The New EMCDDA Standard Table on Public Expenditure: a step forward in quantifying drug-related costs in Europe

Abstract

Aims: The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is a fundamental source of information on illegal drugs in Europe. The EMCDDA coordinates an information and exchange network in the 27 EU Member States, Norway, the European Commission and the candidate countries, called REITOX, the European Information Network on Drugs and Drug Addiction. Amongst other instruments, the EMCDDA and REITOX utilize standardised data collection forms (Standard Tables) to gather comparable information across countries. In response to the European Union Drugs Action Plan 2005–2008, a new Standard Table (STPE) has been developed to be used as regular monitoring tool of drug-related public expenditure in Europe.