaming, with a deeper and more comprehensive manner, the gender approach in all the areas that define drugs policy, either on Demand Reduction (prevention, treatment, harm reduction, rehabilitation, social and labour inclusion…) as well as Supply Control (judiciary and penitentiary system, asset laundering, alternative development and illicit crops…), without forgetting issues as supranational and international cooperation scopes.
The aim of this report is focused on answering the question: What does the crosscutting consideration of the gender approach and the empowerment of women on drugs policies imply?, through a review of the key aspects in this field, including: the current situation of this issue: significance and extent of existing challenges; current available evidence on the effectiveness of strategies and programmes already implemented in each field of intervention, identifying existing gaps; a selection of best practices found in public institutions and civil society addressed to decrease inequalities and to empower women; an operational proposal -conceived as a roadmap- that allows interested countries to move forward in this field, having the necessary keys to implement comprehensive and extensive policies with a gender perspective and with a specific emphasis on women empowerment. This review should broaden and complement partial or sectoral reports, published so far by different institutions, including a first approach already carried out within COPOLAD I, as well as other initiatives in this field that have been emerging over the past decade.
For this initiative, Uruguay will have experts from different countries, actively involved in COPOLAD, as well as from collaborating institutions and associated bi-regional networks.