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Pompidou Group launches feasibility study on prison-based therapeutic communities for treating dependence in Georgia
The Pompidou Group conducted a feasibility study on establishing therapeutic communities (TCs) for treating drug dependence in Georgian penitentiary facilities, with two international experts and a national consultant assessing their potential integration into the prison system. Introducing this...
2025 Drug Policy Executive Course
The first Module of the 2025 Drug Policy Executive Course organised within the Pompidou Group’s International Drug Policy Academy brought together participants from 19 countries from Europe, America and the Southern shore of the Mediterranean. Hosted by the University of Malta, Valletta Campus,...
Former Pompidou Group Secretariat member receives Spanish White Cross of the Order of Merit for an outstanding work in the Mediterranean region
Ms. Florence Mabileau, a former Secretariat member of the Pompidou Group, received the Spanish White Cross of the Order of Merit of the National Plan on Drugs at a ceremony in Madrid. Presented by the Ministry of Health of Spain, the award acknowledges the exceptional contributions of...
Pompidou Group’s active participation in the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs
As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing international drug policy discussions, the Pompidou Group participated in the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) from 10 to 14 March in Vienna, Austria. During the first plenary session, the Italian Presidency...
The Pompidou Group launched its online course on human rights and drug use
The Pompidou Group’s online course on human rights and drug use, developed under the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals Programme (HELP), is now available. On 10 March 2025, the Pompidou Group organised a side event at the 68th session of the Commission on...
Italian Presidency's Statement and side event organised by the Pompidou Group highlight key drug policy advancements at 68th CND session
The Pompidou Group is participating in the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) of the United Nations from 10 to 14 March 2025 in Vienna, Austria. As part of its contribution, its Italian Presidency issued a statement on behalf of the Pompidou Group, during the first plenary...
Launch of the Pompidou Group Prevention Prize 2025. The deadline for applications is 30 May 2025
The Pompidou Group is pleased to announce that the Pompidou Group Prevention Prize 2025 is now officially launched. The deadline for applications is 30 May 2025. The objective of the Prize is to recognize the importance of active youth participation in creating a better and healthier environment....
A new Drafting Committee has been set up and tasked with developing a Council of Europe Recommendation on advancing human rights in drug policies
At their 95th meeting in Strasbourg (5-6 November 2024), the Permanent Correspondents of the Pompidou Group adopted a Policy Paper providing “Guidance for aligning drug and addiction policies with human rights”. The Policy Paper aims to ensure that drug and addiction policies, when developed or...
A MedNET delegation explores Italy’s approach of tackling New Psychoactive Substances
Within the framework of the Pompidou Group’s Mediterranean cooperation network (MedNET), a study visit took place from 11 to 13 February on the Italian institutional set up dealing with New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). The three-day study visit to Rome allowed a delegation of representatives...
Joint Expert Group meeting in developing guidelines on combating organised crime relating to drug trafficking
The Joint Expert Group in developing policy guidelines on combating organised crime relating to drug trafficking, based on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (OC-DT) held its second online meeting on 10 February 2025 to review its progress. Discussions focused on the Background...
Joint European project launched in Rome to tackle risks associated with youth online gambling and gaming
A two-day International Conference marked the official launch of the joint European Union/Council of Europe Technical Support Instrument project “Promoting the Mental Health of Children and Youth by Addressing the Risks of Online Gambling and Gaming” on 28-29 January in Rome, Italy. This project...
In 2024, MedNET continued to drive regional collaboration on prevention and treatment of substance use disorders
Since its start in 2006, the Pompidou Group’s Mediterranean network for cooperation on drugs and addictions (MedNET), has played a vital role in fostering collaboration across the Mediterranean region to address the complex issues surrounding drug use and substance use disorders. Among a wide...
The Joint Expert Group in developing Policy Guidelines on combating organised crime relating to drug trafficking, based on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights holds its first meeting
In the framework of the follow up to the 4th Council of Europe Summit and based on a proposal by the Netherlands, at its 133rd Ministerial Session of May 2024, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided that: “18. in pursuit of a relentless fight against corruption and...
Moldovan prison professionals completed training of trainers on care and treatment of persons with substance use disorders in custodial settings
A five-day training of trainers (ToT) on the care and treatment of people with substance use disorders in closed institutions was conducted in the village of Costești, near Chișinău, Republic of Moldova. Organised by the Pompidou Group, this initiative marked a significant step forward in...
Another group of prison medical and non-medical staff was trained on implementing Opioid Agonist Treatment in Ukrainian custodial settings
Since 2018, the Pompidou Group has been supporting Ukraine in the implementation of Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) in prisons. Building on this ongoing collaboration and with the support of the Council of Europe’s project “Towards more humane detention conditions and reduced reoffending in...
Promoting healthier youth by addressing the risks of online gambling and gaming – Kick-off meeting of new project in nine EU countries
The first meeting of the Advisory Group of the Project “Promoting the mental health of children and youth by addressing the risks of online gambling and gaming” took place online on 13 December 2024. Started on 1 October 2024, this new project will support the national authorities of Croatia,...
Moldovan prison professionals completed training on ethics and the right to health in the context of drug treatment in the penitentiary
On 28-29 November 2024, the Council of Europe Pompidou Group, in co-operation with the National Administration of Penitentiaries of the Republic of Moldova, held a two-day training in Chișinău on ethics, healthcare and mitigating the influence of subcultures in the prison environment. The...
30th meeting of the MedNET Steering Committee
On 27-28 November, the 30th MedNET steering committee meeting took place in Belgium at the Council of Europe Liaison office to the EU located in Brussels. Six Southern Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine* and Tunisia) have presented the state of progress of the...
Pompidou Group hosts Second Annual Law Enforcement Conference: Drug Control Networks
The Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) is holding its Second Annual Law Enforcement Conference: Drug Control Networks in Strasbourg from 19-21 November 2024. This event brings together participants from the police, customs, justice, private...
Application open: 2025 edition of the Drug Policy Executive Course - Comprehensive Advanced Course for senior managers
The Pompidou Group’s International Drug Policy Academy is now launching the call for participation in its unique Drug Policy Executive Course. This comprehensive advanced course in drug policy is designed for professionals who work as managers and senior team members in the area of drug policies...