Italian national focal point

The Department for Anti-Drug Policies was set up at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers by means of the first decree of the President of the Council of Ministers of 20 June 2008, and placed under the functional responsibility of the Prime Ministerial Under-Secretary with delegated responsibility for drugs. The Department’s role is to promote, guide and coordinate the Government’s initiatives to combat the spread of drug and alcohol dependency and to promote cooperation with the competent public administrations in the sector, associations, therapeutic communities and other non-governmental organisations. The Italian national focal point is located in the Department, and is responsible for collecting, processing and interpreting data and information of a statistical-epidemiological, pharmacological-clinical, and psychosocial nature and for documentation on the use, abuse, dealing and trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances. The Department is also responsible for collaboration with the European Union and international bodies operating in the sector. The national focal point is an integral part of the Department’s technical and scientific division.