Extending the powers of the EMCDDA, the new EU Drugs Agency has been designed to monitor drug-related phenomena, evaluate health and security risks, formulate timely alerts for emerging substances, establish an EU drug alert system, collaborate with national focal points, and engage in ongoing dialogue with civil society stakeholders.
Health Minister Roberto Speranza places ayahuasca components in the most restrictive scheduling, a decision that flies in the face of expert and scientific opinion.
The Council of the European Union approves the regional bloc's new Strategy, based on supply reduction, demand reduction and addressing drug-related harm.
The Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission proposes a change in drug policy priorities, but critics riposte that a public-health-minded drug war is still a drug war.
The African Union presents its priorities in relation to drug control, including with regard to human rights, criminal justice reform, and alternative development.
The summit will provide an update on the ongoing government review of the drug situation, which will crucially discuss the effectiveness of available interventions.