The international drug control cooperation policy of the European Community: a personal view.

The programme of international cooperation of the European Community (EC) in the field of drugs has been in existence since 1987. The scope of the programme is wide and covers, in principle, all aspects of the drug problem in the partner countries. However, interdiction of illicit activities in drug production and trafficking has fallen so far outside the competence of EC, although it will be covered by the European Union once the Maastricht Treaty comes into force. Out of the experience gained in managing the programme, the author suggests that, to be effective, an integrated approach should provide an appropriate place for cooperating more fully in the field of law enforcement. The two priority areas of application of the programme should then be the prevention of drug abuse and the fight against trafficking-two areas which, in fact, tightly reinforce each other.