The project is being financed by the European Commission within CARDS 2004 project with 800,000 euros. An additional 200,000 euros will be spent for computer equipment needed by the National Information Unit.
The 18-month project is aimed at preparing Croatia for participation in the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in Lisbon and the European Information Network on Drugs and Drug Addiction (REITOX).
Partners in the project are the Government's Office for Drug Prevention and the German Health Ministry.
The launching of the project was attended by Croatian Deputy PM and head of the Commission for Drug Abuse, Jadranka Kosor, Interior Minister Ivica Kirin, the head of the European Commission Delegation to Croatia, Vincent Degert, and the permanent deputy to the German Ambassador to Croatia, Laurids Hoelscher.
Kosor said that there were 22,360 registered drug addicts in Croatia and that 6,668 had undergone medical treatment.
Degert said that 27 percent of young people in Croatia were using drugs, and that 21 percent of young people in the EU were drug users.
Another project, aimed at developing capacities in the area of illegal migrations, was wrapped up today.
Over the last 15 months, the Interior Ministry adapted the Law on Aliens to European standards, increased security standards at the reception centre Jezevo, and trained some 100 experts for the prevention of illegal migrations. The project cost EUR1.15 million.