In an effort to launch a policy aimed at tackling the complex phenomenon of drug addiction at all levels, the National Plan on Drug Addiction was created by the Ministry of Health in 1985. This plan established the coordination of the different activities of distinct departments of the central, the autonomic and the local administrations in addition to that of a number of non-governmental organizations working with drug addicts.

We would like to undersocore its most important achievements over these past years.

• Coordination at all levels of government, both Autonomous Community and Central, has been consolidated. The existence of specific Plans produced by each of the 17 Autonomous Communities should be mentioned.
• The existence of both public and private (in this case, often recipients of public funds) schemes to aid drug addicts, comprising various centres (health clinics, group therapy, hospital centres, etc.) which use different methods and therapies.
• The development of different programmes devoted to prevention and set up by the central, autonomic or local administrations which are directed at diverse sectors of the population. Especially significant is the new course called (Health Education) to be introduced at both the primary and secondary levels in the newly reformed school curriculum.
• The diverse programmes of social integration aimed at reincorporating in society those sectors of the population that have been especially affected as is the case of drug addicts who are serving jail sentences or jobless, and unprotected minors, etc.
• Lastly, Spain has intensified its international activities by participating in important organizations (the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the European union and the European Council, etc.) and by signing bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries.