Muligheter og Begrensninger i Den Europeiserte Narkotikapolitikken

Abstract

The Treaty of the European Union (EU) strengthened the role of EU as an arena for and an actor in development of European drug policy. The article describes the judicial, political and organisational conditions for a Europeification of the drug policies of the Member States. The three pillars of the Treaty separate the policy areas into sectors with different governing principles and different potentials for harmonisation. Furthermore the article is focusing on the increasing local differences in national drug policies. As long as the European Union's competencies in law enforcement and public health policies are weak, these differences most likely will increase rather than move toward harmonisation. In the sector dealing with drug issues, national governments lose influence due to the increase of power at local level and European level. In spite of the limitations of the formal competencies in most sectors, an important institutionalisation of the field has taken place through establishment of EUROPOL, the European Drug Monitoring Centre, growth of the Commission's own expertise and the adoption of some Directives on drug-related issues.