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UK Cannabis Decriminalisation: The UN Enters the Frame

Author: Jonty Adderley
Saturday, March 2, 2002
The United Nations, who control worldwide drug laws, have challenged British plans to downgrade cannabis, suggesting decriminalisation will increase the drug's popularity.

"Some countries in western Europe have decriminalised offences related to the possession and abuse of controlled drugs and openly tolerate the abuse of drugs, particularly cannabis and ecstasy," the UN said in their latest report.

"So far, none of the governments concerned have been able to prove to the
Board ... that the application of such measures reduces the demand for
illicit drugs." (Evening Standard)

However, another report in last weekend's Observer comparing Holland with the UK, provided dramatic evidence that decriminalisation works, with twice as many British teenagers trying cannabis (40%) as their Dutch peers (20%.). Even more significantly, Britain has ten times as many "problem" hard drug addicts as Holland, even though its population is less than four times bigger.

"Drugs are here and they're always going to be, this is a social problem not a criminal one and the whole of society has to tackle it," said Machel Vewer, a senior Dutch policeman.

"We're not deluded that we can solve the problem entirely but we can contain it, make it controllable."

http://www.observer.co.uk
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