The European Commission on Tuesday called for the European Union to revise in 2011 procedures prohibiting new types of illicit drugs.
Authorities should react quickly when a new drug appears on the market, European Commission Vice-President in charge of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Vivian Reding said.
In October 2010, the European Commission suggested imposing a total ban on mephedrone, an ecstasy-like drug, which killed at least 37 people in Britain and Ireland.
Even though the drug is illegal in 15 EU countries and Russia, a dozen EU countries are to join the ban on the drug where it is still openly available over the Internet or through street dealers.
Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant reportedly manufactured in China that has physical effects similar to those of ecstasy or cocaine.
According to the annual report of the UN International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the estimated number of drug users worldwide in 2009 was between 172 million and 250 million people.
BRUSSELS, November 9 (RIA Novosti)
