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1. In order to carry out the general task set out in Article 4(1), the Agency shall have the following specific tasks:

(a) monitoring tasks that include:

(i) the collection and analysis of information and data pursuant to Article 6(1);

(ii) the dissemination of information, data and results of analyses pursuant to Article 6(5); and (iii) the monitoring of the drugs phenomenon, encompassing the health, human rights, social, safety and security aspects thereof pursuant to Article 7;

(b) preparedness tasks that include:

(i) the exchange of information on, and the early warning system for, new psychoactive substances, including the preparation of initial reports and risk assessments pursuant to Articles 8 to 11;

(ii) health and security threat assessment and preparedness pursuant to Article 12;

(iii) the establishment and operation of a European drug alert system pursuant to Article 13;

(iv) the monitoring of developments related to the diversion and trafficking of drug precursors and contributing to the implementation of Union law on drug precursors pursuant to Article 14;

(v) the establishment and operation of a network of forensic and toxicological laboratories pursuant to Article 15;

(c) competence development tasks that include:

(i) the development and promotion of evidence-based interventions, best practices and awareness-raising activities pursuant to Article 16;

(ii) the assessment of national measures pursuant to Article 17;

(iii) support to Member States pursuant to Article 18;

(iv) training pursuant to Article 19;

(v) international cooperation and technical assistance pursuant to Article 20;

(vi) research and innovation activities pursuant to Article 21.

2. The Agency shall establish and coordinate, in consultation and cooperation with the competent authorities and organisations in the participating countries, the European Information Network on Drugs and Drug Addiction referred to in Article 32 (the ‘Reitox network’).

3. The Agency shall act in a transparent, objective, impartial and scientifically rigorous manner when carrying out the specific tasks set out in paragraph 1.

4. The Agency shall support, and improve coordination between, national and Union action in its areas of activity. The Agency shall facilitate the exchange of information between decision-makers, researchers, specialists and those involved in drug-related issues in governmental and non-governmental organisations.

5. The Agency shall support the Commission, Member States and other relevant stakeholders identified in the applicable Union drugs-related strategic documents in the implementation of those strategic documents, where appropriate.

6. In carrying out the specific tasks set out in paragraph 1, the Agency may:

(a) organise meetings of experts;

(b) set up ad hoc working groups; and (c) finance projects, as necessary. Where the Agency organises meetings, sets up working groups or finances projects under the first subparagraph, it shall keep the Reitox network informed.

7. In order to attain maximum efficiency in monitoring, assessing and responding to the drugs phenomenon, the Agency shall, in carrying out the specific tasks set out in paragraph 1, cooperate actively with relevant stakeholders, including:

(a) other relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies, within the limits of their mandates, in particular Europol, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and of the Council , the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, established by Council Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 , the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), established by Regulation (EU) 2015/2219 of the European Parliament and of the Council , the European Medicines Agency, established by Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council , the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, established by Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council , and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound), established by Regulation (EU) 2019/127 of the European Parliament and of the Council ;

(b) other international bodies, offices and agencies, in particular the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB); and (c) the scientific community and civil society organisations.

8. The Agency shall engage in communication activities on its own initiative within its mandate. The allocation of resources to communication activities shall not be detrimental to the effective exercise of the specific tasks set out in paragraph 1. The Agency shall carry out communication activities in accordance with relevant communication strategies and dissemination plans adopted by the Management Board. The Agency may involve relevant stakeholders, including the scientific community and civil society organisations, in the development of those strategies and plans.