INTRODUCTION

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS

in alphabetical order
by groups
by effects

PREVENTION

campaigns
treatment
commune

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

drug addicts
physicians

STATISTICS

INTERACTIVE

message board
contact us
sign guestbook
view guestbook

HELP ! ! !

faq
glossary

THE SITE

references and citations
the team

prevention >>> campaigns >>> legalization >>>

LEGALIZATION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

Legalization is a quite disputable method. Both "yes" and "no" can be very well explained with the right proofs. In Europe and the rest of world this has been discussed for many years now in the society, among physicians and politicians. But, what are the facts?

About 300 000 addicted to opiates users who live the European Union (EU) are treated with replacing treatment (mainly methadone - a synthetic opiate). Methadone is taken by mouth mainly and its effects are very well known. Generally, this treatment leads to a better social situation (not so much HIV and hepatitus, crimes, etc.). In some countries (Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands and Australia) physicians have tried the effect of morphine (by mouth) for this type of treatment. In Germany, where methadone was originally not accepted, codeine was prescribed. It is yet preferred by some physicians there.

Physicians in Great Britain are free to prescribe any drug that can help the patient organize and control his own life. These drugs include even heroin, morphine, amphetamine, cocaine, etc.

The most popular experiment to legalize drugs is in the Netherlands. In 1976 the Dutch government decides to have a very different policy for "soft" and "hard" drugs. They decide to begin a bigger war against heroin, but to legalize cannabis. In hundreds cafes in the country marijuana and hashish are sold in doses of up to 30g. Now this amount is 5g. Advertising is forbidden and no drugs are sold to people under 18. As a result, use of cannabis doesn't increase much, in comparison for example with USA. Among teenagers even decrease in use are observed. Parents in the country also support this policy. The Dutch government still use this policy, is spite of the disapproval by the other Member States of EU.

The people, who are against legalization believe that the amount of problems in the society really decreases in this way, but the problems of the users are all the same, because addiction isn't removed.

On the base of the Dutch experience in 1996 K. Sviestra presents in a table the effects of the choice of different policy against drugs.