The 71st meeting of the Heads of National Focal Points of the European information network on drugs and drug addiction (REITOX) was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 19 to 21 November 2024. The meeting was attended by representatives of 27 REITOX countries, Norway, Türkiye and European Commission.
The main topics of the meeting:
Plenary session I: Updates on activities
The Reitox Spokesperson provided a summary of the pre-Reitox meeting. Regarding the financing of activities, several countries anticipate a decrease in their budgets for the coming year and expressed a concern regarding the financing of additional tasks. The network emphasised the need for clarity on the format of next year’s meetings, specifically whether they will be held in person or online. They reported the need to improve clarity regarding the role of national focal points (NFPs) and to enhance the EUDA-NFPs communication processes, as well as the need to better clarify the roles of other networks also involved in the related activities.
Plenary session II: Update on key recent and future policy and institutional developments
The Director provided an overview of the agency’s work since July. Many new activities were initiated in 2024 and will carry on into 2025 in consultation with the NFPs. In 2024, all NFPs managed to get the re-instated grant co-financing at national level, which was a good sign. Key initiatives include establishing the network of forensic laboratories, developing the drug alert and the threat assessment systems, the preparation of a new digital ecosystem. Regarding the Reitox alliance, there are no plans to introduce any new mandatory tasks in 2025. Drug-related homicide and prison data can be considered for 2026, as they are priorities for the EU action plan
The representative from the European Commission provided an update on key EU policy developments. For 2025, the Commission plans to draft an Internal Security Strategy and a specific action plan on drug trafficking. Work continues on implementing the EU Roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime, with positive results already observed in enhancing port security. A dedicated technical exchange was held with China to address threats posed by synthetic drugs and to exchange on drug demand reduction activities. The evaluation of
the EU Drug Strategy is ongoing, with the final evaluation expected in the first semester of 2025. Based on the results, the Commission will work on a new policy framework.
Plenary session III: Plenary on NFPs and civil society cooperation
Regarding collaboration with civil society organisations, a roadmap is being developed to define the framework for cooperation between EUDA and civil society organisations, as required by the agency’s new mandate. An initial meeting was held on October 22 with representatives from civil society organisations on the margins of the Lisbon Addictions Conference.
Plenary session IV: National reporting package
No changes were introduced to the templates of the workbooks, the standard tables, or the reporting deadlines.
The last EU-DRID guidance documents were published in 2013. Since then, many developments have impacted the monitoring of DRID. A survey conducted among the DRID network confirmed the need to update the DRID protocol. In response, a toolkit has been developed, which includes a technical protocol, a collection of best practice examples for monitoring DRID in Europe, and two example questionnaires.
A new ICT operating model is being developed, with several key highlights planned for 2025. These include the modernisation of our databases and the adoption of a cloud strategy, conducting a business analysis to initiate the EUDA digital transformation programme, and establishing new framework contracts for ICT outsourcing, in collaboration with a consultant to support the EUDA’s digital transformation.
Plenary session V: Marketplace
Four topics were addressed in a marketplace format: the European laboratories network, drug-related homicides, precursors, and foresight capacity.
- For the European laboratories network, it was agreed to keep the network informed by sharing relevant documents on Connect.
- Regarding the drug-related violence conference organised in Brussels on end of November, the call for action that will be shared with the network. On drug-related homicides, NFPs will be invited to contribute to the inventory of data sources, and a workshop will be organised in the second half of next year to support this effort. Additionally, NFPs will be asked to nominate counterparts from their respective
countries to engage in this work. - For precursors, the network will continue to be updated on developments and reporting requirements, particularly for Türkiye and Norway.
- Concerning foresight capacity, the agency will continue to explore opportunities for involving NFPs in related activities.
Plenary session VI: Scientific activities
The three topics listed below were addressed in parallel sessions.
- Threat assessment: The feedback on the pilot with Baltic countries will be shared at the next HNFP meeting, along with the technical report, and a call to participate in the JWG will be launched at the same time.
- Reporting and dissemination of health and social responses: The group discussed changes in the context of the new mandate. The PLATO platform will be scaled up, with tailored training sessions provided. Examples of work areas and activities under the pillars of preparedness, monitoring, and competence development were also shared. The health and social responses network meeting will be included in the list of meetings for next year, and invitations will be sent to the network.
- Prisons data collection: The group discussed challenges, best practices for data collection, and the way forward, and discussion will continue within the framework of the new Reitox Alliance.
Plenary session VII: RTX Alliance
Ten working group meetings were held between January and November 2024. The topics discussed included NFPs’ tasks, grant agreements and co-financing rules. Next steps will include a special meeting in January, with the JWG members and a few volunteering NFPs. The March technical meeting and the May HNFP meeting will also focus on the Reitox Alliance. In 2025, the primary focus will be drafting the Reitox Alliance document and addressing financing issues, with adoption planned for December. A first draft of the Reitox Alliance document is expected to be ready by spring 2025.
The questionnaire on the financing of activities revealed that the majority of NFPs anticipate a stable budget situation for 2025 however a few mentioned a probable decrease of the financial resources in the short run. Regarding mandatory tasks, 15 NFPs expressed a preference to retain the current co-financing system with a re-partition of 50%-50%; for the complementary tasks, the majority of NFPs would prefer a higher contribution from the EUDA than from the national budget, given the national financial perspectives.
Plenary session VIII: Certification-assessment of NFPs
According to the new regulation, all NFPs must be assessed by July 2026. Thirteen countries have already been certified, and more countries are in the pipeline for the certification. The current certification process will continue using the current methodology until July 2026. At the same time, the process will be reviewed with the Reitox network and other EUDA units. The second round of assessments, starting after July 2026, will already follow the updated methodology and tools.
Plenary session X: Communication and NFPs branding
The portfolio of activities that will remain a focus in 2025 includes the website as a hub for information, news, data, and visualisations; digital communications, such as social media, videos, and newsletters; media outreach through news releases, press launches, and media relations; digital-first products and services; in-person and online events like conferences, webinars, and product launches; and support services for staff and NFPs, including advice, training, and technical support. NFPs are expected to be involved in various areas, such as sharing information about planned activities and events, contributing to a content release strategy, expanding the product portfolio and actively promoting each other’s work.
A presentation was given on the development of the NFPs branding toolkit. The Agency’s manifesto has been translated, videos produced, social media handles updated. For events, a standard roll-up design will also be created. Since the summer, the branding work has progressed to phase two, focusing on visual identity. A ppt template for NFPs to present themselves as EUDA NFPs will be prepared.
Plenary session ХI: International cooperation activities
EUDA will chair the Justice and Home Affairs Agencies Network in 2026, with priorities for the presidency still to be developed. Regarding the UNODC working agreement, an initial meeting has taken place, and an update has been published on Connect. The section on data submission to the UN system by Member States is particularly relevant, as it impacts NFPs. The renegotiated working arrangement will include on this as well as other topics of common interest. The network was also informed about a request from Iceland to participate in the work of the Agency. A presentation on the new international cooperation framework (IC) was delivered and the results from the corresponding feedback survey were shared.
Source: Final minutes, 71st meeting of Reitox Heads of National Focal Points, EUDA