Czech National Policy on Addictions and Priorities of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2022

The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU (CZ PRES) takes place from 1 July to 31 December 2022 in difficult times. EU Member States are currently facing several challenges, including the impact of the health, economic, energy and social crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The latest European Drug Report launched by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction in June 2022 highlights the high availability of drugs in the European region and the emergence of new substances posing health risks, but also the increasing diversification of cannabis products and cannabis policies in Europe. This issue of the “Zaostřeno” (Focused) bulletin summarizes the most important information concerning the history, current state of play and perspectives of the Czech addiction policy, its objectives and principles, coordination and results. It includes an overview of the situation and trends in substance use, gambling and other forms of risk behaviour.