Anyone traveling to Amsterdam is well aware of the fact that one can enter a cafe or perhaps the coffee shop of five star Amsterdam hotels, and purchase drugs. And furthermore, a waiter will give you a menu, offering up specials of the day. It is legal, and inexpensive. Not so understandable to many countries around the world is that this is a solution for drug use and trafficking in the Netherlands. It is the most unique drug policy in the world. The laws and policies put matters of personal health into each person’s own hands. This is considered as a fundamental rule by the Dutch, a people and the only country in the world wherein part of the considerations for the treatment if terminally ill patients, is to let them decide. Legal, medically assisted, and voluntary euthanasia is an option in this country and no other. People’s lives in this country are really in their own hands.

Another idea concerning the policy is that just by hiding the negative effects of society and of, in this case, substance use and the possibility of misuse, does not make problems go away, it just makes them worse. If for no other reason that what is illegal and hidden is much harder to control than that which is out in the open. By decriminalizing drug use, it becomes the private responsibility and matter of each person. Not something surrounded by laws and necessary governmental enforcement. In the United States the war on drugs began with Nixon in the 70′s, and then there was the ‘Just say no’ slogan in the 90′s. Well, what is more appealing to some, then something they can not have? True in love and true with drugs. Half of Americans will admit to smoking marijuana. And it’s illegal so they are getting it somewhere. The Dutch will mention in any given debate that the Prohibition in the States during the 20′s led to more criminal acts and violence than any positive effect that it had.

There are regulations concerning the type of drug, soft drugs-such as marijuana, hash oil, and hashish are legal. Whereas hard drugs are determined by their danger…such as heroin , morphine and LSD are still illegal. The legality refers to personal use. Just as one in the States needs a license to sell tobacco and alcohol, such is true for all forms of cannabis in the Netherlands. Sale is legal to only adults and there are limits in the coffee shops to what one may consume in a given time period, just as is true in bars and taverns in many countries. There are educational programs regarding drug abuse, but again they are leaving it up to the individual and not the government.

Related posts:

1. Technically Sophisticated Coffee Machines for Home
2. Looking for Light in Amsterdam
3. New Populations of Drug Addicts
4. The Continued Struggle Against Terrorist Financing
5. Visiting New York City