In April 2010, Malta will be hosting the ‘European Cities Against Drugs’ (ECAD) Mayors’ Conference. Participation is estimated to over 200 representatives of the ECAD Member cities, non-member cities, non-governmental organisations, government representatives and researchers.

This decision was announced by Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information, in the presence of Jörgen Sviden, ECAD Director. The ECAD Mayors’ Conference is held in cooperation with a host city and takes place annually in one of the European countries affiliated to this organisation.

The Local Council of Pembroke has been an affiliated member of this pan-European organisation since 1999. The Local Council’s proposal to have this meeting organised in Gozo next year, with the assistance of the Parliamentary Secretariat of Public Dialogue and Information, was accepted by ECAD. At present 15 officials forming part of the ECAD’s advisory committe are in Malta to co-ordinate this event together the Parliamentary Secretariat and Pembroke Local Council.

The purpose of the conference is to strengthen, through international co-operation and exchange, the work against the abuse of illicit drugs on local, national and international levels. The conference contributes to raising awareness about drug-related issues in the hosting country and promotes experience, exchange and scientific update which benefits the local anti-drug work.

“It is our intention to have all the 68 Maltese local councils participating in this conference and become active members of this organisation, together with a large number of representatives from foreign cities and towns who will be purposely in Malta to exhange knowledge and best practice. Moreover we shall be collaborating with the national entities and NGOs working in the fied of drug prevention and abuse, and providing all necessary assistance for this confernce to be a success,” stated Chris Said.

“Our task – creating a future without drugs for the citizens of our cities – is one of the crucial ones for democracy and well-being of our societes,” said Jörgen Sviden.

Today ECAD members include 264 cities in 30 European countries. Its member cities work to develop initiatives and efforts against drug abuse supporting the UN Conventions which oppose legalisation of presently illicit drugs. The organisation develops and maintains contacts with local, regional and national governments, the EU, the United Nations and other international bodies to actively represent interests of ECAD member cities aimed at intensified counteraction of drugs.

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