Pursuant to Article 12 of the Act of Law competences and powers of the National Council for Counteracting Drug Addiction, as a coordinating and organizational body in counteracting drug addiction, were expanded (since March 2001 the Council used to operate as an opinion-making body).

However, it is the National Bureau for Drug Prevention – NBDP that is responsible for drafting the National Programme for Counteracting Drug Addiction and monitoring its complementation, in cooperation with other entities relevant to act thereupon; as well as producing and submitting to the Minister competent for health matters the report on the implementation of the National Programme for Counteracting Drug Addiction (Article 6.3)

Chapter 2 of the Act (Article 5-18) lists entities responsible for counteracting drug addiction and the NPCDA specifies ministers responsible for the implementation of individual courses of action.

The National Programme for Counteracting Drug Addiction 2011-2016 (Journal of Laws 2011, only Polish version) was being developed in working groups designated to individual thematic areas. The National Programme 2011-2016 was being based on the following principles: realism, the context of other psychoactive substances, participation and building social acceptance. As the modern prevention strategies increasingly feature the notion of balanced approach, the national Programme is being implemented in 5 key areas: prevention, broadly understood treatment, supply reduction, research and monitoring and international cooperation. The Programme sets out courses of action and implementation indicators as well as ministers and relevant entities responsible for the implementation thereof.

The National Programme for Counteracting Drug Addiction is aligned with the EU Drugs Strategy 2005-2012 (Council of the European Union 2004).

The National Programme for Counteracting Drug Addiction 2011-2016 was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 22 March 2011 and it is an executive act to the Act of Law of 29 July 2005 on Counteracting Drug Addiction. Pursuant to Article 7 thereof, it provides for counteracting drug addiction in Poland.

The National Programme for Counteracting Drug Addiction will be implemented in the years 2011-2016. The general aim of the Programme is the reduction of drug use and more effective resolving the related social and health problems. The Programme contains actions intended to combat also new drugs and substitute substances (so-called legal highs). The evaluation of the actions is also included. The previous programme was implemented between 2006 and 2010.

The National Programme 2011-2016 will be implemented in the following fields:

Prevention
The primary objective is the reduction of drug demand. Although survey results show stabilization of the trend or even a drop in drug use prevalence among youth there is still a lot of young people who decide to use drugs for the first time in their lives.

Treatment, rehabilitation, harm reduction and social reintegration
In treatment the main objective is the improvement of the quality of life of harmful drug users and drug dependent individuals. One of the major tasks is the professionalization of drug treatment programmes, better access to treatment, development of harm reduction programmes, reducing homelessness and unemployment among harmful drug users and drug dependent individuals. The programme also involves in these actions local governments: communes and Marshal Offices.

Supply reduction
The primary objective is the reduction of manufacture, trade and availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Poland is one of the chief manufacturers of amphetamine. Our country is also crisscrossed by major drug trafficking routes. The Programme aims at detecting illegal cannabis plantations grown by organized crime groups and combating money laundering. Actions will be taken to reduce drug-related crime on the Internet.

International cooperation
Strengthening the position of Poland on the international arena will serve domestic actions. Our country will participate in the works of EU institutions concerned with the reduction of drug supply and demand. We also plan bilateral cooperation with third countries. Poland will provide support for Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus so that their actions to combat drug supply and demand will be more effective.

Research and monitoring
The main aim is the support for the implementation of the programme. The Programme includes monitoring the epidemiological situation; assessment of institutional and social attitudes towards drugs and drug addiction; development and consolidation of the information system on psychoactive substances and substitute drugs. The implementation of these tasks will provide room for planning effective and rational actions, e.g. social campaigns and modifying the existing policy. It will also be possible to evaluate the effectiveness of spending. Monitoring will also cover the market of new psychoactive substances, including legal highs.

The total of PLN 293 627 808 will be allocated from the state budget for the programme implementation in the years 2011-2016.

Act of 1 April 2011 amending the Act on counteracting drug addiction and certain other Acts

Act of Law of 29 July 2005 on Counteracting Drug Addiction

Act of law of 27 April 2006 on amending the Act of Law on Counteracting Drug Addiction and the Act of Law on Liability of Collective Entities for Acts Prohibited under Penalty

Act of law of 17 February 2006 on amending the Act of Law on Counteracting Drug Addiction

Ordinance of the Council of Ministers of 22 March 2011 on the National Programme on Counteracting Drug Addiction for 2011-2016 (Polish Journal of Laws of 2011, No 78, item 428) - only Polish version

Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 27 June 2006 on National Programme for Counteracting Drug Addiction 2006-2010