After fifteen years of being in force, the National Plan on Drugs had to be adjusted to the always changing reality of drug-addiction, above all in view of the important transformations this phenomenon has undergone in the last few years. On the other hand, the international commitments accepted by Spain also made this necessary.
Thus, the 20th Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, held in June, 1998, approved a declaration in which all States were asked to prepare national strategies to achieve a series of objectives centring on two dates: the years 2003 and 2008. In accordance with the above, the Government Delegation for the NPD decided to prepare a document which would clearly and with precision include the aims and objectives to be reached in those dates in the different intervention areas of the Plan.
In the preparation of that document, called National Strategy, all Autonomous Plans on Drugs have participated as well as several organs of the Central Administration and Non-Governmental Organizations. The National Strategy was approved by the Council of Ministers via a Royal Decree in December, 1999. The characteristics of the National Strategy which is really an up-date of the National Plan on Drugs approved in 1985 can be summarized in ten points:
1. A plan of participation and integration It is a plan open to the participation of the Public Administrations, institutions and sectors of society as a whole interested in drug problems and integrating all necessary strategies to face this phenomenon: from prevention, rehabilitation and insertion of those affected to the control of the drug offer.
2. A global plan The National Strategy approaches the drug phenomenon from a global perspective, which means incorporating all substances that may be the object of use or abuse, with special attention the alcohol and tobacco.
3. Generalizing prevention at school The National Strategy gives priority to the prevention as the most important strategy to confront the drug problem and very especially takes into account weekend leisure consumption. It proposes prevention fundamentally based on education and the healthy use of leisure by the young. In this sense it advocates generalizing preventive programmes for the school population as a whole, surmounting isolated and individual activities and giving priority to high-risk groups.
4. Prevention in the work place The establishment of collaboration agreements is promoted between Autonomous Plans on Drugs and Unions as well as employers’ associations, similar to that already in existence in the national level and directed to promoting the prevention of drug addiction in the work place. The programmes will give priority to production sectors and groups of workers in risk situations as well as to those with a work activity entailing a risk for third parties – drivers of public transport vehicles, security professionals, etc
5. Standardized health service for drug addicts A fundamental objective of the National Strategy consists of standardizing the health service network for drug addicts, integrating them in a coordinated manner in the Public Health Systems and Social Services. The different resources (both public and non-public) which belong to the so-called Health Service and Social Integration Systems of Drug Addicts must be duly authorized and/or accredited and they must be characterized by their professionalism, interdisciplinary nature and easy accessibility This system will continue to emphasize the harm reduction programmes and incorporate strategies to approach the treatment of problems related to alcohol, new drugs and new consumption patterns.
6. Full health coverage In accordance with this new Plan, the National Health System guarantees full ambulatory health service to drug addicts in the territory of their Community or Autonomous City and within the health area of their place of residence. It also contemplates that after fulfilling the needs of universal health service coverage, special attention be given to the lack of equality and very especially to those groups of drug addicts who do not get in touch with the health service network.
7. Work integration of drug addicts Concrete measures are propose to make it easier for people with problems caused by the use of drugs – be they under treatment or not – to rejoin society as active members. To this end, the Autonomous Plans on Drugs and the towns with more than 20,000 inhabitants will have standardized or specific training and employment programmes for drug addicts. These programmes will be carried out in collaboration with the Public Employment Agencies.
8. Research and training The National Drug Research and Training Institute is to be created dependent on the Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs. This Institute will promote the putting into operation and consolidation of stable research teams and the action areas to be given preference will be defined. In a similar way, the suitability and appropriateness of the training content for professionals and volunteers will be ensured. Training is planned to be organized on three levels: on a pre-graduate and post-graduate university level and for up-dating and recycling.
9. The Spanish Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. The National Strategy develops the possibilities of the Spanish Monitoring Centre by promoting new information and evaluation systems. Monitoring Centres for Drugs and Drug Addiction will also be set up in all Autonomous Communities.
10. Control of the Offer The control of the illicit drug supply will be strengthened in three basic ways: Adjustment of the legal framework to the activities of drug traffic and the laundering of goods produced thereby. Coordination and strengthening of specialized research units of the State Security Forces and Bodies. Increase of the drug traffic control in certain places and times of the year with a special increase of this activity.
