Andrea Innocenti On October 23, 2026, the San Patrignano Community in Coriano (Rimini) hosted an important international event: the high-level meeting of the European Coalition Against Drugs (ECAD). The initiative, jointly promoted by Italy and France , brought together Italian government leaders, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani , to discuss strategies for addiction prevention and recovery.
The setting for the meeting is emblematic: San Patrignano has been a hub for addiction rehabilitation for decades, a symbol of an integrated approach that combines medical care, education, and social reintegration. The choice of this location underscores the importance of constructive dialogue between institutions and local organizations.
Practical organization of the meeting at San Patrignano
The conference was preceded by a press accreditation period, open until midnight on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, on the portal . Journalists who met the deadline were also able to request a guided tour of the Community, scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Access badges were collected in person at the Press Accreditation Center, located at the Rimini Tourism Board (Parco Fellini, 3), both on October 22nd from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and on October 23rd from 19:00 am to 10:00 am. Transportation to San Patrignano was provided exclusively via dedicated shuttles departing from Rimini, to ensure maximum safety and respect for residents' privacy.
Giorgia Meloni's speech and the priorities of the declaration
The afternoon began with a speech by Giorgia Meloni , who stated: "We have initiated a fruitful dialogue with the main networks to correct misleading messages that we have too often heard in the past ." The central message of her presentation was the crucial role of prevention , recognized as the first of the principles established in the final declaration that will be signed at the conclusion of the meeting. Meloni emphasized the need for European coordination capable of countering the spread of misinformation and promoting educational programs based on scientific evidence.
The role of the European Coalition against Drugs (ECAD)
ECAD, founded in 2006 by Italy and France, aims to create a transnational network for the exchange of best practices, the exploration of new intervention methodologies, and the dissemination of clear messages to citizens. The declaration signed at the end of the meeting will include three fundamental principles, starting with prevention , followed by recovery strategies and social reintegration programs. Issue 196, relating to the reference points for monitoring drug policies, will be updated based on the decisions made during the summit.
Closing with Alfredo Mantovano and upcoming engagements
At 17:00 PM, Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano concluded the day, reiterating the importance of translating the guidelines into concrete actions on the ground. Antonio Tajani's presence lent further diplomatic weight to the event, signaling Italy's willingness to collaborate closely with European partners to strengthen recovery policies . The declaration will be signed on-site, confirming the signatories' commitment to implementing the principles discussed.
The San Patrignano meeting represented a significant step toward a more integrated and shared policy in Europe, where prevention is placed at the heart of the fight against addiction, with the support of institutions, operational networks, and civil society.