THE NETHERLANDS
Nimwegen - The police have halted representatives of "Centrum Demokraten", the party of the conservative right, while they were giving heroin to addicts in order to collect signatures to present candidates in the next May elections. Party leader Hans Janmaat told "De Telegraaf" that his organization is not against this type of practice.
(SUDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG 26/3)
AUSTRIA
The spokesperson for the Minister of Justice, Gerhard Litzka has affirmed that the increasing criminalization of youth for drug-related activities must be stopped. It is much more important to inform them than to punish them. Mr. Litzka has also said that when Austria will be the rotating President of the European Union it will try to raise the question of alternative models of support to addicts.
(DIE PRESSE 26/3)
SWITZERLAND
The spokesperson for the Minister of Health Lorenz Hess has rendered public the favorable opinion of the Ethic Commission regarding the enlargement of the controlled heroin distribution program to 200 new addicts. The Commission has also forwarded two requests: to offer more cures to rehabilitated addicts and establish an office for the monitoring of the experimentation.
SAN MARINO
In a workshop hosted by the Council of Europe, researchers from various European countries have gathered to discuss ecstasy. It was clear that, despite the lack of studies concerning the consequences of the use of MDMA, we can exclude physical damages or lethal effects but still monitor the cerebral metabolism. What is very dangerous is MDMA consumption with other narcotics, because it aggravates the toxic aspects of the drug and can endanger cerebral functions like concentration and/or memory. In the long term the major risk is depression.
(FRANKFURTER ALLEGEMEINE ZEITUNG 27-18/3, IL MESSAGGERO 28/3)
AUSTRIA
Vienna - The local section of the Liberal Party has criticized teachers in favor the distribution of hashish. Party Counselor Karin Landauer, quoting a study according to which 65% of Austrian teachers are for free hashish, has affirmed: "if it was only a personal opinion for me it would have been ok, but if they are diffusing it while working, they should be sanctioned."
(DIE PRESSE 26/3)
BOLIVIA
The Government has started to diminish the subsidies for coca growers that decide to join the program for alternative development. The U.S. has reduced its aid for the war on drugs, and the Government is willing to find funds somewhere else, notably the EU. Peasants, once received the money, simply move their coca crops to other fields.
(FINANCIAL TIMES)
MEXICO
While a controversial resolution on the 'certification' of Mexico was introduced at the Senate a document of the DEA, was rendered public by the higher hous. In the text it appears that numerous high commanders of the Mexican Army continue to have relationships with mobs of narco dealers.
(EL PAIS 27-8/3)
BURMA
The U.S. and Japan have jointly allocated $3.8 billion to help the Government to eradicate poppy along the border. The initiative was discussed in a seminar on poppy eradication strategies held in Rangoon organized by UNDCP, the UN agency to fight drugs, in conjunction with the local and the Japanese Government.
(INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE 2/4)
WORLD
International duel between Pino Arlacchi, Director of UNDCP, and European Commissioner Emma Bonino. The argument regards the adoption of the means for the war on drugs: Mr. Arlacchi supports the re-conversion of crops a strategy that Ms. Bonino considers old and ineffective.
(LA REPUBBLICA 27/3, CORSERA, IL GIORNALE, IL MESSAGGERO, LA STAMPA 28/3)
WORLD
Costa Rica - At the XVI International Conference on Drug Control, the director of the Colombian police has declared that South American, Italian and Russian Mafias have struck a deal to increase the production of drugs for the European market during the football World Cup in France this coming Summer.
(LE MONDE 2/4)
THE NETHERLANDS
A new medicine has arrived in pharmacies: Marinol, with THC tetrahydrocannabinoid - the principal active substance of marijuana. The medicine is destined to people with AIDS, cancer and sclerosis. Despite its high price the medicine sells well.
(LIBERATION 30/3)
FRANCE
Six months, parole and some administrative sanctions. This is the penalty requested for the President of the Center the Research on Cannabis (CIRC) Jean-Pierre Galland, and for other antiprohibitionist militants that some months ago sent a joint to every French MPs.
GREAT BRITAIN
London - Over 1,000 people from all over Europe participated in the demonstration in support of the legalization of hashish. The march was organized by the director of the Independent of Sunday Rosie Boycott as the final event of the IoS campaign against prohibition.
(CORSERA 29/3, LIBERATION, NEUE ZUERCHER ZEITUNG, SUDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG 30/3)
COLUMBIA
Representatives of 54 Spanish and Latin American organizations have founded a network of Non-Governmental Organizations specialized on narcotics. The objective is to facilitate the cooperation and the interchange of expertise on prevention, assistance and personell training.
(EL PAIS 6/4)
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