Preparing the Drug and Addiction Policy programme

CEEP 2024 Drug Policy
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Hi, beautiful people!

The online meeting didn’t really work out, so I got a little demotivated and swamped by work on the national level, but we should make a progress somehow…

The next steps:

  • here is a machine translated version of PP-CZ programme on Addiction Policy
    • I would be glad if you all could:
      • read it
      • write comments on which parts of it you think should be somehow implemented in the PPEU programme

There is a lot of it which is not convertable to the european level, but I think it would be beneficial for you all to read about it because our european programme should allow the states to implement the suggested changes on national level.

  • what I think should DEFINITELLY be a part of the PPEU programme:
    • addressing the issue of UN conventions
    • allowing member states to regulate of cannabis for personal use
      • facilitating the discussion and implementation of these changes
    • allowing member states to regulate psychedelic assisted psychotherapy
      • facilitating the discussion and implementation of these changes
    • addressing the issue of legal drugs with high risks (tobacco and alcohol), implementing harm reduction, cracking down on lobbying

I will be glad to hear any comments or suggestions from you :black_heart:

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Hi, thanks for the suggestions!

I agree with all of them. I would suggest to add ideas from part 5. b) from the PPCZ programme to the beginning of this chapter. As for the policy points you mention later in your suggestion, I suggest to flesh them out in the following way:

UN Conventions:

  • concrete steps we can take to address the UN conventions (cooperation with like-minded governments to table a common reservation)

Cannabis:

  • introduction: many Member States are in the process of legalisation, explain benefits for personal freedom, government budget, less pointless incarceration
  • harmonisation of approach to cannabis legalisation at the EU level to the extent possible, to bring legal certainty to people who use cannabis and respect the philosophy of the single market

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy:

  • introduction: COVID-19 pandemic/Ukraine war as catalysts for worsening mental health across the EU, the EU is falling behind North America with regards to treatment possibilities for patients
  • advocating for inclusion of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in strategic documents of the EU (EU’s Beating Cancer Plan or others)
  • mention promising clinical trials, science- and evidence-based policymaking

Let’s set a Jitsi call for next week or the week after that to discuss this and present a draft text :slight_smile:

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Hello, as a reminder, here is the joint EU election program for 2019.

Drug Legislation
The majority of international conventions regarding the preparation, manipulation, and consumption of psychoactive substances
is outdated and not based on scientific facts. For example,
scientific evidence suggests that legalization of cannabis results in
less harm to people and society than prohibition.
European Pirates propose that the EU should:
• work to change the international conventions regarding
psychoactive substances towards a science-based view;
• set up a framework facilitating the scientific approach which
among other things should share information and help fund
research on psychoactive substances;
• advocate for the legalization and regulation of cannabis in the
individual member states as a means of restricting the black
market.

I think we should be similarly brief and understandable to voters here. We don’t write submissions to specialists.

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Thank you everyone for your feedback!

Here goes nothing… in other words, I have inserted our values and ideas into chatgpt and have them arange a program point for us. I think it would be a good starting point :space_invader:

Program Point on Addiction Policy for the European Parliament:

  • The European Pirate Party believes that drug policies should be grounded in scientific evidence, prioritize individual autonomy and public health, and take into account the social and economic factors that drive drug use and addiction. The party supports a revision of the UN Conventions on Drugs and their implementation into EU law to create evidence-based drug policies that prioritize public health and harm reduction. The party believes that policies aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use should be prioritized over punitive approaches. These policies could include measures such as decriminalizing drug use and possession, expanding access to evidence-based treatment, and regulating drugs to ensure safety and quality.

  • The European Pirate Party supports the regulation of cannabis for personal use in the EU. The party believes that criminalizing personal use of cannabis is ineffective, disproportionately harms marginalized communities, and diverts resources from more urgent public health needs. The party advocates for evidence-based cannabis policies that prioritize harm reduction, including regulation of the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis to ensure safety and quality.

  • The European Pirate Party advocates for the legalization of psychedelic assisted therapy. The party believes that patients should have the right to access these therapies under medical supervision, and that they should be regulated to ensure safety and efficacy. The party supports the development of evidence-based policies aimed at expanding access to psychedelic assisted therapy, and promoting research into the therapeutic potential of these substances.

  • The European Pirate Party supports a joint European alcohol and tobacco policy focused on harm reduction. The party believes that public health should be a priority, and policies should be evidence-based and aimed at reducing harm to individuals and communities. The party advocates for measures such as education campaigns to promote responsible use of alcohol and tobacco, increasing taxes on these products to discourage excessive consumption, and regulations on advertising and marketing to prevent youth access.

  • The European Pirate Party supports the implementation of drug checking services at the European level. The party believes that drug checking services can help prevent drug-related harms by providing accurate information about the composition and purity of drugs, reducing the likelihood of accidental overdose or other negative consequences.

Overall, the European Pirate Party believes that evidence-based drug policies that prioritize harm reduction, individual autonomy, and public health should be the focus of addiction policy at the European Parliament level. The party supports measures such as revising the UN Conventions on Drugs, regulating cannabis for personal use, legalizing psychedelic assisted therapy, implementing drug checking services, and promoting harm reduction in alcohol and tobacco policies.

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Hello. Yes, such an AI is a great thing. We from the Drugs and Addiction working group of the German Pirate Party are currently working on a draft. Please be patient for a few more days.

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Hello. Here is just the result of our working group. I hope the translation is OK. The introduction is a bit sharper because the majority of our people want to renounce the UN conventions. Which may be faster to do than the demand for changes.

Introduction:

The “War on Drugs” has failed. Prohibition was an wrong turn. Many EU member states are planning a reassessment, legalization or decriminalization of cannabis. This can only be a first step towards a “New Drug Policy”.

Drug policy should first and foremost be health policy. The unnecessary prosecutions and convictions of users of psychoactive substances not only harm society through ever increasing costs for the police and judiciary, but also push users and people with addiction problems into illegality and to the fringes of society.This promotes the black market and organized crime.

A life without drugs in total abstinence is unthinkable for most people. Freedom of the individual also means to make the decision whether and which substances are consumed. The state should only intervene in a regulating manner depending on the scientifically recognized danger of the substance and in no way in a punitive manner.

Pirates therefore advocate that the EU

  • work towards a termination and, if necessary, a rewrite of the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the direction of a science-based view and have cannabis and other substances removed from the list of drugs

  • Creates a framework that facilitates the scientific approach within which, among other things, information can be exchanged and a contribution made to research on psychoactive substances, and thus therapies with these substances can be researched and implemented ( e.g., cancer treatment, ADHD, LongCovid)

  • create a framework that allows member states to legalize and regulate cannabis and other psychoactive substances in order to limit the black market and better ensure consumer and youth protection, as well as respect the philosophy of the free EU single market

  • takes measures to regulate legal substances that are particularly harmful to health, such as alcohol and nicotine, and to ensure health, youth and consumer protection, for example by banning advertising and restricting lobbying.

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Hello, beautiful people!

Thanks to the German Pirates for bringing their thoughts to the table :partying_face: I very much appreciate your initiative!

I consolidated the two drafts proposed here into one document. Here is the link

Please feel free to comment and propose changes (the tracking should be turned on) until our coordination call on THURSDAY 5PM.

I am also attaching the consolidated text here JFYI:

Program Point on Addiction Policy for the European Parliament Elections 2024

The “War on Drugs” has failed. Prohibition was a wrong turn. Many EU member states are planning a reassessment, legalization or decriminalization of cannabis. This can only be a first step towards a “New Drug Policy”. Drug policy should first and foremost be health policy. The unnecessary prosecutions and convictions of users of psychoactive substances not only harm society through ever increasing costs for the police and judiciary but also push users and people with addiction problems into illegality and to the fringes of society. This promotes the black market and organized crime. A life without drugs in total abstinence is unthinkable for most people. Freedom of the individual also means to make the decision whether and which substances are consumed. The state should only intervene in a regulating manner depending on the scientifically recognized danger of the substance and in no way in a punitive manner.

The European Pirate Party believes that drug policies should be grounded in scientific evidence, prioritize individual autonomy and public health, and take into account the social and economic factors that drive drug use and addiction. The party supports a revision of the UN Conventions on Drugs and their implementation into EU law to create evidence-based drug policies that prioritize public health and harm reduction. The party believes that policies aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use should be prioritized over punitive approaches. These policies could include measures such as decriminalizing drug use and possession, expanding access to evidence-based treatment, and regulating drugs to ensure safety and quality.

Pirates therefore advocate that the EU:

  • work towards a termination and, if necessary, a rewrite of the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the direction of a science-based view and have cannabis and other substances removed from the list of drugs.

  • creates a framework that facilitates the scientific approach within which, among other things, information can be exchanged and a contribution made to research on psychoactive substances, and thus therapies with these substances can be researched and implemented ( e.g., cancer treatment, ADHD, LongCovid).

  • create a framework that allows member states to legalize and regulate cannabis and other psychoactive substances in order to limit the black market and better ensure consumer and youth protection, as well as respect the philosophy of the free EU single market.

  • takes measures to regulate legal substances that are particularly harmful to health, such as alcohol and nicotine, and to ensure health, youth and consumer protection, for example by banning advertising and restricting lobbying.

The European Pirate Party supports the regulation of cannabis for personal use in the EU. The party believes that criminalizing personal use of cannabis is ineffective, disproportionately harms marginalized communities, and diverts resources from more urgent public health needs. The party advocates for evidence-based cannabis policies that prioritize harm reduction, including regulation of the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis to ensure safety and quality.

The mental health of European citizens got progressively worse due to the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine war. Therefore, the European Pirate Party advocates for the legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The party believes that patients should have the right to access these therapies under medical supervision, and that they should be regulated to ensure safety and efficacy. The party supports the development of evidence-based policies aimed at expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapy and promoting research into the therapeutic potential of these substances.

The European Pirate Party supports a joint European alcohol and tobacco policy focused on harm reduction. The party believes that public health should be a priority, and policies should be evidence-based and aimed at reducing harm to individuals and communities. The party advocates for measures such as education campaigns to promote responsible use of alcohol and tobacco, increasing taxes on these products to discourage excessive consumption, and regulations on advertising and marketing to prevent youth access.

The European Pirate Party supports the implementation of drug checking services at the European level."

Please comment and propose changes IN THE DOCUMENT LINKED HERE :woman_mechanic:

you have UNTIL THIS THURSDAY 5PM.

Have a nice day :black_heart:

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Hello pirate people all around the Europe.

If I may I would like to add to the introduction text some informansion about decriminalization other drugs not just canabis at another countries. For example at Norway. Maybe there can be something about prevention instad of represion too.

Another thing - It can be part of program about medical care but It can be part of this program too. Psychotherapy with psychedelic for example. It can be included at second paragraph our advocating.

I am sorry but I can´t be at tomorow synchromeet. But I trust You and I think that will be realy good.

Thank you and have a nice day
Petr Konečný

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Hello dear pirates from all over Europe.
Here is the result of our working session today.
One of our people has drafted a very short program which I also present to you here.

The “war on drugs” has failed. Prohibition ties up resources and causes immense costs. Criminalisation often harms marginalised people and pushes them to the fringes of society, instead of regulating substance use outside a black market.

Priority should be given to better harm reduction through housing first and drug checking. Scientific and medical use should be enabled and researched for the benefit of public health.

The legalisation of cannabis, the decriminalisation of all psychoactive substances and the denunciation of the UN drug conventions are the first steps towards a “new drug policy” in Europe.

After that follows a draft from the mix of both drafts available here.
I hope you will find some time to read it before the meeting.

The “war on drugs” has failed. Prohibition was a wrong turn​​​​​​​. Many EU member states are planning a reassessment​​​​​​​, legalize or decriminalize of cannabis. This can only be a first step towards a “New Drug Policy”. Drug policy must first and foremost be health policy, which should take into account the social and economic factors that promote drug use and addiction. The unnecessary prosecution and conviction of users of psychoactive substances not only harms society through ever-increasing costs for the police and judiciary, but also pushes users and people with addiction problems into illegality and to the margins of society. This promotes the black market and organized crime. A life without drugs in complete abstinence is inconceivable for most people. Freedom of the individual also means being able to decide whether and which substances to consume. The state should only intervene in a regulatory way, depending on scientific findings about the danger of the substance, but never in a punitive way.

The European Pirate Party therefore pleads for the EU to work towards a termination and, if necessary, a rewrite of the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the sense of a science-based view and to have cannabis and other substances removed from the list of drugs.

The European Pirate Party supports all measures that create a framework that allows Member States to legalize cannabis and other psychoactive substances and, if necessary, to regulate production, distribution and sales and decriminalize users in order to limit the black market and better ensure consumer and youth protection by prioritizing harm reduction and increasing safety and quality, as well as respecting the philosophy of the free EU internal market.

The mental health of European citizens has increasingly deteriorated due to the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. Therefore, the European Pirate Party advocates the legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The party believes that patients should have the right to use these therapies under medical supervision and that they should be regulated according to scientific evidence to ensure safety and efficacy. The Party supports the development of evidence-based policies aimed at expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapies and promoting research and international exchange on the therapeutic potential of these substances.

The European Pirate Party supports a common European alcohol and tobacco policy aimed at harm reduction ,to regulate these legal substances that are particularly harmful to health. The party believes that public health should be a priority, that policies should be evidence-based and aim to reduce harm to individuals and communities. The party advocates measures such as education campaigns to promote responsible use of alcohol and tobacco, increasing taxes on these products to prevent excessive use, and regulations on advertising and marketing to prevent youth access. In addition, lobbying should be more restricted.

The European Pirate Party supports the promotion of drug checking at the European level.

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okay… so… a little delayed but consolidated and suplemented version of our programme.

The “War on Drugs” has failed. Prohibition ties up resources and causes immense costs. The unnecessary prosecution and conviction of users of psychoactive substances not only harms society through ever-increasing costs for the police and judiciary but also pushes marginalised people into illegality and to the margins of society, instead of regulating substance use outside a black market. This promotes the black market and organized crime. Many EU member states are planning a reassessment, legalization, or decriminalization of cannabis, which can only be a first step towards a “New Drug and Addiction Policy”. Drug policy should first and foremost be health policy, taking into account the social and economic factors that promote drug use and addiction. A life without drugs in complete abstinence is inconceivable for most people, and freedom of the individual means being able to decide whether and which substances to consume. The state should only intervene in a regulatory way, depending on scientific findings about the danger of the substance/addiction, but never in a punitive way.

The European Pirate Party believes that drug and addiction policies should be grounded in scientific evidence, prioritize individual autonomy and public health, and take into account the social and economic factors that drive drug use and addiction. The party supports a revision of the UN Conventions on Drugs and their implementation into EU law to create evidence-based drug policies that prioritize public health and harm reduction. The party believes that policies aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use should be prioritized over punitive approaches. These policies could include measures such as decriminalizing drug use and possession, expanding access to evidence-based treatment, and regulating drugs to ensure safety and quality.
Pirates therefore advocate that the EU:

  • work towards a termination and, if necessary, a rewrite of the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the direction of a science-based view and have cannabis and other substances removed from the list of drugs.
  • creates a framework that facilitates the scientific approach within which, among other things, information can be exchanged and a contribution made to research on psychoactive substances, and thus therapies with these substances can be researched and implemented ( e.g., cancer treatment, ADHD, LongCovid).
  • create a framework that encourage member states to decriminalize, legalize and regulate cannabis and other psychoactive substances in order to limit the black market and better ensure consumer and youth protection, as well as respect the philosophy of the free EU single market.
  • takes measures to regulate legal substances that are particularly harmful to health, such as alcohol and nicotine, and to ensure health, youth and consumer protection, for example by banning advertising and restricting lobbying.

One of their key priorities is harm reduction policies for drug users, and they believe that the European Union should encourage the introduction of harm reduction services such as drug checking services, drug consumption rooms, and substitution therapy programs. The party argues that these services are an essential tool for reducing the harms associated with drug use, such as overdose deaths and the spread of blood-borne diseases. They also argue that these services can help to reduce the stigma associated with drug use and provide support for individuals who want to seek help for their drug use.

The European Pirate Party supports the regulation of cannabis for personal use in the EU. The party believes that criminalizing personal use of cannabis is ineffective, disproportionately harms marginalized communities, and diverts resources from more urgent public health needs. The party advocates for evidence-based cannabis policies that prioritize harm reduction, including regulation of the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis to ensure safety and quality.

The mental health of European citizens got progressively worse due to the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine war. Therefore, the European Pirate Party advocates for the legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The party believes that patients should have the right to access these therapies under medical supervision, and that they should be regulated to ensure safety and efficacy. The party supports the development of evidence-based policies aimed at expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapy and promoting research into the therapeutic potential of these substances.

The European Pirate Party supports a joint European alcohol and tobacco policy focused on harm reduction. The party believes that public health should be a priority, and policies should be evidence-based and aimed at reducing harm to individuals and communities. The party advocates for measures such as education campaigns to promote responsible use of alcohol and tobacco, increasing taxes on these products to discourage excessive consumption, and regulations on advertising and marketing to prevent youth access.

The European Pirate Party advocates for the EU to raise the limit of THC in industrial hemp to 1%, as they believe it would protect hemp producers from being prosecuted for exceeding the current limit. The Pirate Party argues that the 0.2% limit is too restrictive and outdated, as it was set in 1999 when little was known about the potential benefits of hemp. They believe that it would enable hemp producers to cultivate strains with higher CBD content and increase the profitability of the industry. The Pirate Party further contends that such a move would also promote sustainable agriculture practices and reduce the reliance on synthetic materials in various industries.

The European Pirate Party advocates for rational regulation of gambling in the EU. They believe that prohibition of usury associated with betting (betting on credit) is necessary, as well as limiting the number and location of games. However, they do not advocate for a zero tolerance approach as it would take the players to online gambling where there is less potential for intervening. The party also emphasizes informed choice, where information about how each game works, the house edge, risk of losing, and cost of play should be provided to players. The party suggests debunking myths about gambling and implementing pre-commitment, such as setting a maximum number of spins per day/week to prevent addiction. Primary prevention is also crucial, including educating the public about the risks of problem gambling and promoting responsible gambling through advertising campaigns and supporting ancillary services. Local governments should work with the industry to educate employees to identify problem gambling and intervene appropriately. Lastly, the party suggests the possibility of blacklisting problem players from specific games/casinos and mandatory advertising of ancillary services in the casino environment.

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my personal opinion: it is too long, but we said what we wanted to say. i propose we leave further consolidation and shortening for after tomorrow, as i would hope we’d get more information about the prefered form of the programme.

where we are at:
words: 1057
characters (no spaces): 5969
characters (with spaces): 7014

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Here is a much shorter version.

The “war on drugs” has failed. Prohibition was an aberration. Many EU member states are planning to re-evaluate, legalize or decriminalize cannabis. This can only be a first step towards a “New Drug Policy”. Drug policy must first and foremost be health policy that takes into account the social and economic factors that promote drug use and addiction. The unnecessary prosecution and conviction of users of psychoactive substances not only harms society through constantly rising costs for the police and judiciary, but also pushes users and people with addiction problems into illegality and to the margins of society. This promotes the black market and organized crime. A life without drugs in complete abstinence is unimaginable for most people. Individual freedom also includes the right to decide for oneself whether and which substances to consume. The state should only intervene in a regulatory way, depending on scientific findings about the danger of the substance, but never in a punitive way.

The European Pirate Party therefore advocates for the EU to work towards ending and, if necessary, rewriting the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the spirit of a science-based view and to remove cannabis and other substances from the list of drugs.

The European Pirate Party supports all measures that create a framework that allows Member States to legalize cannabis and other psychoactive substances and, if necessary, to regulate production, distribution and sales and decriminalize users in order to limit the black market and better ensure consumer and youth protection by prioritizing harm reduction and increasing safety and quality, as well as respecting the philosophy of the free EU internal market.

The mental health of European citizens has increasingly deteriorated due to the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. Therefore, the European Pirate Party advocates for the legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The Party believes that patients should have the right to use these therapies under medical supervision and that they should be regulated based on scientific evidence to ensure safety and efficacy. The Party supports the development of evidence-based policies aimed at expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapies ( cancer, ADHD, LongCovid) and promoting research and international exchange on the therapeutic potential of these substances.

The European Pirate Party supports a common European alcohol and tobacco policy that aims at harm reduction in order to regulate these legal and particularly harmful substances. The party believes that public health should be a priority, that policies should be evidence-based and aim to reduce harm to individuals and communities. The party advocates measures such as education campaigns to promote responsible use of alcohol and tobacco, increasing taxes on these products to prevent excessive consumption, and regulations on advertising and marketing to prevent youth access In addition, lobbying should be more restricted.

One of their main priorities is harm reduction measures for drug users, and they believe that the European Union should encourage the introduction of harm reduction services such as drug control services, drug consumption rooms, and substitution treatment programs. The party argues that these services are an essential tool for reducing the harms associated with drug use, such as overdose deaths and the spread of blood-borne diseases. They also argue that these services can help reduce the stigma associated with drug use and support people who want to seek help for their drug use.

The European Pirate Party is advocating for the EU to raise the limit for THC content in industrial hemp to 1%, believing that this would protect hemp producers from being prosecuted for exceeding the current limit. The Pirate Party argues that the 0.2% limit is too restrictive and outdated, as it was set in 1999 when little was known about the potential benefits of hemp. The Pirate Party believes that this would allow hemp producers to grow varieties with higher CBD content and increase the profitability of the industry. The Pirate Party also claims that such a move would also promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce reliance on synthetic materials in various industries.

The European Pirate Party advocates for sensible regulation of gambling in the EU. It believes that a ban on usury related to betting (betting on credit) is necessary, as well as a limit on the number and locations of games. However, it does not advocate a zero-tolerance approach, as this would lead players to online gambling, where there are fewer opportunities for intervention. The party also stresses that players should be informed about how each game works, the house edge, the risk of loss, and the cost of playing. The party suggests debunking myths about gambling and introducing pre-commitment, such as setting a maximum number of games per day/week to prevent addiction. Primary prevention is also critical, including educating the public about the risks of problem gambling and promoting responsible gambling through publicity campaigns and support for outreach services. Local governments should work with the industry to train employees to recognize problem gambling and intervene accordingly. Finally, the party proposes the possibility of blacklisting problem gamblers for certain games/casinos and introducing mandatory promotion of ancillary services in the casino environment.

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Perhaps the part about gambling could also be shortened

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Hi everyone,

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. We are finalising the programme in Strasbourg now, but I don’t think that there’s many people interested in this chapter physically present.

I personally think that the version suggested by Janka reads better than the shortened version. I would suggest to delete the part on industrial hemp, as it does not fit within this chapter. If the agriculture chapter coordinator does not want to name specific crops, we can do without mentioning industrial hemp. Putting it here could actually be counterproductive, as many producers of industrial hemp have to fight to prove that it’s NOT a drug.

To shorten the text further, I suggest to rephrase the gambling part as follows:

The European Pirate Party advocates for rational regulation of gambling in the EU. This would include the principle of informed choice, where information about how each game works, the house edge, risk of losing, and cost of play should be provided to players. The party suggests debunking myths about gambling and implementing pre-commitment, such as setting a maximum number of spins per day/week to prevent addiction, or blacklisting problem players from specific games/casinos. Educational advertising campaigns, ancillary services and cooperation of local governments and industry focused on prevention should form the backbone of the regulation.

Please let me know what you think :slight_smile:

Edit: I would also suggest to rewrite the first bullet point in the following way: work towards a rewrite and, if necessary, a termination of the UN conventions - it makes more sense to me to put the less “drastic” change first

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Please find below the outcome of the in person working group in Strasbourg:

The “War on Drugs” has failed. Prohibition ties up resources and causes immense costs. The unnecessary prosecution and conviction of users of psychoactive substances not only harms society through ever-increasing costs for the police and judiciary but also pushes marginalised people into illegality and to the margins of society, instead of regulating substance use outside a black market. This promotes the black market and organised crime. Many EU member states are planning a reassessment, legalisation, or decriminalisation of cannabis, which can only be a first step towards a “New Drug and Addiction Policy”. Drug policy should first and foremost be health policy, taking into account the social and economic factors that promote drug use and addiction. A life without drugs in complete abstinence is inconceivable for most people, and freedom of the individual means being able to decide whether and which substances to consume. The state should only intervene in a regulatory way, depending on scientific findings about the danger of the substance/addiction.

The European Pirate Party believes that drug and addiction policies should be grounded in scientific evidence, prioritise individual autonomy and public health, and take into account the social and economic factors that drive drug use and addiction. The party supports a revision of the UN Conventions on Drugs and their implementation into EU law to create evidence-based drug policies that prioritise public health and harm reduction. The party believes that policies aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use should be prioritised over punitive approaches. These policies could include measures such as decriminalising drug use and possession, expanding access to evidence-based treatment, and regulating drugs to ensure safety and quality.
Pirates therefore advocate that the EU:

  • work towards a rewrite and, if necessary, a termination of the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the direction of a science-based view and have cannabis and other substances removed from the list of drugs.
  • creates a framework that facilitates the scientific approach within which, among other things, information can be exchanged and a contribution made to research on psychoactive substances, and thus therapies with these substances can be researched and implemented ( e.g., cancer treatment, ADHD, LongCovid).
  • create a framework that encourages member states to decriminalise, legalise and regulate cannabis and other substances in order to limit the black market and better ensure consumer and youth protection, as well as respect the philosophy of the free EU single market.
  • takes measures to regulate legal substances that are particularly harmful to health, such as alcohol and nicotine, and to ensure health, youth and consumer protection, for example by banning advertising and restricting lobbying.

One of their key priorities is harm reduction policies for drug users, and they believe that the European Union should encourage the introduction of harm reduction services such as drug-checking services, drug consumption rooms, and substitution therapy programs. The party argues that these services are an essential tool for reducing the harms associated with drug use, such as overdose deaths and the spread of blood-borne diseases. They also argue that these services can help to reduce the stigma associated with drug use and provide support for individuals who want to seek help for their drug use.

The European Pirate Party supports the regulation of cannabis for personal use in the EU. The party believes that criminalising personal use of cannabis is ineffective, disproportionately harms marginalised communities, and diverts resources from more urgent public health needs. The party advocates for evidence-based cannabis policies that prioritise harm reduction, including regulation of the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis to ensure safety and quality.

The European Pirate Party advocates for the legalisation of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The party believes that patients should have the right to access these therapies under medical supervision, and that they should be regulated to ensure safety and efficacy. The party supports the development of evidence-based policies aimed at expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapy and promoting research into the therapeutic potential of these substances.

The European Pirate Party supports a joint European alcohol and tobacco policy focused on harm reduction. The party believes that public health should be a priority, and policies should be evidence-based and aimed at reducing harm to individuals and communities. The party advocates for measures such as education campaigns to promote responsible use of alcohol and tobacco, discourage excessive consumption, and regulations on advertising and marketing to prevent youth access.

The European Pirate Party advocates for rational regulation of gambling in the EU. This would include the principle of informed choice, where information about how each game works, the house edge, risk of losing, and cost of play should be provided to players. The party suggests debunking myths about gambling and preventing addiction.

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Yes thats good work. Thanks.

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Hello, I am Baptman, a member of PPFR and the captain of the Health crew. Our team has worked on the text “The drug and Addiction Policy Programme” and we have a proposed set of modifications to submit.
I am new to the forum (my introduction), and some more seasoned members of PPFR have asked me to directly address you regarding the text. (and @malajanka )

Here it is with the modifications clearly highlighted. As a reminder, there is no intention to impose anything, but simply to bring our observations to the attention of the European Pirate Party.

Thank you for your attention.

The “War on Drugs” has failed * (This statement requires sources, you will find some in French at the end of the article.) . Prohibition ties up resources and causes immense costs. The unnecessary prosecution and conviction of users of psychoactive substances not only harms society through ever-increasing costs for the police and judiciary but also pushes marginalised people into illegality and to the margins of society, instead of regulating substance use outside a black market. This promotes the black market and organised crime. Many EU member states are planning a reassessment, legalisation, or decriminalisation of cannabis, which can only be a first step towards a “New Drug and Addiction Policy” ** (This statement requires sources, you will find some in French at the end of the article.) . Drug policy should first and foremost be health policy, taking into account the social and economic factors that promote drug use and addiction. A life without drugs in complete abstinence is inconceivable for most people, and freedom of the individual means being able to decide whether and which substances to consume. The state should only intervene in a regulatory way, depending on scientific findings about the danger of the substance/addiction.

The European Pirate Party believes that drug and addiction policies should be grounded in scientific evidence, prioritise individual autonomy and public health, and take into account the social and economic factors that drive drug use and addiction. The party supports a revision of the UN Conventions on Drugs and their implementation into EU law to create evidence-based drug policies that prioritise public health and harm reduction. The party believes that policies aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use should be prioritised over punitive approaches. These policies could include measures such as decriminalising drug use and possession, expanding access to evidence-based treatment ( The healthcare team is questioning the relevance of including this measure in the “drug policy” program.) , and regulating drugs to ensure safety and quality.

Pirates therefore advocate that the EU:

  • work towards a rewrite and, if necessary, a termination of the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the direction of a science-based view and have cannabis and other substances (Need for more clarity to be able to defend this policy as effectively as possible) removed from the list of illicits drugs.

  • creates a framework that facilitates the scientific approach within which, among other things, information can be exchanged and a contribution made to research on psychoactive substances, and thus therapies with these substances can be researched and implemented ( e.g., cancer treatment, ADHD, LongCovid).

  • create a framework that encourages member states to decriminalise, legalise and regulate cannabis and other substances (Need for more clarity to be able to defend this policy as effectively as possible) in order to limit the black market and better ensure consumer and youth protection, as well as respect the philosophy of the free EU single market.

  • takes measures to regulate legal substances that are particularly harmful to health, such as alcohol and nicotine (tobacco), and to ensure health, youth and consumer protection, for example by banning advertising and restricting lobbying.

One of their key priorities is harm reduction policies for drug users, and they believe that the European Union should encourage the introduction of harm reduction services such as drug-checking services, drug consumption rooms, and substitution therapy programs. The party argues that these services are an essential tool for reducing the harms associated with drug use, such as overdose deaths and the spread of blood-borne diseases. They also argue that these services can help to reduce the stigma associated with drug use and provide support for individuals who want to seek help for their drug use.

The European Pirate Party supports the regulation of cannabis for personal use in the EU. The party believes that criminalising personal use of cannabis is ineffective, disproportionately harms marginalised communities, and diverts resources from more urgent public health needs. The party advocates for evidence-based cannabis policies that prioritise harm reduction, including regulation of the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis to ensure safety and quality.

The European Pirate Party advocates for the legalisation of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The party believes that patients should have the right to access these therapies under medical supervision, and that they should be regulated to ensure safety and efficacy. The party supports the development of evidence-based policies aimed at expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapy and promoting research into the therapeutic potential of these substances.

The European Pirate Party wishes for no barrier in medical research on psychedelic-assisted therapies. If these therapies are proven effective and safe, the European Pirate Party supports their use in a medical setting.

The European Pirate Party supports a joint European alcohol and tobacco policy focused on harm reduction. The party believes that public health should be a priority, and policies should be evidence-based and aimed at reducing harm to individuals and communities. The party advocates for measures such as education campaigns to promote responsible use ( The concept of “responsible consumption” doesn’t seem relevant to us, as it places the responsibility of dependency solely on the consumer.) of alcohol and tobacco, discourage excessive consumption, regulations on and prohibit advertising and marketing to prevent youth access.*** (SAFER initiative of WHO)

The European Pirate Party advocates for rational regulation of gambling in the EU. This would include the principle of informed choice, where information about how each game works, the house edge, risk of losing, and cost of play should be provided to players This includes the principle of informed player choice: information on how each game works, its cost, and the risks of financial losses.The party suggests debunking myths about gambling and preventing addiction.The party suggests demystifying myths about gambling and preventing addiction, banning advertising and marketing related to gambling.

Some explanations :

Regarding the systematic use of “cannabis and other substances,” the health team understands the desire to broaden the discussion on drugs beyond just cannabis. However, there are concerns about the usefulness and the risk this may pose for defenders in arguments with opponents who could potentially use this against them without clear clarity.

Advertising regulations, like those for alcohol and gambling in France, don’t seem sufficient. We want them to be banned. It doesn’t hinder the freedom to consume, but only the ability to increase profits for producers of these addictive substances or behaviors.

Sources :
(Sorry, but I cannot post more than two sources. I cannot provide you with the references. They included a French scientific journal article on the failure of the war on drugs, a mapping of the state of legalizations across Europe, and the WHO’s SAFER program for alcohol.)

Additions in bold / comments in italics / deletions in strikethrough

It will be a pleasure to exchange with you on the subject. :slight_smile:

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18

Hello Baptman,

the working group on drugs and addiction policy of the Pirate Party Germany has looked at your proposals today and discussed them.

As a source with many current reports we recommend: The Global Commission on Drug Policy – Reports by the Global Commission on Drug Policy

We are already of the opinion that the programme item “Expansion of access to evidence-based treatment” also plays an important role from the point of view of drug and addiction policy and should therefore not be deleted.

In the section on alcohol and tobacco policy, we do not place the sole responsibility on the consumers, but call for stronger regulation by the state through harm reduction, education, reduction of excessive consumption and advertising bans.

In order to criticise the insufficient advertising regulations, we recommend amending the passage on gambling as follows:

The European Pirate Party advocates sensible regulation of gambling and advertising bans in the EU. This includes the principle of informed choice, where players should be provided with information on how each game works, the house advantage, the risk of loss and the cost of the game.

An advertising ban on alcohol and nicotine (tobacco) is already included in the last draft.

Restricting legalisation to cannabis does not seem to us to be effective because of the consequences of the failed war on drugs described above in the draft programme, unnecessary costs of prosecution for police and customs, promotion of the black market and organised crime by forcing consumers into illegality, etc.

Best regards Andreas

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19

Hello, thank you for this comprehensive response.

  • Regarding the sources: okay.

  • Regarding the evidence-based access expansion: the formulated response is satisfactory to us, even though these markets will be different.

  • Regarding gambling: the rephrasing is very good.

  • Regarding alcohol and tobacco advertisements: thank you for the clarification. Where can we find the text of this latest project from the European program? (Or did we have a problem with the translation of the text we have?)

  • Regarding cannabis and other substances: if we understood correctly, the goal would be to keep the door open for the legalization of other psychoactive substances. The question is: does the European level assume the implicit legalization of all drugs? (It’s a difficult position, but not impossible.)

  • Regarding the rewriting of the UN framework, we believe it is necessary to maintain this version:

“Work towards a rewriting and, if necessary, termination of the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the direction of a scientific vision and remove cannabis and other substances from the list of illicit drugs.”

  • We also think it is preferable to keep the modification regarding assisted therapies as follows:

“The PPEU wishes to not impede medical research on therapies assisted by psychedelics. If these therapies are proven effective and safe, the PPEU supports their use within a medical framework.”

In order to maintain scientific logic:

“No barriers - research - evidence of efficacy - safety - deployment.”

Sincerely, French Pirate Health Team.

20

Hello everyone!
Thank you for participating in the discussion. Here are my comments to the proposed changes:

  • @sources: we can put sources, but im not sure the rest of the program is sourced. i would not like to be the only chapter that seems to be backed by evidence

  • @nicotine / tobacco: i would maybe opt for using both… it’s definitely not just about tobacco. we are now battling with nicotine pouch regulation in CZ which is crucial to tobacco harm reduction

  • @psychedelic-assisted therapy: i don’t feel the need to be so cautious around the wording. the whole program is centered around evidence-based approaches, i do not see the need why it should be emphasized here again

  • @responsible consumption: well… i don’t think this phrase puts responsibility solely on the consumer. i read it as “the user needs to be informed to know how to use responsibly”

  • @gambling: agreed

  • @UN framework: this is a more complex issue than it seems. termination of UN conventions is not all, we need to target EU law and in this conext I think the original phrasing is better