National Drugs Information Unit and International Relations Department (NDIU), as one of two basic organizational units of the Office for Combating Narcotic Drugs Abuse (OCDA), has a key role in collecting information on the drugs issue from relevant institutions in order to objectively show the situation in the field of drugs and drug addiction in the Republic of Croatia. In addition to founding the NDIU, the National Strategy envisages the creation of a system for rapid exchange of data on production, trade, use and risks of new psychoactive substances in order to prevent their negative effects, react on time in case of new substances on the market and achieve rapid communication between the competent authorities at national and European level. Therefore, the NDIU has initiated the creation of network of Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances in the Republic of Croatia and has predicted mechanisms for coordinating its activities.

 

Namely, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted the Joint Action concerning the exchange of information, risk assessment and control of new synthetic drugs in 1997, as the basis for the development of early warning mechanism which was extended to all new psychoactive substances by adopting the Council Decision in 2005. The main objective of the EU Early Warning System is to provide:

Subsequently, the Croatian Government at its session held on 2 November 2007 adopted the Protocol on Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances in the Republic of Croatia, thus establishing a mechanism for the discovery of new psychoactive substances, communication and information sharing at national level, but also with relevant EU bodies. The document is fully aligned with the acquis communautaire in this area and will contribute to the further development of the National Drugs Information System and strengthening the partnership between the competent authorities.

 

The EU Early Warning System is coordinated by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCCDA) while at national level it is under the charge of the NDIU. In line with the above, Europol and the Europol National Unit which was established at the Department of International Police Cooperation of the Ministry of Interior play an important role.

 

Participation in the current EU Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances and parallel adjustment of the national list of illegal drugs are necessary for the effective implementation of penal policy. The main principle of the Croatian Early Warning System is committed cooperation between all relevant partners on a permanent and ad hoc basis by using a multidisciplinary approach and specific expertise in identifying new substances and risk assessment.

 

Protocol on Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances in the Republic of Croatia defines the concept of early warning system, coordination structure, partners, sources and types of relevant information and communication mechanisms at national and European level.

 

 

I.    Level – NDIU acts as the national coordinator of the Early Warning System in Croatia. As such, it is responsible for managing cooperation among national partners, further development of the Early Warning System, planning and supervision over the implementation of planned activities, information gathering and dissemination, reporting and direct communication with the EMCDDA taking into account procedures described in the relevant legal documents. The NDIU provides Early Warning Correspondent to the EMCDDA. Europol National Unit is responsible for reporting to the Europol Drugs Unit as required by relevant legal documents, while at national level it assists the NDIU in its coordinative function.

 

II.    Level – Advisory board to the NDIU is the Working Group on Early Warning System, which consists of representatives of key national bodies and institutions, non-governmental organizations and other recognized experts in the field. The Working Group meets regularly twice a year or ad hoc if necessary, upon the invitation of the National Drugs Information Unit. It advises the NDIU on the general policy of the Early Warning System in Croatia, communication strategy and further development, discusses current issues and trends that occur in the area, proposes measures, participates in the preparation of working documents and literature.

 

III.    Level – Key state institutions that participate in the work of the Working Group represent Core Early Warning System Network and provide assistance to the National Drugs Information Unit in collection and dissemination of information from services under their authority and / or other experts, drug users and the general population. As main partners of the NDIU in the National Early Warning System, they are required to continuously monitor emerging trends in their field, collect relevant information on possible new psychoactive substances, and promptly report to the NDIU. On the other hand, the NDIU will forward all relevant information and / or warnings received from national or EU partners to the Core Early Warning System Network.

 

IV.    Level – This level is considered to be Early Warning System at large and includes all relevant institutions, services, experts and professionals, the media, drug users and the general population, and all other parties that can provide information on new psychoactive or other hazardous substances that may pose health and / or social risks in Croatia. The NDIU will disseminate information that could be of interest to the Network, and shall undertake other measures in order to ensure efficient communication (e.g., expert platforms, publications on emerging trends and risks, telephone helpline, Internet forums, media messages / broadcastings, etc.).