RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL AND THE MINISTERS FOR HEALTH, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL

of 11 November 1991

on the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts serving sentences for criminal offences

(91/C 304/07)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THE MINISTERS FOR HEALTH OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Whereas the abuse of narcotic drugs and other psychotropic substances poses a serious social problem for the Member States;

Believing the extent and complexity of this problem to be closely bound up with the socio-cultural, legal, medical, socio-psychological and economic factors prevailing in the Member States;

Whereas these factors, which may be different in each of the Member States, have a bearing on their policies in the field of drugs;

Whereas furthermore, in addition to these national characteristics, the addiction problem is increasingly assuming an international dimension;

Having regard to the relevant health and social objectives stated in the European Plan to Combat Drugs (section III, A, 2 (D)), according to which it is necessary to promote the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts serving sentences for criminal offences by means of medical and social support in prison or in alternative systems to detention where they exist;

Believing that this problem also needs to be tackled from the angle of drug demand; whereas this is an area for action of common interest falling within the terms of reference of both the Ministers for Health and the Ministers for Justice; whereas effective action in this area implies close cooperation between the various authorities concerned;

Having regard to the activities and meetings on this problem conducted by other bodies, in particular the Pompidou Group;

Recalling the conclusions of the Council and the Ministers for Health, meeting within the Council, of 4 June 1991 on the monitoring of action taken to reduce drug demand, which instructed the Commission to draw up regular reports on action to reduce drug demand;

AGREE that, within the context of a reduction of drug demand, particular attention should be given to a systematic inventory of Member States' social and health policies, measures and actions concerning persons in penal establishments or in an establishment subject to judicial supervision;

REQUEST the Commission, within the framework of its regular reports, to prepare this systematic inventory, in close cooperation with the Member States;

ALSO INVITE the Commission to promote the exchange of views and experience in this field, if possible through the organization of a conference to that end.