Marlene Mizzi appointed S&D rapporteur on drugs

Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi has been appointed as the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) rapporteur on the Commission’s proposal for a new directive, regulating the minimum provisions of criminal acts and penalties in the field of illicit drug trafficking. 

The Commission’s proposal for a new directive is intended to regulate new psychoactive substances, which imitate the effects of controlled drugs and are often marketed as legal alternatives. 

These drugs are becoming increasingly available and popular within the European Union.  Although legal, these substances have the same negative effects as other drugs.

This is Marlene Mizzi’s fourth rapporteurship on behalf of the S&D group since her election to the European Parliament.

“It is always an honour to be appointed as rapporteur by one’s political group on different issues. The fight against substance abuse must be taken seriously. As politicians we have the duty to defend and protect our society from harmful substance abuse. We must ensure that such substances are legally controlled and monitored,” Mizzi said in a statement.

Under this new proposal, psychoactive substances which pose severe health, social and safety risks to individuals and society would be covered by criminal law provisions in order to detere their trafficking, production and distribution.