The IREFREA network was founded in 1988 with experts from several European countries and it is one of the oldest professional drug networks. The Spanish group has had the scientific leadership of the different research projects since the group’s initiation. The areas covered by IREFREA include alcohol and drug prevention (research, evaluation and programme implementation) covering questions like risk factors, risky behaviours, related violence and programmes efficiency among others.

IREFREA members are very active in several professional and scientific arenas, having been invited to collaborate with organizations including EMCDDA, EC, NIDA , UNODC and the PNSD (Spanish National Plan on Drugs) and actively participate in networks such as Eurocare, EU-SPR, DC&D and The Civil Society Forum on Drugs.