This is from a BBC report on the Netherlands. It results from an analysis of Britains consideration of a similar Drug legalisation scheme.
Drug-related crime
The Netherlands' policy is aimed at providing a safe environment for cannabis users and breaking the link between drugs and crime.
But it has found drug-related crime in general - such as burglary to pay for drugs - stubbornly refuses to go away. Adults who have tried cannabis
Denmark 30%+
UK 20%+
Spain 20%+
Netherlands 15%+
France 15%+
Germany 10%+
Greece 10%+
Sweden 10%+
Finland 10%+
Belgium -10%
Germany -10%
source: EMCDDA
Moreover, the coffee shops themselves have brought "nuisances", such as litter, noise and falling prices for nearby property.
However, VWS says the latter problem is comparable to that caused by normal licensed bars, or areas where tourists congregate.
"Tourists are always noisy," says Mr Brugdink. "The coffee shops bring no extra trouble like that."
And he points out that local authorities can close down any shop as soon as they feel it is becoming undesirable.
Smuggling
Anti-drug campaigners argue that the Netherlands has become a major port and trade route through which international smugglers reach other European countries.
Amsterdam coffee shops: Magnets for tourists, but not problem-free
Dutch authorities admit that drug seizures in recent years have risen, especially for heroin - seizures of which doubled between 1997 and 1998, for example.
But Mr Brugdink says this is mainly because of the Netherlands' general trading and port status, not because of its drugs policy.
"We have no ambition to be a major port or exporter of drugs to Europe," he says.
"But if you are one of the main countries for trade, it is bound to happen. If you have the biggest port in the world, you are also going to have some of the worst drug smuggling."
The Dutch authorities are at pains to point out that the main part of their drugs policy is not, as many Britons would assume, its coffee shops.
To the Netherlands, most important are its prevention schemes, such as anti-drugs education projects, and medical care and rehabilitation schemes for addicts.
"If you compare our policies with those of countries at the other end of the spectrum, like Sweden for example, the results are more or less the same," says Mr Brugdink. "But the health of ours is better."
What do we note about the above. Many points. Some positive for both sides. If I may choose a couple for my side of the arguement...
1. A safe environment for Cannabis Users and a break away from the connection to Crime.
LOL. Government sponsored Heroin Injection Rooms argued the same points. Dismal failure. Now instead of druggies shooting up in their homes and falling unconscious to their floor, we find them cluttering up the pavements in front of kids and the general public. Strangely, they still seem pretty close to Crime when their straight and get picked up climbing through your windows.
Lesson: Making them safe, doesnt make YOU safe.
2. Drug related property crime, "strangely" refuses to go away.
Really? Now theres a revelation. LOL. Methadone was introduced to wean Heroin users and is distributed in a controlled environment. What happened? The junkies hid their "Done" and sold it out on the streets to young kids and junkies looking for an xtra high so they could support their own habits with Heroin again, often supplementing the Done with the Hammer for that little xtra buzz.
Lesson: Drugs= Property Crime. Giving it to them wont change a thing.
3. Benno Brugdink, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), which co-ordinates Dutch drugs policy, says that Tourists are to blame for the woes of their coffee shops and hence the reason they lowered the 30 gram sale limit to encourage local supply only.
How very convienant. Why were the Tourists there I wonder.
In my Country Australia, in Canberra, instead a prosecuting minor infractions of Marijuana offences like in the old days, we now have the option of giving $100.00. fines to those in possession of 25 grams or less or in possession of 5 plants under the same weight for personal use. What happened? Every drug crazy hippy in Australia wanted to move to Canberra because they were in the belief (many still are) that Cannabis was legalised here.
Lesson: Drugs bring Hippys.
