Brussels to appoint anti-drugs commissioner

The Brussels government is appointing a commissioner to coordinate the fight against drugs - and has already launched the search for a suitable candidate.

Minister-President Boris Dilliès (MR) announced a month ago that a separate drugs commissioner would not be appointed.

“The aim is to establish the most efficient possible coordination in the fight against drugs, not to create a new post,” said a statement at the time.

“Strong coordination between the various stakeholders is important. The title is not.”

But Bruzz reports that there have since been calls within the majority for the appointment of a fully-fledged drugs commissioner, and Dilliès now claims the search for one should not come as a surprise because such an appointment was included in the coalition agreement.

“The drugs commissioner will not replace existing services, but will strengthen the coherence of regional action in the face of a phenomenon that transcends the powers of a single level of government,” said Dilliès.

The future regional commissioner will carry out their duties within the framework of Brussels’ regional powers, according to a statement, and Dilliès said that there was no overlap with the national drugs commissioner, Ine Van Wymersch.

The main aim is to better streamline the approach to security, prevention and health and to align it with actions at federal and local level, where most of the tools in the fight against drug-related violence are to be found.

In addition to interior minister Bernard Quintin (MR) and the 19 Brussels mayors, police chiefs and Brussels public prosecutor Julien Moinil will also be involved in the drugs commission.

“Drug dealing and shootings have increased throughout Brussels, including in neighbourhoods where we had no such problems 10 years ago,” Dilliès said.

“Unfortunately, too few measures have been taken in the meantime. But I’m under no illusions: drug commissioner or not, I’ll be held accountable if the shootings continue.

"What matters to me is creating the most effective tool possible to tackle the drug-related violence that is ruining the lives of so many Brussels residents."

The majority expressed satisfaction with the role the drugs commissioner is set to take on.

“This sends a particularly important signal, especially as we’re looking at the entire chain - including prevention and care, for example,” said MEP Benjamin Dalle (CD&V).

“The drugs commissioner must be given sufficient authority to bring administrations and authorities round the table, organise cooperation and monitor the implementation of an integrated drugs policy.

"Ultimate success will not depend on a title or an organisational chart, but on whether we manage to effectively reduce the nuisance, violence and insecurity associated with the drug trade."

But the opposition levelled criticism, especially regarding the €1.5 million budget for the post, which Mathias Vanden Borre (N-VA) said only “duplicates the role of the federal drugs commissioner”.

“Meanwhile, the mayors are putting the brakes on greater efficiency through the merger of police zones,” Vanden Borre said. "What is the intention here?"