EUDA's Finnish Focal Point collects and analyses information on the drug situation in Finland and disseminates the latest drug-related information both nationally and internationally. The Focal Point was established in 1995.
The Focal Point is one of the national focal points of European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). EUDA assists EU institutions and Member States in anticipating and responding to drug-related threats. EUDA is one of the EU's decentralised agencies. It was established in 1993 and is based in Lisbon. The Finnish Focal Point has successfully passed an assessment conducted by EUDA, based on EU Regulation (2023/1322) governing the agency.
Finland also participates in Reitox, a drug information network operating in cooperation with EUDA. It consists of national focal points in different countries. The name Reitox comes from the French title of the network: "Réseau Européen d'Information sur les Drogues et les Toxicomanies".
Goals
EUDA's Finnish Focal Point coordinates the reporting of Finland's drug situation to the EUDA. National focal points are the EUDA's primary data providers. An integral part of the agency's management structure, the national focal points are empowered within their countries as EUDA ambassadors, forming the interface with customers at national level.
The Reitox network ensures a comprehensive and harmonised approach to reporting on drugs in Europe.
Information on the drug situation in Europe is collected using key indicators defined by EUDA, which include:
- the prevalence of drug use
- the prevalence of problem drug use
- drug-related infectious diseases
- drug-related deaths
- drug treatment.
Implementation
EUDA's Finnish Focal Point reports annually to EUDA on Finland's drug situation in cooperation with its partners. Information on drugs and their use is collected and reported through statistical tables, reports, questionnaires and ad hoc surveys.
Activities coordinated by the focal point:
- reports on Finland's drug situation
- participation in Early warning system on new psychoactive substances (EWS)
- participation in the European Drug Alert System (EDAS)
- participation in EUDA’s network of forensic and toxicological laboratories
- data collection on the drug situation using EUDA’s key indicators
- promotion of information exchange and other national and European cooperation
- dissemination of information on the European drug situation.
Funding
EUDA, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Partners
Finnish Customs, Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, National Bureau of Investigation, Poison Information Centre/HUS, Prison and Probation Service Finland, Statistics Finland
Contact details
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