Albania Hosts Workshop to Strengthen Drug Policy Alignment with EU Standards

UNDP Albania

September 19, 2025

Albania Hosts Workshop to Strengthen Drug Policy Alignment with EU Standards

UNDP Albania

Tirana, 19 September 2025 — In a significant step forward for Albania’s drug policy reform, UNDP Albania, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Interior, and the French Embassy in Tirana, convened a technical workshop to accelerate the country’s alignment with European Union drug policy standards.

The event brought together national authorities and international experts, including representatives from France’s MILDECA (Mission Interministérielle de Lutte contre les Drogues et les Conduites Addictives) and UNDP regional expertise, to discuss Albania’s institutional progress, identify technical gaps, and exchange EU and global best practices and principles in this field.

The Ambassador of France to Albania Catherine Suard, underlined how relevant and timely this workshop is in view of the requirements for EU accession (chapter 24). She reiterated France's full support to this process and praised the participation of Dr. Nicolas Prisse, President of the MILDECA, the French Interministerial Mission for the Fight against Drugs and Addictive Behaviors whose methodology and performance are widely recognized. She welcomed the commitment of the Albanian authorities to develop a powerful tool for an evidence-based public and integrated policy aimed at contributing to a safer and healthier society. To this end, she reaffirmed the crucial importance of international and European cooperation and peer-to-peer exchanges, which the French Embassy in Albania will continue to promote.

The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection Entela Ramasocaj said: Over the past years, Albania has taken decisive steps to modernize and strengthen its drug policy framework, in full alignment with European standards. The establishment of the National Drug Observatory is not just an administrative achievement, but a cornerstone of our reform agenda. It represents our national commitment to evidence-based policymaking, transparency, and to bringing Albania’s efforts in line with the European Union acquis and the standards of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. This is a strong message of our dedication to building resilient, people-centered policies that protect public health and security.

The President of MILDECA, Nicolas Prisse highlighted: Combating drugs requires the mobilization of all, given their impact on health, education, security, and public finances. A cooperative and coordinated interinstituional approach, both at the national and local levels, is essential.

Randi Davis, UNDP Resident Representative in Albania.

UNDP Albania

The establishment of the National Drug Observatory under the Ministry of Health and the Early Warning System under the State Police are important achievements,” said Randi Davis, UNDP Resident Representative in Albania. “These structures signal a shift from reactive measures to a strategic, evidence-based, and cross-sectoral response to the challenges posed by drugs and addiction. We are fortunate to learn from one of Europe’s most experienced models, MILDECA, and from international guidelines on drug policy and human rights. Today’s workshop is our chance to adapt and localize those best practices to the Albanian context”.

"I would like to underline the value of this seminar and the importance of sharing experiences- particularly those such as the French model, which stands out as one of the best practices in the field of prevention. Given the deeply transnational nature of drug production, trafficking, and use, our efforts must also be interconnected and based on proven models of success", said Margarita Vogli, Head, Sector for Policies against Organized Crime and Anti-Terrorism, Ministry of Interior.

Albania has made progress in institutionalizing evidence-based monitoring and inter-agency coordination. The 2019 Working Arrangement with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction—now the European Union Drug Agency (EUDA)—laid an early foundation for aligning with EU standards. Yet, challenges remain in fully integrating health, law enforcement, and social services under a single, unified national strategy.

The EU Drugs Strategy 2021–2025 provides the overarching framework guiding EU Member States and candidate countries in developing balanced and evidence-based responses. It prioritizes harm reduction, access to treatment, robust monitoring systems, and early warning mechanisms for threats such as synthetic opioids and new psychoactive substances. For Albania, adopting this approach is particularly crucial as the country advances on its EU accession path.

Central to the workshop agenda was a commitment to practical exchange. Experts explored how to operationalize the National Drug Observatory and the Early Warning System in line with EUDA and international standards. Participants also identified institutional needs and technical gaps, set clear priorities for effective policy reform.

This workshop marked a crucial moment in Albania’s journey toward a modern, integrated, and rights-centered drug policy. With expert guidance, cross-ministerial collaboration, and lessons drawn from European best practices, Albania is laying the groundwork for a safer, healthier, and more resilient society.