Press release, Prague 29 August 2024 – Long-time National Drug Coordinator Jindřich Vobořil is leaving his position as of 31 August 2024, but he will remain part of the development of addiction policies, primarily as an independent expert and chairman of the board of the Rational Addiction Policy Think Tank. In the future, however, he will continue to stand by the side of Prime Minister Petro Fiala, with whom he has agreed on expert cooperation.
“I am leaving my position as National Coordinator for Addictions with more experience in the functioning of the state administration, in the preparation and promotion of legislative proposals, as well as significant international experience and new contacts,” said Jindřich Vobořil. “I am convinced that returning to the non-governmental sphere is the right solution, which will allow me to continue the work that I consider extremely important. My priority remains the prevention of addictions in children and adolescents and the setting of regulation policies based on the severity of individual risks,” he added.
However, the world-renowned expert not only on the issue of illegal drugs, but also on the whole range of addictions, is certainly not stopping in his efforts to promote rational policy at the government level. Prime Minister Fiala has repeatedly shared his appreciation of his work and expertise, and wishes to continue to use his experience as an expert advisor.
During his career, Vobořil managed to prepare changes to several fundamental regulations. He significantly contributed to the law on gambling, which was based on the first national study on the impact of gambling in the Czech Republic. He was behind the law on medical cannabis and it was at his instigation that the law on the protection of health from the harmful effects of addictive substances was adopted.
He also led the development of the National Addiction Strategy and the government’s Addiction Policy Action Plans, which are seen globally as groundbreaking in that they are not based on an ideology of abstinence but on the now widely recommended realistic approach to reducing harms and risks. The approach to regulating the market for addictive substances on the basis of knowledge about the specific harm inherent to different products is quite unique. Under Vobořil’s leadership, the National Monitoring Centre began to publish, in addition to the report on the state of drug affairs in the Czech Republic, other scientific monitoring reports on gambling, tobacco, alcohol and digital addictions.
Vobořil has long advocated for a balanced policy based not only on legal regulations, but also on the need to prevent and help people living with addiction. He literally said: “Policy cannot be achieved without money, which is why we need to finally pass the law on prevention and treatment of addictions (the Addiction Act), which we have prepared with the Drug Policy Department of the Government Office and which will ensure the most important part of the whole policy, namely preventing the effects of addiction and helping people who are at risk of addiction.”
A number of necessary changes remain to be worked out from recent times. For example, the Psychomodulatory Substances Act is awaiting final approval by the Senate. Vobořil has also drafted several versions of the law on cannabis regulation, including a bill on making medical cannabis available to chronic patients, and he has also contributed significantly to the draft amendments to the Criminal Code prepared by the Ministry of Justice, which address, for example, the decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis for personal use. Based on the government’s action plan, Voboril established working groups to prepare legislative proposals aimed at reducing the availability of addictive products and substances to minors, while also seeking solutions to curb the growing illicit market. These working groups are also looking at the tax burden or advertising targeted at teenagers.
“I want to continue to advocate for an end to the criminalization of people who are more likely to need help and those who now end up in prison for offenses of little social danger,” Vobořil explains, and goes on to list the topics that remain to be addressed. “Another very strong topic that can no longer be ignored, not only in relation to addiction, is the state of mental health in society. The rising numbers of suicides among children, young people and even the elderly are a warning.”
The Rational Addiction Policies Think Tank, founded by Voboril several years ago, researches, analyses and proposes rational and effective approaches to solving the problem of addiction and has the ambition to help government structures find the best solution, not only in the Czech Republic, but also at the European and global level.
“This think tank focuses on science-based policy advocacy, prevention, treatment and risk reduction related to substance use and non-substance dependence. Its aim is to contribute to informed decision-making and to improving the quality of life of people affected by addiction, to ensure that addiction policy in the Czech Republic and the EU is based on rational foundations,” Vobořil explains. The aim of the platform is to focus on the issue of addressing addiction both in the Czech Republic and internationally. Already in October, the Brussels office of the Rational Addiction Policy Think Tank will be opened, thus intensifying cooperation at European level. The platform’s honorary and expert councils will include a number of prominent names in the field who are not indifferent to the development of addiction in society and together want to promote effective and rational solutions at the global level.
“What is happening in Europe and the world in the field of addiction directly influences what is happening in this area in the Czech Republic, so it is impossible to ignore international developments,” Vobořil concludes.
Jindřich Vobořil has long been one of the leading experts on the issue of addiction. As Czech National Drug Coordinator, he has dealt with complex issues not only in the field of illegal drugs. He has long drawn attention to serious problems in society in connection with alcohol, tobacco products and gambling.
He advocates a rational approach to substance abuse regulation, promoting a balanced comprehensive drug policy with prevention, regulation, repression and treatment.
His more than thirty years of experience in the management and development of health and social services has been crucial for improving drug policy in the Czech Republic. His work has made the Czech Republic one of the European leaders in mental health and substance abuse control.