San Marino is also taking part in the international summit on drugs and addiction underway today, Friday 23 October, at the San Patrignano Community. Representing the Republic is the Secretary of State for Health, Massimo Andrea Ugolini, who is attending the meeting of the European Coalition Against Drugs (ECAD), jointly promoted by Italy and France on the initiative of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron.
On arrival at San Patrignano, Ugolini was welcomed by Letizia Moratti, co-founder of the Community, and by Alfredo Mantovano, Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
The proceedings, opened by an address from Giorgia Meloni, bring together 35 international delegations, including representatives of countries, European institutions and international organisations. At the heart of the discussions are strategies to combat drug trafficking and tackle addiction, ranging from prevention to treatment pathways, recovery and social reintegration.
San Marino’s presence is part of the process begun with the Republic’s accession to ECAD and builds on work already carried out at previous international meetings in Copenhagen and Yerevan.
In his address, Ugolini outlined three priorities: strengthening prevention, particularly among young people and vulnerable individuals; ensuring continuity in treatment and rehabilitation pathways, including support for families; and consolidating international cooperation to address the spread of new substances and the activities of criminal organisations.
“Alongside efforts to curb supply and dismantle criminal networks, we must keep a strong focus on prevention, care and the recovery of individuals,” said Secretary of State Massimo Andrea Ugolini. “No strategy can be considered complete unless it offers those struggling with addiction a real chance to regain independence, relationships and a life project.”
The Secretary of State went on to stress the need to tackle addiction through measures that simultaneously involve the healthcare system, institutions and organisations engaged in recovery efforts.
“Protecting health and combating illegal trafficking are not competing goals, but two components of the same public responsibility,” Ugolini continued. “To effectively address the issue of addiction, we need adequate services, support for families, continuity of care and concrete opportunities for reintegration. It is also essential to strengthen the exchange of information and best practices between countries, so that the policies adopted are timely, coordinated and grounded in scientific evidence.”
San Marino is also bringing to the international table its experience gained through prevention activities carried out in collaboration with the San Patrignano Community, with particular attention to early intervention and raising awareness of the risks associated with substance use.
The choice of San Patrignano as the venue for the meeting highlights the role of the Community, founded in 1978, in the recovery and social reintegration of people struggling with addiction.
Over the course of the day, the delegations are also working on the San Patrignano-Rimini Declaration, the concluding document intended to set out new commitments to international cooperation. Among the issues addressed are the fight against illegal drug trafficking, action against the financial flows of criminal organisations, and the strengthening of prevention, treatment and recovery policies.
