17/02/2022
The launch event of the third phase of the COPOLAD programme was held with the participation of agencies, international organisations, specialists and civil society.
COPOLAD brings together more than 30 drug agencies from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, international organisations, specialists and representatives of civil society to celebrate the kick-off event of the new phase of the programme. This new stage picks up on the achievements of the previous years, 2011-2020, and will continue to promote the design, reform and implementation of drug policies, focusing mainly on Human Rights. COPOLAD helps to reduce inequalities, improving levels of social cohesion and institutional strengthening in 19 Latin American countries.
This phase continues to be financed by the European Union and is led by FIIAPP and the International Italo-Latin American Organisation (IILA) in collaboration with several partners such as the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the German cooperation agency (GIZ).
During the event, the many participants from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe reflected on the current drug situation at the international, regional, and local levels, which has been further complicated by the COVID pandemic. Likewise, the main shared challenges and the contribution expected from COPOLAD III were outlined .
At the opening of the event, the director of the FIIAPP, Anna Terrón, highlighted the focus of this stage of the programme, saying that “we must commit to a new generation of drug policies, which must be more effective against the social consequences of this phenomenon”.
On the other hand, Joan R. Villalbí, Government delegate for the National Plan on Drugs, celebrated the start-up of the new phase of the programme and assured those attending that Spain will lend its full support by providing its knowledge and experience in strategic management, configuration of information systems, research and intervention on addictions, as well as in collaborative work through national and international networks.
As outlined in the new EU strategy on drugs, the programme will focus on improvements to policies related to Human Rights, gender equity, public health and other aspects of sustainable development. All this to achieve more effective drug policies aimed at improving people’s lives, particularly the most vulnerable groups. To this end, public talent will be mobilised to promote transformative, innovative action.
