Cooperation in the field of drugs and drug addiction

Various pills and tablets. — The European Union Drugs Agency collects and analyses data and facts regarding drugs and drug addiction. © Volodymyr Hryshchenko

Since 12 September 2017 Switzerland has been working more closely with the European Union Drugs Agency (formerly the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction). The Federal Office of Public Health and the EUDA have signed a working arrangement to this effect.

The EU’s Drugs Agency (EUDA) compiles reliable and Europe-wide comparable information concerning drugs, drug addiction and their consequences. This data is then available to the EU and its member states as a basis for policymaking and initiatives on finding solutions to problems regarding drugs and drug abuse. Since the organisation’s transformation into an agency in July 2024, it has been better able to collect information, particularly on new psychoactive substances, thanks to a network of national forensic and toxicological laboratories

Switzerland participates on the basis of this working arrangement with the EUDA network. It thus benefits from direct access to this specialised European network, and Swiss researchers have facilitated access to European know-how and research projects. Such cross-border exchange is an important mechanism for better assessing emerging trends in the drugs situation. In particular, one area of mutual interest is Switzerland's participation in the EUDA's early warning system on new psychoactive substances. Increased exchange of information on drug use and on ways the penal system deals with offenders is also of interest.

This working arrangement is not legally binding, and Switzerland is therefore not formally a member of the EUDA. However, it gives Swiss experts the opportunity to participate in the EUDA's thematic working groups.

Timeline

02.07.2024: Launch of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2023/1322 (replacing the existing EMCDDA); the working arrangement remains in effect.
12.09.2017: Signing of a non-legally-binding working arrangement for cooperation between the authorities (EMCDDA and FOPH) at the technical level.
12.12.2006: Further development of the EMCDDA through Regulation (EC) 1920/2006 (new structure and additional competences).
08.02.1993: Creation of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) on the basis of Regulation (EEC) 302/93.