NCJ Number
120967
Journal
International Journal on Drug Policy Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (July/August 1989) Pages: 27-29
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The cornerstones of Dutch drug policy are the legal separation of drug markets, combined with health and drug education; harm reduction; and the "normalization" of drug problems.
Abstract
The "separation of markets" means that the possession of up to 30 grams for personal use (and to a certain extent the retail trade of marijuana products) has been decriminalized. The retail trade in marijuana products is conditionally tolerated in youth centers and "coffee shops." The conditions for this trade are no sale of any other drugs, no advertising, no public nuisance, and no sales to people under 16 years old. Outreach services that are nonjudgemental and not aimed at immediate abstinence draw drug users who would otherwise not seek help. The Netherlands' government adopted the harm-reduction concept as a second cornerstone of its drug strategy and the official starting point of hard-drug policy. This concept aims at reducing not only the harm caused by drugs but also the harm caused by punitive responses to drug abuse. The third cornerstone, the "normalization" of drug problems involves the recognition that extensive drug use, both legal and illegal, will continue to be used by society just as have alcohol and tobacco. The Netherlands policy under this perspective is to contain demand and limit the harms caused by drug use. 4 references.