The European Union and Chile took a significant step forward in addressing drug-related challenges today, with the signing of a Working Arrangement between the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and the Servicio Nacional para la Prevención y Rehabilitación del Consumo de Drogas y Alcohol (SENDA)(1).
The agreement was signed in Santiago de Chile by EUDA Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel, and National Director of SENDA, Natalia Riffo Alonso. Following a favourable opinion of the European Commission, the EUDA Management Board mandated the Executive Director to sign the agreement in June 2024. It underscores a mutual commitment to tackling drug issues, building on previous collaboration established under the COPOLAD III programme.
Under today's agreement, the EUDA and SENDA will cooperate in strengthening the Chilean drug information system and National Drug Observatory, as the basis for effective drug policy and action. They will also exchange expertise and data on new psychoactive substances (establishing a national early-warning system on drugs), as well as exchange experience in health and social responses to drug problems.
The agreement will contribute to the EU’s preparedness to face drug-related threats, an issue of particular relevance given the EUDA’s new mandate. The information obtained through the arrangement will provide both parties with valuable new insights into current and future drug problems and contribute to their ongoing strategic goals.
Chile is one of the countries participating in the ongoing COPOLAD III programme. In April 2023, the EUDA organised, with SENDA and CICAD/OAS, a capacity-building event for Latin American and Caribbean countries, covering wastewater analysis, web surveys and early-warning systems. The EUDA is also providing targeted technical support for the design of a wastewater study in Chile under COPOLAD III.
