Swiss prepare to decriminalize
pot
By PETER
CAPELLA
The
Guardian
October 03, 2000
GENEVA, Switzerland - Switzerland is preparing legislation that effectively
would allow the consumption of marijuana, adding to the country's pioneering but
controversial record on drugs policy. The government said it would draw up
legislation next year after consultation among local authorities and community
associations revealed that there was widespread support for decriminalizing
marijuana. "Two-thirds of the organizations consulted said they were in
favor of this move," Interior Minister Ruth Dreifuss said.
But the
same groups opposed any such move on hard drugs, and officials ruled out softer
laws on possessing or using such substances. Switzerland has the most
liberal approach in Europe towards the treatment of heroin addicts. Since 1998
it has provided clean needles and allowed the distribution of heroin to addicts
under strict medical supervision. The policy, approved by Swiss voters in
1998 but criticized by international drug enforcement bodies, also involves
tougher prevention measures, comprehensive social support for addicts and a
police clampdown on heroin users as well as dealers.
As many as 937
addicts were on record as following this heroin program last December. Health
authorities said the system had improved the social conditions and overall
health of about two-thirds of those treated for two years and brought their drug
habit under control.Deaths from heroin overdoses have also been declining in
recent years, according to official figures, but there has been a surge in the
consumption of cocaine and synthetic drugs such as ecstasy.
Swiss
police and justice officials have said they fear "drug tourism" if soft drugs
are legalized, especially if the country is out of step with its
neighbors. The new legislation on marijuana is likely to include a
minimum age of 16 or 18 years, and reinforced penalties for dealers and anyone
who "incites consumption." But marijuana would, in effect, be put on an
equivalent footing to alcohol and cigarettes.
"We also need
prevention measures because, quite frankly, we don't want young people to take
up cannabis," said Suzanne Auer, a spokeswoman for the Swiss Interior
Ministry.
The Swiss cabinet has not yet decided whether production
and sale of marijuana would also be tolerated, but Dreifuss said that if
producers respected some restrictions, their activities "could be tolerated even
though still punishable by law."
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