On 21-23 September 2021 the Pompidou Group, under the patronage of the City of Palermo and with the support of the Fondazione Falcone, organised the 2nd international capacity building seminar on 'Responding to drug-related challenges for refugees, migrants and IDPS'.

Policy makers, legal, health and social professionals along with law enforcement agents working in the field of drug prevention and treatment, as well as professionals working with refugees and migrants from 15 countries covering Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Northern Africa and International Organisations had the opportunity to meet and exchange experiences and practices as well as to enhance their intercultural competencies and their verbal and non-verbal communications and cooperation skills.  Participants also acquired a better understanding of the interrelation between migration, mental health and substance misuse.

Finally, the working group in charge of developing a 'Handbook for health and social professionals and law enforcement agents working with people who use drugs and/or refugees/migrants' will include the training’s conclusions in the Handbook. This Handbook is part of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025) and it should be finalised by the end of 2021.