Drugs and decision-making in the European Union

Drugs are a perennial topic within the institutions of the European Union - the Commission, Council and Parliament. The "drug problem" is also regularly tabled on the agenda of the European Council, the blannual summit of the government leaders of the fifteen member states. The E.U. systematically brings drug-related issues into virtually all of its political dialogues with Third World countries and regional organizations. It even stresses the importance of anti-drug measures as part of trade agreements and development cooperation. By such means, the European Union has become an important player in the world of international drug control. This book gives an overview of the European Union's antidrug measures and focuses on its decision-making process. It looks at why drugs have acquired a prominent position on the European political agenda and identifies the political function they serve in terms of domestic drug policy and international relations. This study shows that instead of solving the drug problem, the European Union's bureaucracy actually helps to keep it alive and well.