Ethical perspectives in caring for people living with addictions: The European experience

Abstract

European policy and practice in caring for people living with addictions is based on defined values (human rights, medical ethics) and on research evidence for the effects and impact of interventions. The focus of the paper is on risk management approaches to reduce the negative consequences of continued illicit drug use, being the ethically most debatable issue. The legal and policy positions are set by the European Council and Commission, and their translation into practice is documented centrally in the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction, showing the general trends as well as national differences. The European experience with the risk management approaches is presented in terms of research evidence on their effects and side-effects; this evidence is justifying the present practice. The perspectives for the future are set to follow the same lines, in a continued effort to find a balance of interests, in cooperation of authorities and civil society, and guided by ongoing research.