NCJ Number
170354
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 65 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1998) Pages: 32,34-35
Date Published
1998
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The leader of the Swedish National Criminal Investigation Department discusses Sweden's drug policies and its experience with the legal prescription of narcotic drugs, opiates, and central stimulants from the spring of 1965 to the spring of 1967.
Abstract
The goal of the experiment was to limit the harmful effects of drug abuse on both the individual and the community. The Swedish experiment included a socio-medical study of the person involved. Results revealed that drug-related crime detected by the police almost disappeared during the period of legalization, that about as many drug users committed crimes during the year they were receiving legal drugs as in the years just before, that the number of offenses per individual increased somewhat, and that all other types of crime increased. These negative results produced a shift in public attitudes. Since then, Swedish drug policy has consisted of a close interactive system of various preventive measures, treatment of addicts, and a policy of control. Drug law enforcement is one of the top priority areas for police and customs officials. Sweden has a restrictive drug policy, because if access is easy and society is permissive, the number of addicts, crime, and violence will increase. Reference notes