The Reitox network: frequently asked questions

This page brings together some of the most frequently asked questions about the Reitox network, how it functions, who are Reitox members and how to cooperate with, or participate in the network.

Further details can be found via the websites and other links provided in the Additional information section, at the end of this page.

The abbreviation ‘Reitox’ stands for the French ‘Réseau Européen d´Information sur les Drogues et les Toxicomanies’, and it is the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) information network on drugs and drug addiction, created at the same time as the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, which preceded the EUDA. EUDA was formally established in 2024 replacing the EMCDDA and has an extended remit and stronger role.

In 2024, the Reitox network became part of the the EUDA’s administrative and management structure. The working language of the network is English.

Who are the members of the Reitox network?

Members of the Reitox network are designated national institutions or agencies responsible for data collection and reporting on drugs and drug addiction in their countries. These institutions are called ‘national focal points’ (NFPs).

The Regulation governing the EUDA requires that each EU Member State or other country participating in the work of the Agency shall establish or designate one national focal point. This designated national focal point then becomes a member of the network, which currently includes the 27 EU Member States plus Norway, Türkiye and the European Commission.

What is the purpose of the EUDA NFP sub-brand logo?

The EUDA national focal points are a recognised sub-brand within the EUDA ecosystem, operating under its endorsement while retaining the independence needed to address national realities. As 'daughter brands', they represent EUDA in their countries and bring national expertise back to the agency, forming a dynamic two-way relationship.

The EUDA NFP logo aims to consolidate the interconnection between national focal points and the Agency and ensure a consolidated visual identity that can be clearly recognised nationally, and internationally. When communicating as a network, EUDA NFPs may also use a common slogan developed for joint visibility:

The EUDA [xxx] national focal point is part of the Reitox network, a key hub for collaboration and knowledge exchange in the drugs field. In this role, it curates and contextualises national information and contributes to situational analysis, early signal detection and policy development. This collaborative work increases European and international stakeholder understanding of current and emerging drug issues.

What does the EUDA NFP sub-brand logo symbolise?

The logo derives from the EUDA master motif and is inspired by the North Star and a navigational compass. It conveys the role of the focal points in providing direction, consistency and trusted insight.

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What is a national focal point and is there a difference with a national drugs observatory?

A national drugs observatory (NDO) is a generic term for an organisation that provides its country with factual, objective and comparable information concerning drugs and drug addiction and their consequences. In the context of the countries participating in the Reitox network we use the term national focal point (NFP), which is also used in the Regulation that defines the EUDA and its mandate, and in the EU drugs action plans to describe a set of roles and functions vis-à-vis the EU and the EUDA.  

Furthermore, the regulation states that the EUDA shall assess whether each NFP contributes to the tasks of the Agency by carrying out the activities described there. Such assessments shall not concern other functions of the body hosting the national focal point or the overall structure in which the national focal point is embedded. To know more about the assessment process, see 'Assessment of EUDA national focal points'.

What is the Reitox network’s main objective, vision and values?

The main objective of the Reitox network is described in the EUDA Regulation, which states that it shall ’contribute to the Agency’s task of collecting and reporting consistent and standardised information on the drugs phenomenon across the Union’.

The EUDA and the Reitox network have a shared vision: a commitment to ensuring that EU decision-makers, professionals and citizens are fully equipped to face the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving drug phenomenon, both today and in the future. Both are committed to the following core values:

• Scientific excellence;
• Integrity and impartiality;
• Customer focus and service orientation;
• Efficiency and sustainability.

What is the Reitox Alliance?

The Reitox Alliance is the new operating framework for cooperation between the national focal points and the EUDA, adopted in December 2025 by the EUDA Management Board. The Reitox Alliance is based on the EU Regulation 2023/1322, which defines the tasks and responsibilities to be fulfilled by the NFPs and the EUDA.

How is the Reitox network managed?

Daily management of the network is entrusted to the EUDA’s Reitox network coordination team, part of the Partnerships and innovation unit. Twice a year, the EUDA organises meetings for the Heads of national focal points to discuss and endorse data collection tools, reporting requirements for the upcoming reporting cycle and to further develop and consolidate the network and its members. The EUDA also maintains a digital platform where it shares most up-to-date information on the EUDA’s activities, reporting requirements and training opportunities for EUDA national focal points.

The network has a Spokesperson and deputy(ies) elected by the Heads of the NFPs. The Spokesperson has observer status on the EUDA’s Management Board, its main governing body, as well as on the EUDA’s Scientific Committee, its main advisory body. This ensures that the network members are aware of the agency’s main strategic and scientific developments and that the Reitox network can contribute to its decision-making process. Finally, the Reitox network coordination team and the Spokesperson’s team meet online regularly (monthly) to coordinate activities and exchange information relevant for the Agency and the network alike.

What are the functions of EUDA national focal points at European level?

The national focal points are key players in the Union’s drug monitoring and reporting system.

The regulation states that the NFPs shall form the interface, and support interactions, between the participating countries and the Agency. NFPs support the Agency in achieving its general and specific tasks (Articles 4 and 5), contributing to coordinated Union action and carry out the following tasks (Article 34):

• For the purpose of communicating those data to the Agency, coordinate at national level the activities related to drug-related data collection and monitoring;
• Collect relevant national data and information in the areas covered by Article 4, in accordance with the national reporting package referred to in Article 6(2) and transmit it to the Agency; in doing so, the NFP shall bring together experience from different sectors, in particular health, justice and law enforcement, and shall, wherever relevant, cooperate with experts and national organisations, the scientific community, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders active in the field of drugs policy;
• Contribute to monitoring drugs and drug use and reporting thereon, including to international organisations;
• Support, as appropriate, the development of new epidemiological data sources to further the timely reporting of trends in substance use;
• Support ad hoc and targeted data collection exercises in relation to new health and security threats;
• Provide the Agency with information on new trends and challenges in the use of existing psychoactive substances or new combinations of psychoactive substances which pose a potential risk to health and with information on possible measures related to health;
• Contribute to the exchange of information on, and the early warning system for, new psychoactive substances, in accordance with Chapter III;
• Contribute to the establishment of relevant indicators and datasets, including guidelines for their implementation, with a view to obtaining reliable and comparable information at Union level, in accordance with Article 6;
• Nominate, when requested by the Agency, national experts for specific discussions on relevant indicators and for other ad hoc and targeted data collection exercises;
• Promote the use of the internationally agreed data collection protocols and standards to monitor drugs and drug use in the country;
• Present an annual report of its activities to the Agency and other relevant stakeholders;
• Implement quality assurance mechanisms to ensure the reliability of the data and information it obtains.

In accordance with their capacity, the NFPs shall monitor, analyse and interpret relevant information in the areas covered by Article 4. The NFPs shall provide that information, and information on policies and solutions applied, to the Agency.

What types of information should EUDA national focal points provide to the EUDA and when?

Needs for information are varied, and NFPs have a horizontal role collecting and analysing, at national level, all relevant information on drugs, drug addiction and other areas as well as on policies and solutions applied. They bring together health, justice, law enforcement in cooperation with experts and national organisations active in the field of drugs.

NFPs contribute to the EUDA’s key role in the detection, risk and threat assessments and control of new psychoactive substances in the EU through early warning systems, and the European Drug Alert System (EDAS).

The monitoring system implies the collection of both quantitative data and qualitative information using different types of standardised data collection and reporting tools, either on an annual or ad hoc basis:

• Standard tables for quantitative data collection, reported to the EUDA;
• Workbooks which provide contextual information and complement the quantitative data reported through the other templates;
• Information on new psychoactive substances related to the detection and identification, use and patterns of use, manufacture, extraction, distribution and distribution methods, trafficking, and commercial, medical and scientific use of, and potential and identified risks posed by those substances.

What are the functions of EUDA national focal points at national level?

In addition to the multiple tasks assigned to NFPs in relation to the Agency, many of which are linked to the coordination of data collection, or the direct collection of data related to drugs and drug use, NFPs have additional responsibilities at national level, which vary according to each NFP. These may include preparing legal documents or advice and participating in meetings with policymakers, drafting national drug reports, conducting studies on drug-related topics, and monitoring drug responses such as treatment, prevention or harm reduction at the country level. Some NFPs also play a role in the monitoring and evaluation of their countries’ national drug strategy.

The NFPs coordinate relevant national stakeholders from the health and security areas, including regional authorities and bodies, agencies and organisations, and facilitate the harmonisation of data collection and data processing procedures using EU standards, protocols and guidance. All NFPs provide an annual report of their activities, and those receiving funding from the EUDA also provide financial implementation reports.

In line with the EUDA communication strategy, the NFPs are requested to disseminate knowledge and best practices produced at the European level and relevant for national needs to the extended community of professionals involved with drugs and drug addiction, as well as to support the dissemination of EUDA products and publications.

Additionally, and according to their national competences, the NFPs have a key role in promoting and supporting evidence-based decision-making, supporting systems of collaboration, assessing the information needs of relevant stakeholders and compiling an up-to-date inventory of national drug information sources. They also coordinate and manage at national level any risk communication process triggered by the EUDA to ensure a coherent and effective information flow among all stakeholders.

How should a national focal point be structured?

There is no single model for how to organise and where to place a NFP. However, national authorities must ensure that their NFP can collect and analyse data on the basis of guidelines adopted by the EUDA, covering information from a variety of sources, mainly in the health, justice and law enforcement areas.

The structure of a NFP largely depends on how decision-making is organised in a particular country. The NFP can be placed within a national drugs coordination body or under a government department or located in one of the ministries. In many cases, the decision is taken to place the NFP in the Ministry of Health, national institute for public health or the Ministry of the Interior, Home Affairs or National Security or their subordinate institutions, since drug-related data collection is a part of their regular activities. A university or a non-governmental organisation can also act as NFP.

When discussing where to place the NFP, the main aspect to consider is how it will effectively fulfil its role and functions. The NFP has to be set up through appropriate national legal or administrative measures on a permanent basis and with a clear mandate. Moreover, it needs to be scientifically independent and ensure the quality of its data.    

How many staff members should work in a national focal point and what qualifications do they need?

The number of staff and their qualifications are closely linked to a national focal point’s role and functions and are highly variable. According to information collected in 2025 by the EUDA, the total number of staff on all NFPs ranged between 380-400, and varied from 1 to over 20. Given the range of tasks of a NFP, it must have at least a manager or coordinator (usually referred to as the Head). It is desirable that the professional competence of such a person allows him/her to effectively discuss issues linked to drug-related data collection at national and European level.

Practice shows that the Head of the focal point should have strong general management, communication and networking skills. Ideally, the competences of additional staff will mirror the wide range of subject areas covered by the mandate of the NFP. Therefore, the scientific competence of personnel should ideally cover fields such as epidemiology, social sciences (sociology, psychology), toxicology, statistics, criminology and drug policy.

Countries with very limited resources might start with a one-person national focal point: if this is the case, some core functions in data collection, analysis and reporting should be delegated to external partners (e.g. a university). Finally, all staff members should ideally be fluent in English, as this is the working language of the Reitox network.

How are EUDA national focal points funded?

The appointment, setting up, functioning and maintenance of a national focal point is the responsibility of the national authorities. However, the EUDA co-funds NFPs in EU Member States by means of a grant agreement which supports the implementation of the tasks that NFPs are mandated to fulfil in the EU Regulation that defined the EUDA mandate and NFP tasks to the Agency. More details on the financing scheme are available in the Reitox Alliance.

The EUDA grant agreements are fully in line with the rules and procedures used by the European institutions, and the NFPs are called upon to ensure adequate synergy with existing EC programmes to avoid overlap.

What is a ‘Reitox Academy’?

A Reitox Academy is a training programme which addresses the training and information needs of the Reitox community, but also transfers knowledge and EUDA practices to candidate and potential candidate countries, the European Neighbourhood Policy countries (ENP) and other priority third countries.

A Reitox Academy offers courses and workshops on EUDA-related activities such as on methodologies for drug monitoring or on evidence-based responses to the drug phenomenon. It aims to utilise the best expertise available in both the Agency and Member States. It also addresses training needs related to setting up and developing national focal points and their expert networks. Academies can be organised for a network of national or regional experts, for all Reitox members or for EU candidate, potential candidate and ENP countries.

What is the assessment of EUDA national focal points?

The regulation creating EUDA states that the Agency is required to assess 'whether each national focal point, by carrying out the tasks set out in Article 34(2), contributes to the achievement of the tasks of the Agency.'

These assessments are based on information provided by the national focal points and often involve an onsite mission and in-depth discussions with the team of the NFP. They do not assess the body hosting the national focal point or the overall structure in which the national focal point is embedded but rather are focused on assessing and improving quality of work processes related to the tasks the NFPs undertake for the Agency, as defined in the EUDA regulation and the Reitox Alliance.

Each NFP will be assessed at least once before 3 July 2026, and in order to ensure equity in these assessments, the EUDA will assess all NFPs with the same methodology, developed prior to entry into force of the Regulation. In parallel, an updated process and tools are being developed that will be implemented after the conclusion of the first round of assessments.

Who can benefit from EUDA national focal points’ expertise at national level and how?

Providing data on the drug situation at national level and also analysing how this is viewed in relation to the broader European and international contexts is one of the functions of NFPs. This means providing products for a range of audiences as follows:

• Decision‑makers, who require concise and objective information in order to make the relevant policy and budgetary decisions. This audience may also require information on current trends in drug policies across Europe to feed into national debate.
• Professionals and scientists working in the drugs field can use the NFP as their information source on ongoing research and monitoring activities across the network and also as a link for cross-border cooperation, hence enhancing data collection practices across Europe.
• As an audience, the general public needs broad information in order to gain insight into changes in the drug situation and responses at national and European level.
• For the media, focal points act as the main reference point on the drug situation, not only in the country concerned, but also in Europe. The information provided to the media thus facilitates clear and factual reporting on the drugs situation.

What is the added value in cooperating with the Reitox network for countries who are not members?

Being involved in the Reitox network brings first-hand experience of how drug monitoring systems operate in the EU Member States or countries which have concluded an agreement with the EU for the purpose of the participation in the work of the EUDA and broadens the view of Reitox members on the drug situation outside the EU. Whereas Reitox members participate in the European debate on drug data monitoring and reporting tools and processes, non-EU countries may be invited to take part in selected activities and technical expert meetings on a wide range of topics related to the EUDA’s areas of work.

By collaborating with the Reitox network, candidate and potential candidate countries are already fulfilling one of the requirements of the accession process. This is seen as a positive step in the process of aligning their respective national drug monitoring and reporting systems with the EU data collection processes.

Through cooperation projects or in the framework of working arrangements, bilateral agreements or dialogues, non-EU countries can participate in specific Reitox network activities and access training sessions, expert meetings, and even assessment processes, depending on needs, capacity and the activities themselves.

The principles and priorities of the cooperation between EUDA and non-EU countries are outlined in our International Cooperation Framework.

Where can I find the contact details of Reitox members?

Contact information on the EUDA national focal points is available in our dedicated country pages.

Additional information

• Regulation (EU) 2023/1322 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2023 on the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006
• Reitox Alliance
• EU drugs strategy 2026-2030
• On data collection tools and reporting
• Building a national drugs observatory: a joint handbook, 2010 (available in Arabic, Croatian, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish)
• European Neighbourhood Policy
• Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance
• FAQs on the EU and the drugs phenomenon (available in English, French and Russian)