NCJ Number
124072
Date Published
1989
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Belgium's criminal law related to drugs was most recently amended in 1975, when its provisions changed to increase the penalties for drug law offenses, encourage drug offenders to report others, offer treatment rather than punishment to drug users, and add certain substances to the list of illicit drugs.
Abstract
The law also defines as crimes certain drug-related behaviors, such as knowingly providing equipment for drug use. Prescription drug abuse is also penalized. The procedural legislation in Belgium generally applies to all crime, not just drug law offenses, however. In addition, the public prosecutor has extensive powers regarding the handling of drug law offenses. The criminal laws relating to drugs are likely to change in the future, although the nature of the changes are not yet clear. However, legalization of "hard" drugs is unlikely. Footnotes and 12 references.