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Sengers Wijnand J. - 1 aprile 1989
3.3 NATIONAL DRUG POLICY - DRUG POLICY OF UNITED NATIONS, THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND EACH AUTONOMOUS STATE IN EUROPA
by Wijnand J.Sengers

(First preliminary English edition - April 1989 - 76 pages - Special number of the EMNDP-Newsletter, ISSN 1011-1336

(This document is subdivided in 10 texts within Agora'. To retreive the texts please digit the key-word "drug policy").

Here the main features of the drug policies of every European state will be given. To make comparisons between each state easier, subheadings will be in a fixed order.

I. Demografical, juridical and economical features of the state; main ideologies about illicit drugs

In this section four main topics come up for discussion in the next edition of April'90:

(a) basic demografical and political data (incl. population)

(b) characteristics of the state organisation (such as the question of whether a constitution exists; how legislation is made (tot stand komt); the division of duties(taakverdeling) between on the one side the government and parliament and on the other side local(lagere) government overheden; basic characteristics of maintainance of law/law enforcement (wetshandhaving);

(c) economic situation the private sector (particulier initiatief) and the church denomination's (kerkgenootschappen) place in the social strata (maatschappelijk gebeuren), in particular with reference to the use of and (van resp.) addiction to (een verslaafd raken aan) psychoactive substance respectively (legal and illegal).

(d) views on the use of and addiction to illegal drugs that determine (bepalen) the drug policy.

II. a/ Political decisionmaking b/ Publication of conventions and legislation.

In this section terms used in the original language will be mentioned and the titles of treaties and laws in which they are published.

III. a/ Current national drugs policy and the drugs policy of the government, b/ Government Bills, c/ Recommendations to the government about illicit drugs.

This section will primarily deal with the characteristics of the national drug policy (a). Then the legislation which refers to illicit drugs (b). And finally the reports/recommendations (adviezen) to the government concerning the subject which have been published (c).

IV. Drug legislation and other guidelines

IV.1 History;

IV.2 a/ title of the law, b/ publication of the law;

IV.3 punishable acts that do or do not conform to UN Conventions;

IV.3.1 the judicial position toward 'in possession for own use',

IV.3.2 distinction made between soft and hard drugs,

IV.4 kinds and degrees of punishment,IV.5 guidelines

V. Inquires into crimes committed under the drug laws.

The published data will be mentioned here.

'basic delicts' = punishable offences named in the Nacotic law (Opiumwet genoemde strafbare feiten).

VI. Convictions under the drug laws.

VII.Economic aspects of illicit traffic/the drugs trade.

VIII. Provision of care for drug users (organisations; aims of care provision; facilities within the care provision; AIDS prevention; compulsary abstention; substitution therapy; registration; prostitution)

IX. Organisations of drug users.

X. Scientific research or analysis; epidemiological data; statistics; important publications.

XI. Societal debate about the drugs problematic and the solutions to it; preventionactivities.

XII. Opposition to the current national policy.

XIII Most important problems and alarming epidemiological facts and figures (alcohol, smoking, psychopharmacy, illicit drugs (estimated number of addicts, number of drugrelated deaths (drugsdoden), HIVseropositivity and AIDS).

XIV. References from which the data are arrived.

Note (Opmerking):

It has been difficult for me to obtain information covering the afore mentioned 14 points which applies to each autonomous/separate (afzonderlijke) European state. The sole reason is that up until now I have had insufficient contact with persons or institutions who

can provide that information.

3.3.01 A L B A N I A

I. Main features

3 million inhabitants (1986)

socialistic republic (1945) with only one political party; strongly isolated

religious communities are forbidden

3.3.02 A U S T R I A

I. Main features

7,5 million inhabitants (1986)

IV. Drug legislation

1980: Neuformulierung des Suchtgiftgesetz: tightening up

There is no distinction between cannabis and opium.

V. Criminal investigation

In the statistics cannabis is not handled separately.

VI. Trials

19751979: Only 30% of drug offences (Drogendelikte) reported by the police were pursued by the public authorities and only 6% lead to convictions. 80% of the convictions concerned cases were the drugs were solely for own use and in possession for own use. At least half of these cases, probably concerned the use of hash only.

X. Scientific research

Ludwig BoltzmannInstitut für Suchtforschung (Wenen). Wilhem Burian r Minister für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales des Landes Nordrhein Westphalen. Mai 1987. 237 pp.

en Irmgard EisenbachStangl.

XIV. Publications

Wilhelm Burian Irmgard EisenbachStangl. Haschisch: Prohibition oder Legalisierung? Ursachen und Folgen des Cannabisverbots. Beltz Verlag, Basel 1982. 184 S.

A.Kreuzer. Reform des Drogen Strafrechts. 1975.

3.3.03 B E L G I U M

(information from Dr Michiline Roelandt, psychiatrist in Brussels. Dr Roelandt is EMNDP contactperson for Belgium)

I. Main features

9,9 million inhabitants

Belgium is since 1830 a kingdom. The Parliament consists of the Senate and the Chamber (=people's representatives). With exception of cases of 'special urgency', government proposals for a law has first to be presented to the State Council for recommendation, after which to the Chamber. Finally, it is signed by the king and published in the state gazette ("Staatsblad"). For more details on the administrative structure see II. Jurisdiction is in accordance with the Napoleontic Code (Code Pénal), including the 'opportunity principle'.

II. In 1968 (Egmond Pact), the 'language conflict' led to a restructuring of the state (the government and many institutions), based upon the division between the Wallonian (including Brussels) and Flemish regions. Since then there is a National Government (with ministries for justice, defense, external affairs etc.) and Regional Governments for both the Flemish and Wallonian Communities, respectively French speaking and Dutch speaking. Welfare and health are brought under the

authority of the Community Governments. Both communities have their own ministers for education, health care, cultural affairs etc. The term 'Government', always refers to the National Government of Belgium.

All laws apply nationwide, but the Communities can issue decrees through which in the respective language regions, certain laws can be extended. This is the case with illicit drugs, for instance when certain institutions are assigned a specific status by decree.

III. National Drug Policy

A national drug policy does not exist in Belgium. As the central authority the National Government takes no explicitly formulated stance. Therefore, the situation in the field of illegal drugs use and the corresponding criminality and other alarming consequences (for instance the deteriorating health of many addicts) vary from province to province. Moreover according to Belgium law, all public prosecuters have the right to decide if a crime is reported to a higher authority or not (OpportunityPrinciple). Thus, it is possible for a drug user who has committed a criminal offence to be merely under close police surveillance in one city, whereas in another place (or Arrondissement) he or she would end up in prison for the same offence. The OpportunityPrinciple included in Belgian legislation has thus advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages have just been explained: the danger of arbitrary decisions. The advantage consists of the chance that heavy sentences are not immediately implemented at the beginni

ng of a criminal career.

IV. Drug legislation

IV.1 History: the Law of 1921

IV.2 The Law of 9 July, 1975

This law is the most recent revision of the law of 1921. It is based on the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. In the course of it's preparation, agreements were made between the Justice Ministry and the Health Department. The Health Department was to improve treatment facilities, the Ministery of Justice would then be able to give addicts a choice between a sentence or professional help. Thus an addict came to be seen as a patient rather than a criminal. The law explicitly states this twofold approach of policy. The later effects of the interventions of the Health Care Department will be mentioned under VI.

IV.3 Criminal acts: the main crimes (production, transport, trade etc)

IV.3a The use of drugs is not a criminal offence, however the possession (even if for one's own use) and the persuasion of others to use drugs is a felony.

IV.3b. No distinction is made between soft and hard drugs.

IV.4 Kinds and degrees of punishments

IV.5 Special guidelines

(see under VIII, Association of Physicians)

V. Inquires into crimes named in the law of 9th june, 1975.

The criminal investigation apparatus consist of the state police (Rijkswacht) which falls under national government control and the local constabulary which falls under the control of the local authority.

Within the 'Rijkswacht' is a branch known as the "Belgische Opsporings Brigade = B.O.B.", which is among other things is responsible for inquires where illicit drugs are involved. The "police judiciare" also has its own drug squads.

See further under III.

VI. Juridical approach to the facts as listed in the law of 9th July, 1975.

The new wording of the law differs from the old wording in two important ways:

the addict can now be put on probation: i.e. prosecution and sentence can be postponed under certain circumstances. These circumstances vary greatly from case to case;

an article is included which can exempt the addict from further prosecution if he or she helps the police with their inquires into other criminal offences committed by others, the addict may for instance disclose the name(s) of those who sold the drugs. The French call this "la délation".

These two amendments give rise to many undesirable situations. 'La délation' leads to the betrayel of friends, to contrived alibi's and false accusations in order to be set free. Also, this leads to the denounciation of those physicians who did not adhere strictly to the rules when substitute drugs were prescribed. A probational sentence gives rise to deception when the individual on probation has to appear before a court representitive of the court (for example the Court's physician) for checks . Further more, it may be the case that there is an accumulation of suspended jail sentences and at a certain point the deliquent is no longer given a probational sentence for a subsequently committed crime. This means that the accumulated sentences are no longer suspended and the individual is faced with a long prison sentence all at once.

During the last years physicians have in increasing numbers, been subjected to prosecution. Initially nothing was done about this by either the Flemish nor the Wallonian Association of Physicians (Orde der Geneesheren c.q. Ordre des Médecins). One of the best known examples is that of the Brussel's psychiatrist Jacques Baudour, well known for his integrity. He who wrote a book about this state of affairs (L'Amour condamné, Pierre Mardaga publ., 1987, 280 pages). The prosecution against him began in 1978. This turned out to be quite difficult in the beginning because he was a member of the Board of the Association of Physicians in the province of Brabant. See the interview with his lawyer Anne Krywin under X and Chapter 5.

VIII. The provision of care.

A. Policy development

It has already been said that:

health care facilities were to be improved by the departments of Health of the two communities. Although it was the state that was to see to this, since 1975 there have been several nonprofit organisations set up, that providing care services.

Doctors are not allowed to prescribe opiates as substitute drugs.

Addicted delinquents can go unsentenced if they apply for treatment at one of the (nonprofit) organisations that provide care.

The Association of Physicians (l'Ordre des Médecins/Orde der Geneesheren) organises at provincial level, the annual distribution of new and increasingly rigid guidelines. Last year, the French speaking Ordre des Médecins of the province of Brabant (to which Brussels belongs) presented such a 'Communique' which as of 1st March, 1988 forbids all doctors to prescribe opiates as a substitute for heroin and even to accept addicts for treatment. Every addict has to be referred to a specialized institution with multidisciplinary teams. This Communique includes a list of all such institutions in Brabant. In April 1988, about 40 doctors from Brussels protested against this farreaching measure. Nevertheless the guidelines were not changed.

Nationally there prevails a strong feeling for stopping the free access to pain killers. Recently, free sale of Aspirine was prohibited. Since then it is only available on medical prescription or one has to give one's name and address when purchasing it.

All the institutions providing care (such as day clinics, consultation centers) are abstention oriented. Treatment consists of behavioral therapy, group therapy or psychoanalysiticoriented psychotherapy. There are some clinics where the staff may decide to use substitutes temporary in the course of a drug reduction schedule. If admission to a psychiatric hospital is necessary, the client will in most cases undergo a typically clinical psychiatric treatment in accordance with traditional methods.

B. The provision of care to drug addicts

According to the Guidelines of the Association of Physicians the situation differs from province to province. What is common, is a recent decline in facilities provided for an individualoriented, 'first line' (by the general practitioner) approach. General practitioners have little chance to help addicts anymore, they are certainly forbidden to prescribe Methadon (Bungodin). Not surprisingly, this leads to addicts avoiding medical care or to their addiction being hidden for as long as possible. Seen from the health care point of view this is a precarious situation. The nonspecialized care providing institutions lack the financial resources to evaluate their results. Generally, with the exception of two institutions in

Brussels: Solbosch and De Spiegel, where research funds exist no money is assigned to evaluation studies.

Methadone programs are possible if carried out by assigned institutions.

C. Care providing organisations and staff organisations

Supported by the ministeries, the former C.N.A.D. (Concertation National Alcohol Drogues) was split into a Wallonian and a Flemish organisation when the two communities developed: the C.P.A.D. (Concertation Prévention Alcool Drogues) and the Flemish V.A.D. (Vereniging Alcohol Drugs). Chairman of the V.A.D. is prof Dr Ansoms (The Catholic University of Leuven). The national C.N.A.D. does no practical work except for administration of finances. Part of the budget is aimed at research. Both new organisations mainly take care of educational courses for officials working at the O.C.M.W.(Openbaar Centraal Maatschappelijk Welzijn), an instituition similar to the Local Social Services (Gemeentelijke sociale diensten) in The Netherlands.

The wellknown priest Gustave Stoop of SOS Jeunes and active member of the Socialist Party and founder of "Prospective Jeunesse" which is mainly an information centre contributing to prevention, took the initiative to set up the "Commission Information Toxicomane" (C.I.T.). This group came into being in 1984 through the cooperation of parents' groups, teachers' groups, Prospective Jeunesse, the C.P.A.D. and the ministry. This C.I.T. published several documents. It has a scientific committee that in 1985 organized a colloquium on the illusions of prevention.

X. Scientific research and analysis

A. University research.

There is not much university research in the field of illegal drugs. Some sociologists do research on it at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B.). This is the only research on drugs at all eight Belgian universities.

B. Other research

A large questionaire is being prepared. There are some evaluation projects being carried out (at Solbosch and De Spiegel, both in Brussels).

C. Important publications

Charles Tisseyre. La drogue en Belgique (1977)

André Decourriere. Le Toxicomane; Criminel ou Malade? Presse Universitaire de Bruxelles, 1986

Psychotropes. Un journal d'information sur les drogues et leurs usages. First issue 1984. A quarterly for French speaking regions/countries. See chapter 5.

Les usages de drogues illicites, les lois et leur application en Belgique. Une interview d'Anne Krywin par Micheline Roelandt. Psycho

tropes, Vol IV, No 1, Automne 1987 pag 23 29.

Jacques Baudour. L'Amour Condamné. Uitg Pierre Mardaga 1986.

XI. Discussions in society concerning drug problems and their solutions. see XII (colloquium C.I.T.)

XII. Opposition to current drug policy

Within the C.I.T. there is a 'commission juridique' which organized a conference on June 14, 1986. 100 Participants had been invited, all from Brussels: probation officers, judges, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, lawyers, therapists. The most important conclusions reached were that the law had to be reviewed and that there existed a discrepancy between the attention paid to drug use and the misuse of medicine. A small commission of therapists and lawyers was formed to develop proposals for a new law. These have not yet been completed. The conference report has been published (see XIV)

Proponents of a normalization of drug policy in Belgium: Lode van Outrive (Université Catholique de Louvain la Neuve), Jacques Baudour (Brussels), Anne Krywin (Brussels), Luuk Blondeel (Gent), Luc van den Bossche (parlementariër Socialistische Partij), prof Janssens ("Instituut voor huisartsgeneeskunde" = Institute for G.P. Medicine, University of Antwerp), Willy Eilenbosch (epidemiologist, university of Antwerp), Dr Micheline Roelandt (psychiatrist, Brussels).

In general, there will be more jurists among them than form other professions; there are supposedly only a few proponents among the staff members of the care providing institutions.

XIII. Most important problems and alarming facts and figures.

a. Most important problems;

The national government in Brussels has no clearcut drug policy.

The present law (from 9th July, 1975) leads to many unanticipated and unhealthy circumstances;

The Association of Physicians distributes the binding treatment guidelines for the Wallonian as well as the Flemish provinces;these allow neither early help within the first line (G.P.) health care, nor longer terms communitybased treatment facilities;

The judicial authorities as well as the Association of Physicians display an increasingly repressive approach to drug problems.

b. Alarming facts and figures

XIV. References

Les usages de drogues illicites, les lois et leur application en Belgique. Une interview d'Anne Krywin par Micheline Roelandt. Psychotropes Vol IV, No. 1, Automme 1987, pages 23 29.

see X, under C

Journée d'Etude. le 14 Juin 1986. Actes. "Justices et Thérapeutes face aux Toxicomanes. Publication of Prospective Jeunesse (Rue Mercelis 27, 1050 Bruxelles. Tel. 02/512.17.66) and Commission française de la Culture (Avenue Louise 166, 1050 Bruxelles. Tel 02/643.02.46 S.P.).

3.3.04 B U L G A R I A

I. Main features

Socialistic republic with only one political party

9 million inhabitants

3.3.05 C Z E K O S L O V A K I A

Ia. Main features

16 million inhabitants (1986)

socialistic republic

VIII. Provision of care

There are 6000 registered drug addicts.

3.3.08 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

(Deutsche Demokratische Republik, DDR)

I. Main features

17 million inhabitants (1986)

3.3.07 D E N M A R K

Ia. Main features

5,1 million inhabitants

IV. Drug laws

IV.2 Title and publication

Lov om euforisierende stoffer 1955, nr 169

IV.3 Punishable offences: the basic delicts

IV.3a judicial position toward 'possession for own use'

not stated in the law, but through the persuing policy a situation has been reached where 'possession for own use' is to a certain degree not punished (instructions for the implimentation of the policy by the Attorny General, see IV.5)

IV.4 Kinds and degrees of punishment

The basic delicts are punished with a prison sentence of max. 2 years or detention for min 7 days to max 6 months or a fine. Concidered to be serious circumstances are: a/ trading with several individuals where conciderable profit is made, max. 6 years imprisonment. b/ trading in large quatities with particularly dangerous or harmful substances and when the handling of these substances in any other way is exceptionaly dangerous.

IV.5 Other guidelines

From the Attorny General: a circular letter no 144 of 15th july, 1969, pages 233235.

VIII. Provision of care

Based on a resocialisation model

Programs providing methadon are in principle possible; although in fact it is rarely given.

3.3.08 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (Bundesrepublik Deutschland, BRD)

I. Main features

61 million inhabitants

federal republic of rather autonomic 'Bundesländer'

III. Government papers and advice to the government

November 1970: Aktionsprogramm zur Bekämpfung des Drogen und Rauschmittelmiszbrauchs (Action program for the fight against drug abuse)

1978: Gleichrängigkeit von Terrorismus und Drogenbekämpfung. (Fighting terrorism and fighting illicit drugs became issues of equal urgency)

1981 (?). Bund Deutscher Kriminalbeamter (BDK): Konzeption zur Intensivierung der Bekämpfung der Rauschgiftkriminalität.(Concept for the intensification of the fight against drugrelated crimes).

Bundesregierung. Erfahrungsbericht über die Neuordnung des Betäubungsmittelrechts, Dezember 1983 (Federal government: Report about the experiences caused by the reorganisation of the drug legislation).

IV. Betäubungsmittelgesetz

IV.1 History

1901. Morphine is accessible only on prescription. Heroin was freely accessible until after World War I.

1929 Erste Betäubungsmittelgesetz/ First drug law.

1971. Gesetz zur Änderung des Gesetzes über den Verkehr mit Betäubungsmitteln ('Opiumgesetz' vom 10. Dezember 1929; BGBl. 1971, I, 2092). Revision of the law.

No distinction is made between cannabis and opiates.

IV.2 Title and publication

1982: Neuordnung des Betäubungsmittelrechts

Most important changes:

Kronzeuge ( 31)/ chief witness

neue Tatbestände: Neben der Einführung der Tatbestände Anbau, Verleiten, sonstiges Verschaffen, Geldmittel bereitstellen und Werbung hat sicherlich die Einführung der Begriffe 'geringe' und 'nicht geringe Menge' erhebliche Folgen für die Rechtsprechung gehabt./

die allgemeine Erhöhung der Strafandrohung:

. Höchststrafe von 10 auf 15 Jahre

. in den täglichen Verfahren gegen die KleinstVerstösze (Grundtatbestände oder allgemeine Verstösze gegen das BtMG) von 3 auf 4 Jahre Haft. Therapievorschriften in 35 bis 38 für 'betäubungsmittelabhängige Straftäter'

Formulierungshilfe der Bundesregierung zum BtMG

IV.3 Punishable Offences

see IV.2 (neue Tatbestände)

IV.4 Kinds and degrees of punishment

see IV.2 (Erhöhung der Strafandrohung)

V. Investigation into crimes listed in the Opium Law

Compared to 1970, in 1984 there are four times as many individuals involved in inquires into acts that are liable to persecution.

The FRG has set up several data registers:

. Bundeszentralregister/ central federal register

. Datenbank Betäubungsmittelgesetz (beim Bundesministerium für Jugend, Familie und Gesundheit)

. PIOSRauschgift (PIOS = PersonenInformationenObjekteSachen). . Zentralkomputer beim Bundes Kriminal Amt (BKA)

. Falldatei Rauschgift

. Arbeitsdatei Heroin

. Grenzfahndungssysteme

. das Zollprogramm 'Inzoll'

. die Komputerprogramme sämtlicher Stadt und Landeskriminalämter

. Handdateien bei jedem Rauschgiftdezernat vorhanden

. Datenverbünde mit den amerikanischen Drug Enforcement Adminisration (DEA)

. Computern der Interpol

Of the estimate total of used drugs little more than 1.8% has been confiscated by police and customs officers.

VI. Drug related crime and penalties

The kind of drug use is of importance for the measure of punishment.

In the criminal and justice statistics (Kriminal und Justizstatistieken) a difference is made between offences against the nacotics law (allgemeine Verstösze gegen das Betäubungsmittelgesetz) and illegal trading and smuggling (illegaler Handel und Schmuggel). Among the first category fall even the smallest acts, for instance: the possession of drugs (differentiated according to quality); giving drugs to others; having a cannabis plant in the home; buying for private use and using the drug. The statistics also distinguish between criminal offences (Delikte) and the culprit (Täter).

In 1979 a total of 11.715 sentences were imposed: 24% fines; 11% reeducation and 62% imprisonment. Of the latter, the length of the 7251 sentences were as follows: 20% less than 6 months, 39% up to 12 months, 27% up to 24 months, 12% up to 5 years and 2% longer than 5 years. About half of all these were partly suspended sentences.

In 1983 a total 11 sentences were for imprisonment for between 10 and 15 years. 40,071 of the criminal acts denounced in 1983 were categorized as 'general offences', that meant a third of all acts liable to prosecution were of a less serious category, two thirds

(27,410 cases = over 60%) of these involved cannabis.

[40,071 der 1983 angezeigten Delikte entfielen in den Bereich der 'allgemeine Verstösze'. Es waren also 66,3 Prozent aller Delikte im untersten Bereich des BtMG festzustellen, zweiDrittel, 27410 von ihnen, mehr als 60%, wurden im Zusammenhang mit Cannabis belangt.]

In the category, 'illegal trading and smuggling'(illegaler Handel und Schmuggel) comparing with the statistics, which incidently do not quote specific quantities it seems that of the total registered offences in 1983 (16,030 = for heroin), an average of 22g heroin or 110g marihuana was involved. Here too, the majority of cases (60% of the 23,670 registered offences) involved cannabis.

Up to 80% of young people are caught in a kind of judical vicious circle, the scenepolicecourtprison.

The vast majority of those arrested were in possession of enough for their own private use, or at most enough to share some with acquaintances.

_ In 1983 approximately 50% of all cannabis cases in Hamburg, that were dealt with by the Ministry of Internal affairs, involved quantities less than 10g. Only 21 of the 2,185 cannabis related offences involved more than 1Kg. Of the 174 prison sentences which were not suspended, 93 involved cannibis offences.

[ bis zur 80% der jungen Menschen kommen aus dem Kreislauf SzenePolizeiGerichtGefängnis nicht mehr heraus.

90% of those convicted for heroinrelated (samenhangend) offences are heroin addicts (Bundeskriminalamt).

der überwiegende Teil der von der Polizei Ausgegriffenen hatte nur lediglich ein kleines Stück zum Eigenverbrauch oder höchstens zur Weitergabe an ein Paar Bekannte in der Tasche.

Hamburg 1983: in about 50% of the cases, the public procecutor and the lawcourts were occupied with charging and convicting culprits in the jurisdiction of Cannabis products that concerned less than 10 grams. Only 21 of the 2185 Cannabis offences concerned more than a kilo. Of the 174 unconditional prison sentences 93 had reference to Cannabis.]

VII Economic aspects of the drugs trade.

there has developed a 'Captagonmarkt' (captagon market), accessible on the one hand by medical prescription and on the other by the black market.

in Turkey 1Kg of heroin still costs DM 7,000, the same amount is sold in West Germany for DM 450,000.

VIII. The provision of care for drug users

based on the medical model, in which the user is either a patient or a criminal.

Welfare organisations (Drogenberatungsstellen) experience a lot of pressure from the legal system.

Abstention (Abstinenz) is still seen as the main goal throughout. In general, no Polamidon = methadon (exception: the Bochum experiments, Essen and Düsseldorf see under). Often an 'AIDStest'is compulsary. There is no distribution of unused 'clean' intravenous needles (Einmalspritzen), with the exception of the experiment in

Bremen.

Admission into deintoxification centres, which always form part of the general clinics (allgemeine Kliniken), is often only possible if the addict agrees to longterm therapy (Langzeittherapie). Too few admission possibilities exist for those who wish to enter programs. Consequently there are long waiting lists which result in the useraddict becoming less motivated when he/she finally enters a program. Welfare organisations reach at the most 10% of those needing help (Abhängigen).

Drug users detention centre, the 'Drogenknast Brauel' of Hamburg.

The 'stationäre' therapy (is a possibility for those with short sentences) has a 6, 9 or even 18 months duration, many who choose this option, do so because it is probably seen as an easy escape.

see also IV above (Therapy agreements)

In 1987, in Bochum, Essen and Düsseldorf (Land NordrheinWestfalen), there started a five year experimental period with methadon programs under strict conditions. Participants are expected to adhere to the demands of the therapy agreement (see Van Atteveld, 1988).

These experiments are "scientific programs". Even though Essen has between 1500 and 2000 addicts, the experiment is restricted to 25 participants. The start date was march 1988. The participants must be at least 22 years old; having had at least two attempts to become "clean"; must not be addicted to other substances and no more than the half of the participants may be HIV seropositive. In december 1988, there were only 10 participants due to these strict conditions. Together, the three programs involving a total of 75 clients, cost two million DM. The program in Essen is tied to the university psychitric clinic and is headed by the Swiss prof. Markus Gastpar.

Since august 1988 a methadon reduction program (for 2 to 5 weeks) has been introduced in a 'Entzugstation ' called 'Cleanok' in Lengerich near Osnabrück; this is the first of it's kind in west Germany. The local hospital has reserved 8 beds for this detoxification program. By now (Dec. 1988) 40 clients have been helped by the program, a further 20 are on the waiting list. The initiative was lead by Jan Heutlass (social worker). In the state alone (Land NordrheinWestfalen) there are 1,100 addicts in therapy and 1,600 in prison.

A system, introduced in 1979, which applies to all drugs scheduled under the international Conventions: each doctor recieves, on request, a limited number of prescription forms which must be used when these drugs are prescribed. (see: Ghodse Khan, WHO 1988 p. 59)

[ Fachverband Drogen und Rauschmittel (1983): die aktuelle Anwendung des neuen BtMG ( 35) verhindert bei vielen drogenabhängigen Menschen die Möglichkeit für eine Therapie in einer selbstgewählten offenen Einrichtung.

Lit: Medikamentengestützte Rehabilitation bei Drogenabhängigen. Dokumentation über ein internationales Drogensymposium in Düsseldorf. Der Minister für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales des Landes Nordrhein Westphalen. Mai 1987.]

Conference (Frankfurt, November 1987) on Methadon. The speakers included: Wolfgang Winckler, Enno Lücht. I have not as yet received a

report about this conference.

In Hessen, carrying intravenous needles on one's person is concidered to be incriminating evidence.

X. Scientific research

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Suchtforschung

Max Planck Institut (München and Freiburg)

ARCHIDO, Universität Bremen. See 7.

XI.

XII. Opposition to the present policy

Grün Alternative Liste (GAL), Hamburg

Arbeitskreis Junger Kriminologen (AJK)

Die Grünen (Bonn); die Tageszeitung

Alternative: die Grünen in der Bürgerschaft (Am Dobben 92, 2800 Bremen)

Tim Jacob Gluckman M.A.(Econ.), Richard Wagnerstr 43, 5000 Köln 1, tel 0221232691 is initiator of a calender (first draft May 1988)

German Section of the European Movement for the Normalization of Drug Policy. Contact person Heino Stöver, Universität Bremen Archiv und Dokumentationszentrum für Deutschsprachige Drogenliteratur, Fachbereich 9. Postfach 330440, 2800 Bremen 33. Tel (0421) 218.3173

Berndt Georg Thamm. Drogenfreigabe Kapitulation oder Ausweg? Verlag Deutsche Polizeiliteratur GMBH (Reihe Polizei Politik) 1989.

Gewerbschaft der Polizei (GdP) fordert Diskussion um Freigabe von Drogen (Tagesspiegel, Berlin Nr 13.283, 6. Juni 1989 S. 20; Die Welt 6.Juni; Tageszeitung 6.Juni; Hamburger Abendblatt Nr 129; Frankfurter Rundschau 6.Juni; Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung Nr 129, 6.Juni; Rheinische Post 6.6.89; Kölner Stadtanzeiger Nr 129, 6.6.89; Stuttgarter Zeitung Nr 127, 6.6.89; Der Tagesspiegel Nr 13.384, 7.6.89).

XIV. References

Irmgart Vogt. Drogenpolitik. Herder u Herder, 1975

HansGeorg Behr Andreas Juhnke und andere. Drogenpolitik in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Rowohlt, 1985

F. Bschor. Zur Revision des Abstinenzparadigmas in der Behandlung Suchtkranker. Leitartikel Deutsche Medizinischer Wochenschrift 112, Jrg 23, 5. Juni 1987.

J. van Atteveld. See 3.3.16 (The Netherlands)

Arthur Kreuzer. Das deutsche Betäubungsmittelgesetz und seine rechtspolitischen Grundlagen. See: Burian EisenbachStangl (3.3.02, XIV)

H. Ghodse I.Khan. Psychoactive drugs: Improving prescribing practices. WHO, 1988

NRC Handelsblad December 2, 1988 (artikel van Tracy Metz)

Medikamentengestützte Rehabilitation bei Drogenabhängigen. Dokumentation über ein internationales Drogensymposium in Düsseldorf. Der Minister für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales des Landes Nordrhein Westphalen. Mai 1987. 237 pp.

3.3.09 F R A N C E

I. Main features

55 million inhabitants (1986)

III.a Policy of the government

Comité interministériel de lutte contre la toxicomanie. Présidé par le Premier ministre.

Créé en 1982, il est chargé de définir, d'animer et de coordonner la politique du Gouvernement en matière de lutte contre la toxicomanie et notamment, les actions de prévention et de réinsertion sociales relatives aux toxicomanes.

Mission interministérielle de Lutte contre la Toxicomanie (M.I.L.T). 71, rue Saint Dominique 75007 Paris. Tél.(1) 45 55 63 20.

Sous la tutelle du Ministère de la Justice depuis juin 1986, la Mission a pour but de coordiner l'action interministérielle et veille à l'exécution des décisions prises par le Comité Interministériel.

Elle oriente et coordonne les actions d'information et d'éduation sanitaire du public ainsi que la formation des personnes appelées à intervenir dans la lutte contre la toxicomanie. Elle définit les mesures tendant à la réinsertion sociale des toxicomanes et veille à leur mise en oeuvre.

Son action est relayée dans les départements par les Comités Départementaux de Lutte contre la Toxicomanie présidës par le Préfet, Commissair de la République. Ces relais doivent poursuivre et approfondir l'action des "bureaux de liaison de lutte contre la toxicomanie" crées en 1971.

Action du Ministère de l'Education Nationale

IV. Drug laws and further guidelines

IV.1 History

La loi du 30 juin 1838

La loi de 1916 en France

La loi du 15 avril 1954

La circulaire du 15 mars 1960

La loi du 31 décembre 1970:

. Sur le plan de l'assistence, elle permet aux toxicomanes de se faire soigner la gratuité des soins relatifs à la toxicomanie et le droit de l'anonymat.

. Sur le plan répressif, la lourdeur des peines pour la vente, la détention de drogue, l'importation, etc... est un élément majeur de la lutte contre le trafic.

. La pénalisation du simple usage de drogues, ne donne les résultats que sous la forme de l'injonction thérapeutique (compulsary treatment): le toxicomane est adressé par l'autorité sanitaire ou judiciaire à un centre d'acceuil ou de soins.

Pelletier Committee (1977) recommended maintaining the status quo to the parliament: Mission d'étude sur l'ensemble des problèmes de la drogue (Documentation Française, 1978).

IV.2 (a/ title of the law; b/ publication date)

a. La loi no. 701320 du 31 décembre 1970 relative aux mesures sanitaires de lutte contre la toxicomanie et à la répression du trafic et de l'usage des substances vénéneuses (see IV.1)

Décret No. 71690 du 19 aout 1971 fixant les conditions dans lesquelles les personnes ayant fait un usage illicite de stupéfiant et inculpées d'infraction à artcle L.628 du code de la santé publique peuvent être astreintes à subir une cure de désintoxication.

Loi No. 871157 du 31 décembre 1987 relative à la lutte contre le trafic de stupéfiants et modifiant certaines dispositions du code pénal. Cette loi aggrave la situation juridique du trafiquant.

b. Journal Officiel du 3 janvier 1971.

V. criminal investigation

Central office of addicts of the Central direction C.I.D. (Paris)

l'Office central de répression contre le trafic illicite de stupéfiants (OCRTIS)

VIII.Provision of care for drug /users/addicts

Association national des intervenants en toxicomanie (ANIT). Secretariat: 7, Rue de la Résistence, Fr 42000 St. Etienne. Revue de l'ANIT: Interventions. Réd: see ANIT

StatutsConvention:

Article II Cette association a pour but:

1/ d'être un moyen de rencontre, d'éhange et d'expression des intervenenants en toxicomanie

(...)

4/ de veiller à la reconnaissance du Toxicomane en tant que personne dans tous les lieux décisionnels où il est en question,

5/ d'affirmer et de défendre la conception selon laquelle le phénomène de la toxicomanie ne peut être isolé du contexte social, idéologique et de la civilation dans lequel il s'inscrit

(...).

Formation Interventions Recherche Sida Toxicomanies (FIRST). Directeur: Dr D.Touzeau.

(l'association FIRST s'intéresse aux politiques locales de prévention et à l'interface Sida/Toxicomanie).

. Colloque international (Paris 9 and 10 decembre 1988): Sida et Toxicomanie: Répondre

In France there exists a multiplicity of decentralised ways of aidgiving. The main forms (different types of institutions) are: 'Clubs et équipes de prévention spécialisés' (working in the streets, they are the first who have a direct contact with people who are marginalized); 'Centres d'acceuil, d'orientation et de consultation pour toxicomanes' (numerous in the region of Paris and in the provinces départements); 'Centres médicaux et centres hospitaliers spécialisés' (they organise in cooperation with the Centres d'acceuil etc, the detoxification; 'Centres d'hébergement spécialisés' (houses for people who are detoxificated); 'Centres de postcure' (during several months they help the detoxificated to retry from their original group, help finding work and a reintegration in a normal social context); 'Familles d'acceuil'; 'Appartements thérapeutiques'; 'Antennes toxicomanie en prison et services médicopsychorégionaux'; 'Associations de parents'; 'Centres de thérapie familiale'; 'Recherches scientifiques Form

ation'; 'Fondations Associations'; and many particular local initiatives.

It is found dangerous to give an unique, massive and standardised answer to the problems of addicts.

Methadon is given only exceptionally

X. Scientific research and education

The last survey of INSERM (1986) in 17 regions under 5000 addicts on illicit drugs revealed that 78% was under 30 years. The majority of them are betweeen 20 and 24 years. 45% of them are living with their parents or in a hostel (in 1971: a lower percentage). Most addicts use more than one drug.

Centre National de Documentation sur les Toxicomanies (C.N.D.T.).

14, avenue Berthelot 69007 Lyon. Tel 72729307.

Université Paris XII ValdeMarne. Département Education Permanente (Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil; Tél:(1)48.98.91.44 poste 25.83).

Organise des stages destinés aux professionnels ou aux personnes qui, ayant à connaitre des problèmes liés aux toxicomanes, ont besoin de recevoir une formation théorique.

IX. Organisations of drugusers

For twenty years now the Patriarche (Le Patriarche) has expanded as a welfare organisation for (ex)addicts, devoting itself to opposition of the oppressive judicial system which even criminalizes the use of hash and marijuana. The monthly, 'Antitox' is published in four languages (red. Chateau de la Motte Saint Crezert, Fr 31330 Grenade sur Garonne; tel 61.826747).

The organisation was set up in 1968 by Lucien J. Engelmajer (1920) and now has 200 centres in France, Italy, Spain and South America, a further 100 associations are either totally dependent or affiliated to it. The centres have received 20.000 young addicts, of those 5,000 of the different nationalities have already been rehabilitated. The Patriarche is very much antimedical, the emphasis lies with the 'immunodépression'. Engelmajer established in 1983 the 'Institut de Documentation et Recherches Européenne sur la Toxicomanie 'and in 1988, 'ADDEPOS', an organisation for HIV seropositives, that incidently publishes the 'Journal POSITIF'.

X. Research

INSERM

prof. C. Olievenstein (Centre Marmottan, Paris)

XII. Opposition to present policy.

Georges Apap, Procureur de la République à Valence (Le Monde, deuxième moitie du mois Janvier 1987: L'audiance de rentrée du 8 janvier 1987)

Contact person for France of the EMNDP: Dominique ConchonRiffis. 33, Rue Maurice Arnoud. 92120 Montrouge. Tel 42.535291.

XIII. Important problems and alarming facts and figures

Alcoholism is the third cause of death. Five million of French people drink to much; three million of them may be considered as alcoholics.

350.000 fatal road accidents and 6,6 million invalidities caused by road accidents, in the past 30 years; 3/4 of the victims were between 15 and 25 years old. Therefore there are almost 5 million young people in wheelchairs. (quoted from a Prime Minister's speach, 1988)

In 1986: 14560 deaths on alcohol, 26000 on lungcancer (tobacco), 10380 on roadaccidents, 12489 on suicides, 170 on overdoses.

XIV. References

dossier 'Le model de soins français'. Interventions (Juin 1988), ANIT. 18 pages.

Politiques locales et toxicomanie; Actes du colloque 'Politiques locales et toxicomanie', 22 et 23 janvier 1988. Document de l'Institut National de la Jeunesse no. 1. 201 pages. Réd: Val Flory, Rue Paul Leplat, Fr 78160 Marly le Roi. Tél: (1)39584911.

La brochure "Lutte contre les toxicomanies et l'alcoolisme" (Centre d'Information et de Documentation Jeunesse CIDJ. 101, quai Branly, 75015 Paris) 1988, 47 pages.

 
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