FRANCE
In 1997, there has been a 2% drop in crime, while according to recent police statistics, juvenile and drug-related crimes are up 9.22%.
(LE FIGARO 28/1, NEUE ZUERCHER ZEITUNG 29/1)
SWITZERLAND
The legalizing proposal, "DroLeg", has not had much fortune at the Parliament. From many parts people have asked the proponents to withdraw the request in order not to block the debate at the very beginning. The proponents have declared that they are ready to dialogue with anybody, but that at the same time they want to know the opinion of the government coalition before deciding an eventual change in their plans.
(NEUE ZUERCHER ZEITUNG 29/1)
GERMANY
From February the selling of cannabis seeds will be restricted. The "10th Directive on Narcotic Substances" also sets the prohibition of cultivation in order to discourage hashish and marijuana consumption, which are considered unhealthy.
(FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG 31/1)
PANAMA
The negotiations between the Government and the U.S. to establish a multilateral center for the fight against drug-trafficking have not reached a final agreement. The project, which should allow U.S. troops to remain in the channel after the 1999 hand-over, has to overcome many obstacles and is not collecting an enthusiastic support.
(NEUE ZUERCHER ZEITUNG, 02/02)
GERMANY
The new edition of the 'Driving Code', that will be implemented this Summer, sets clear penalties for those who are caught driving on drugs. There are however more problems in detecting a drug user than a drunkard. The only possible way would be a blood or a urine test, which is not a quick way of testing someone's condition. German authorities are now implementing a "Drugwipe" a device capable of detecting the presence of drugs through sweat and saliva.
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG 03/02)
WORLD
Bern - At the recent press conference, UNDCP Chief, Pino Arlacchi said that the UN has nothing to object to the Swiss distribution of heroin. But, that at the same time it does not consider it an experiment that can be exported to other countries.
(NEUE ZUERCHER ZEITUNG 4/2)
WORLD
According to a Canadian report based on researches made in the US, UK, Japan, Australia, Germany and Canada, lawyers, managers, medics and policemen are among the bigger consumers of alcoholic beverages while working. Drug consumption is frequent among physicians, nurses, CEOs, pilots and workers in big factories.
(SUEDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG 04/02)
AUSTRIA
Vienna - A survey shows that Austrians approve the drug-related policies of the local administration based on "curing rather than repressing". As a matter of fact, the majority of drug addicts enjoys some form of social assistance and there are no dangerous neighborhoods. Social cohesion helps in circumscribe the phenomenon. According to another survey commissioned by "Die Presse", 39% of youngsters know at least someone who has tried drugs. 73% of the people interviewed is against any possible consumption of narcotics. 15% is attracted by hashish and marihuana.
(DIE PRESSE, NEUE ZUERCHER ZEITUNG 5/2)
U.S.
February is the month of drugs "certification". President Clinton must decide which countries can be considered good allies for the war on drugs, and which cannot. The certification program risks to make enemies even among "clean" countries that do not want the US intrusion into their internal affairs and its role as the 'Supreme Judge' of the Americas. Colombia, which was decertified last year, is still at risk, because some satellite pictures showed that the some fields that were supposed to have been eradicated by the government are still there and seem even bigger. Moreover, Colombia has also amended the constitution to allow extradition to the U.S. the Americans would like the norm to be retroactive. Colombian authorities have rejected the US request.
(THE ECONOMIST 7/2)
MEXICO
U.S. and Mexico have adopted a common strategy against drug trafficking. The agreement establishes a cooperation between both intelligences, the control of borders and other measures. Even if the US anti-drug czar, Barry McCaffrey, has said that the new program will start late this month, this new cooperation could lead to a US certification of Mexico for 1998. The certification of Mexico will continue US economic and financial help to the government.
(INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE 9/2)
BOLIVIA
During his visit to Spain, the Vice-President Jorge F. Quiroga, has stated that the objective of the Bolivian Government is to defeat drug trafficking within the next five years. The means will be: repression, eradication of crop - between 40,000 hectares and 60,000 - in cooperation with other Governments of the region.
(EL PAIS 30/1)
THE NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam - In a few weeks some "Narco Rooms" operated by the Government will be opened. In these places some 15 addicts, chosen by the police, will be allowed to inject heroin in a safe and clean environment. After three months, the administration will decide if the experiment is working, if so, other 10-15 "Rooms" for some 400 addicts will be opened also to host those that are homeless.
(EL PAIS 30/1)
COLOMBIA
"There is no Government in the whole world that has done so much to fight drug-trafficking" has declared President Samper. Mr. Samper was recently accused of receiving over $6M by some narco-dealers, a "loyal" congress saved him from the scandal.
(LA REPUBBLICA, 5/2, IL MESSAGGERO, IL SOLE 24 ORE 7/2)
ITALY
The Supreme Court of Appeal has sent a message to all prefects reminding them that the consumption of 'soft drugs' can be faced also with 'mild' penalties. A decision of the Supreme Court rules that the use of 'soft drugs' does not allow tough measures like the suspension of driving license, especially for those who are caught with few grams of hashish, in this case a formal admonition can be sufficient.
(CORSERA, IL GIORNALE, LA STAMPA 5/2)
ITALY
A year after the Naples Conference, the Government is still undecided and waits the decisions taken by other European partners. This uncertain position was presented at a conference held in Bologna organized by ERIT, the European Federation of Associations against Drugs. At the conference, the Minister of Social Affairs, Livia Turco, also rejected the possible distribution of heroin, because she thinks that Italy is not ready.
The Emilia Romagna Region does not agree with the Minister and has recently adopted a resolution in favor of the legalization of 'soft drugs' and medical heroin.
(CORSERA, 6-7/2, IL MESSAGGERO, IL GIORNALE, LA REPUBBLICA, LA STAMPA 7-8/2)
JOIN THE CORA
----------------------
Yes, I want to be member
(send by Email, or fax, or Mail)
Name and Surname ........................................
Address, Post code, City, State ..........................................
Email .....................................
Occupation .............................................
Date of Birth ..............................
Phone home ..............
office .................
fax ......................
mobile .....................
and I am enclosing a membership fee of .....................
By means of
/Postal Order to CORA
/Crossed Cheque to CORA
/ccp (only in Italy)
/Bank Account (choose below)
/Credit Card type ...........................................
no ......................................................................Expiry Date ......................
MEMBERSHIP FEE OF CORA 1997 IN EUROPEAN UNION
Austria 800 ATS, Belge 2000 Bfr, Denmark 500 DKK, Finland 400 FIM, France 330 FF, Germany 100 DEM, Great Britain 35 GBP, Greece 5000 GRD, Ireland 20 IEP, Italy 100.000 LIT, Luxembourg 2000 Lfr, The Netherlands 100 , LG, Portugal 5000 PTE, Spain 5000 ESB, Sweden 500 SEK
BANK ACCOUNT
- no. 010381 to CORA, Deutsche Bank (Abi 3002, Cab 03270), Italy
- no.10067.00101.1032083440/4 to CORA, France
- no. 310107591981 to CORA, Belge
MAIL CCP: ONLY IN ITALY
- c.c.p. 53362000 to CORA, Via di Torre Argentina 76, 00186 Roma
