Abstract: The Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme began in 1988, and was aimed at measuring the distribution of infection, especially HIV, in accessible groups of the adult population. The programme provides estimates of HIV infection among groups in whom a substantial proportion of infections are undiagnosed and therefore not ascertained by other surveillance systems. Essential public health information on the prevalence of HIV infection in these groups cannot be obtained any other way. This report summarises programme data to the end of 2001.

Abstract: The report assesses the risks of PMMA, especially in association with the already controlled substance PMA (para-methoxyamphetamine). PMMA, is an amphetamine-like substance very close to PMA, and is almost exclusively sold in tablet form in combination with the latter and consumed as ‘ecstasy’. It has been associated, in combination with PMA, with three deaths in the EU. PMMA is devoid of any therapeutic value. Further to the conclusions of the EMCDDA risk assessment, on 28 February 2002, the Council of the European Union adopted a unanimous decision defining the new synthetic drug PMMA (para-methoxymethylamphetamine) as a substance to be placed under control measures and criminal penalties in the EU Member States.

Abstract: Since the mid-1990s, GHB – widely used in human and veterinary medicine for 30 years – has been surfacing as a recreational drug. Some EU countries have reported worries over GHB’s surreptitious use in sexual assaults. Although the extent of this is unknown, the EMCDDA and its risk-assessment partners are recommending that Member States consider the role of GHB and other drugs in this area. The risk-assessment exercise was carried out in 2000 in the framework of the Joint action on new synthetic drugs. In March 2001, the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council adopted formal conclusions that Member States should monitor this drug closely. This publication records the findings and conclusions of the exercise. Among others, it draws together the various elements used to assess the substance including: the final risk-assessment report; contributions from Europol and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products; a review of pharmacotoxicological data; epidemiological evidence on the associated public-health risks and sociological and criminological evidence.