WHO WE ARE / WHAT WE WANT / WHAT WE DO

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WHO WE ARE

The European Cities on Drug Policy (ECDP) collaborate on the basis on the Frankfurt Resolution (1990) that sketches the principles of a pragmatic and effective drug policy.

Members on the ECDP are cities and counties that are most affected by drug trafficking, drug consumption and resulting problems for individuals as well as for communities.

All local parties concerned with these issues cooperate in the development of suitable strategies on drug policy.

Several issues are addressed, including:

law enforcement and judiciary system;

drug experts coordination;

public health and assistance system;

prevention and information on drug abuse.

The structure of the ECDP consist of:

Board of Members:

political representatives of the member cities;

Conference of Coordinators:

drug policy's coordinators of member cities or other cities' officials;

Board of Spokespersons:

representatives of member cities appointed by the board of members;

Coordination Bureau:

central office responsible in coordinating and organizing activities and projects.

A network of cities, counties, groups and organizations is also linked to the ECDP. They collaborate in a regional, national and international information exchange on local drug policies.

WHAT WE WANT

The aims of the ECDP are:

Regular programs exchange about local drug policy;

Introduction and discussion of new strategies and projects; Ccoperation toward a harmonization of local drug policies; Exchange of information and know how among all parties involved in drug related problems.

The most important role of ECDP is to organize the cooperation among drug experts and city officials toward the development of local strategies in drug policy. The results of this collaboration are then introduced to national and international governments.

The ECDP holds regular contacts with many international groups and organizations, such as the Conseil des Communes et Regions d'Europe, the International Anti prohibitionist League, the Drug Policy Foundation, the United Nation Drug Control Program.

The political aims ot the European Cities on Drug Policy are outlined in the Frankfurt Resolution - a document passed by the cities of Amsterdam, Frankfurt a.M., Hamburg and Zürich at the 1st Conference: European Cities at the Center of Illegal Trade in Drugs (November 1990).

Since August 1993 another 11 European cities signed the Frankfurt Resolution and more than 50 cities and countries representatives from every European country have joined the ECDP network.

WHAT WE DO

The ECDP pursues the following activities:

- annuai cities held conferences;

- periodic meetings of cities coordinators;

regular exchange of information concerning local projects;

hands on exchange of field workers and drug experts;

compilation and distribution of bulletins, reports and publications;

introduction and discussion of local strategies into national and internationai organizations;

commonly guided scientific projects and researches;

continuous expansion of the cooperation network implemented by meetinos, missions, conferences and seminars.

ECDP conferences:

1st Conference: European Cities at the Center of Illegal Trade in Drugs (Frankfurt a.M., 1990)

2nd Conference: European Cities Setting Out for a New Drug Policy (Zürich, 1991)

3rd Conference: European Cities Toward a New Drug Policy (Bologna, 1992)

4th Conference: European Cities on Drug Policy (Hamburg, 1993)

THE POLICY OF THE FRANKFURT RESOLUTION:

The attempt to eliminate both the supply and the consumption of drugs in our society has failed. We shall have to continue to live with the existence of drugs and drug users in the future.

A drug policy only based upon criminal law to stop consumption and on abstinence as prerequisite for State aid, has failed.

Drug problems we primarily due to the illegality of drug use. Criminalization is not only a barrier to assistance and therapy, but also forces police officials and judges to carry out a task they cannot fulfill. Instead, criminal prosecution should focus its priorities on fighting illegal drug trafficking and police's duty should be the protection of community.

A dramatic shift in priorities in drug policy is essential. Help for drug addicts, preventive and educational measures are important objectives for effective strategies. The maximum amount of social and health assistance must be made available when dealing with drug addiction and drug users, whereas repressive interventions should be reduced to a minimum.

In the course of the unification process in Europe, a harmonization of national laws on the basis of a policy of decriminalization and depenalization of drug users as well as of harm reduction is urgently needed.

We require a better cooperation and coordination on drug policy among different cities, counties and countries at the international level. If only a few major cities implement a drug policy that accepts the reality of drug addiction - offering low-threshold help - these cities will attract drug users like magnets and will soon be overwhelmed by the problems they are confronting.

It is therefore extremely necessay that our concept on drug policy receives legal, technical and financial support from regional and national Governments as well as from international organizations.

THE CITIES OF THE FRANKFURT RESOLUTION (in August 1993):

Amsterdam (Netherlands) 1990

Arnheim (Netherlands) 1991

Basel (Switzerland) 1992

Charleroi (Belgium) 1992

Frankfurt a.M. (Germany) 1990

Hamburg (Germany) 1990

Hannover (Germany) 1993

Kallithea (Greece) 1991

Ljubljana (Slovenia) 1992

Luzern (Switzerland) 1992

Rotterdam (Netherlands) 1991

Teramo (Italy) 1991

Venlo (Netherlands) 1992

Zagreb (Croatia) 1992

Zürich (Switzerland) 1990

For more information concerning the ECDP programs and activities please contact:

ECDP Coordination Bureau

Susanne Schardt

Walter Kolb-Strasse 9 11

60594 Frankfurt am Main

Germany

Tel (069) 62 07 01

Fax (069) 64604804