Our COPOLAD III journey: building a stronger EU–LAC partnership on drugs

When our contribution to the COPOLAD III programme wrapped up in March this year, it marked the end of nearly three years of the latest collaboration between the European Union and Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countries in the drugs field (¹). But the story doesn't end there. Today, we are revisiting that journey and unveiling new resources, including a summary of the project results and a video capturing its added value. Here are some of the highlights under the four project components (²).

Strengthening National Drug Observatories and Early Warning Systems

One of the project's biggest achievements was in strengthening National Drug Observatories (NDOs) and Early Warning Systems (EWS). Countries across the region boosted their capacity in innovative monitoring methods, such as wastewater analysis and web surveys, helping them gather better and more timely information on drug trends. A highlight came in Jamaica, where COPOLAD supported the launch of the country's first national EWS, a milestone for the country. Key EUDA EWS publications were translated into Spanish to support developments of this kind. Experts from across the LAC region also joined European counterparts in annual key indicator meetings, ensuring that data collection methods are becoming more comparable across regions. The project helped advance understanding of cannabis regulation by supporting policy evaluation in Uruguay and Jamaica and by updating a study that mapped out the changes in cannabis policies in the Americas and the evidence emerging from evaluations of their impact.

Investing in prevention and health and social responses

The project also made important strides in demand reduction, with a focus on prevention and health and social responses. The European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) was adapted for the LAC context and delivered in three languages (see section 'Cultural adaptations' in English, Spanish and Portuguese), in so doing training more than 230 professionals and creating a virtual community of practice that continues to exchange expertise. In Brazil, COPOLAD III launched Evidência Viva, an online platform that gives practitioners access to evidence-based evaluated prevention interventions in Spanish and Portuguese. Miniguides on health and social responses were adapted to address issues such as women and drugs and cannabis, while a series of webinars sparked dialogue on challenges faced in prisons and by women. At the same time, the project opened doors for LAC professionals to engage with international peers, offering bursaries for training opportunities and conferences in Europe, including the European Drugs Winter and Summer Schools.

Tackling supply challenges together

On the supply side, the project addressed some of the region's most pressing drug market challenges. One event was an expert meeting on the chemical concealment of cocaine, leading to a technical report now available in several languages. Training delivered by the EUDA and CEPOL strengthened the use of strategic analyses in decision-making. In addition, a mapping exercise involving 19 LAC countries, provided a comprehensive overview of regional forensic capacity.

Enhancing bi-regional political dialogue

Throughout the project, political dialogue between the EU and LAC remained at the core.
COPOLAD III ensured that the topic of drugs stayed high on the bi-regional agenda, with strong representation at EU-CELAC meetings, annual COPOLAD gatherings, and steering committee sessions. To celebrate the achievements and share the voices of those involved, the final project video brings together highlights and testimonials from across both regions.

A look ahead

COPOLAD III may be over, but its impact is clear in the stronger bonds it established between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. As a key project under the EUDA International Cooperation Framework, it demonstrated what is possible when regions work together with a shared commitment: stronger institutions, improved capacity for monitoring and prevention, and a spirit of dialogue transcending borders. These results are not only milestones but also stepping stones towards further cooperation in addressing the complex challenges posed by the global drug phenomenon.