German National Strategy on Drug and Addiction Policy

"On 15 February 2012, the 'National Strategy on Drug and Addiction Policy', as announced in the last REITOX report, was passed by the Federal Cabinet (Bundeskabinett) (see also REITOX Report 2011). This policy replaces the 'Action Plan Drug and Addiction' from 2003 (Die Drogenbeauftragte der Bundesregierung 2012b)6. According to the National Strategy, the aim of the drug and addiction policy remains the reduction of consumption of legal and illegal addictive substances as well as the prevention of drug and addiction related problems in society. The National Strategy sees itself as a health political guideline for a modern drug and addiction policy in Germany. It formulates the areas of focus and addiction political challenges with drug and addiction policy taking into account current developments, the existing addiction support system, the surrounding legal framework and proven concepts in addiction prevention. The Strategy also draws on international initiatives and activities on a European level as well as on the level of the WHO and the United Nations. The National Strategy on drug and addiction policy is, in terms of its targets and intentions, a part of the Federal Government’s general prevention strategy in the area of drug and addiction policy which is currently being prepared. Both strategies stress the central importance of health promotion and prevention in the overall health politics. In this context, Germany has at its disposal many years’ experience with successful measures of universal, selective and indicated prevention and sets its focus on children and adolescents, in order to promote healthy development at an early stage, as well as on adults, to preserve their health.
"Within these strategies, quality and efficiency assured measures are designed enduringly to secure or improve health and quality of life and meet current challenges resulting, amongst other things, from the demographic changes in an aging population. In this, prevention is given central importance alongside existing offers of counselling and treatment, cessation assistance, measures to reduce ill effects as well as law enforcement."