The mechanism of the European Union in combating drugs as a component of ensuring public health

The article focuses on the issue of the existing mechanism of the European Union in combating drugs as a component of ensuring public health. Attention is focused on the EU legislation aimed at criminalizing illegal acts related to combating drug trafficking, in particular directives, strategic acts, etc. Attention is focused on EU measures to protect the health of people addicted to drugs, with non­criminalized measures, including: prevention, treatment and provision of care services; combating drug-related harm; psychoactive drug use disorders and mental health problems. Attention is paid to specialized agencies, bodies, structures of the EU related to the fight against drugs and the protection of the right to health. It is emphasized that EU measures correspond to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular: SDG 3 - Targets 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.9 (3.b), 3.9 (3.d), SDG 15 - Targets 5.1, 5.2, SDG 16 - Target 16 .b, SDG 17 - Targets 17.9, 17.16. It is noted that the EU and its member states are adopting legal, strategic and operational measures to reduce the supply and demand for drugs in Europe, and to address security and health problems related to drug trafficking and use. It was noted that the policy of the EU, as well as the policy of the international community regarding drugs, was until recently based on drug control, primarily regarding the use and possession of drugs, the criminalization of drug trafficking, etc. At the current stage of the Union’s functioning, this vector is considered from the point of view of the impact on human health and the realization of the right to the highest attainable level of health guaranteed by international standards. It was concluded that despite the titanic efforts of all involved entities, the drug problem in the EU is not solved, there is a number of issues that require titanic efforts, which is also confirmed by the European Drug Report 2024. The existing problems encourage the unification of international efforts in combating drugs in order to preserve the health of the population of the Planet and future generations.