Since the adoption of the first European Drug Strategy 2000–2004, the EU clearly defines drug-related problems as primarily being a Public Health issue. This approach was also endorsed recently by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) countries through the OAS Hemispheric drug strategy 2011–15. In both cases, DDR policies are considered essential to develop a balanced approach in the field of drug policy. The implementation of such a balance is still a challenge for the CELAC region.

COPOLAD brings a unique opportunity to support the CELAC region in the practical...