ABSTRACT: No longer are just the Radical Party and the anti-prohibitionist movement questioning the effectiveness of prohibitionist policies. This reforming movement has been joined by a prestigious ally and its principles have found support in the highest echelons of the European Community.

Although open support of the simple legalization of drugs is not yet forthcoming, the agenda now contains the "regulation of the commerce of substances currently prohibited".

(THE PARTY new - n. 6 - march 1992)

The commission of inquiry set up by the European Parliament in April 1991 has submitted its conclusions after a nine-month examination of numerous documents and reports and after hearing experts and those in charge of the fight against drugs. A meticulous analysis of the concrete results of current policies, including cost and benefits on the basis of precise criteria, such as the curve of trafficking, the number of overdoses, the state of delinquency and criminality, the spread of AIDS, the consequences of drug traffic on the legal economy has led to the opinion that the worsening of the problem is not casual, and that by no means must the only response be a redoubling of repressive measures: indeed, any worsening is the logical consequence of the illegal nature of drugs themselves.

The Commission recommendation is that criminal status should not be given to "the possession of illicit drugs in small quantities for personal use, so as to avoid turning the drug addict into a criminal, thereby compromising any chance of social reintegration". The report continues: "Drug addicts must be guaranteed free access to medical treatment and to free syringes, and the prescription of substitute medicines (temgesic and methadone). It is urged that drug addicts are taken into charge, socially and in terms of health, guaranteeing availability of uncut drugs, in precise doses, in order to reduce the risk of death by overdose, contamination with the AIDS virus, and induced criminality".

As far as the efforts of the fight against drugs are concerned, "they must not concentrate on users and the lower echelons of the hierarchy of drug trafficking, but rather on international organized crime at its highest levels".

The report suggests a re-think of the classification of drugs on a more logical basis. The scale begins with ultra-soft drugs such as tea, coffee or chocolate, through to hard drugs such as heroine or crack. Between these two extremes lie hashish, tovacco or alcohol, classified as medium-soft drugs; LSD, amphetamines and cocaine, classified as medium-hard drugs. According to the report, this classification shows the need for a single health policy towards all drugs, independent of their legal status.

Thus the change for which the Radical Party has been fighting has its first prestigious expression of support in this official European Parliament document which urges "a pragmatic move towards drug-related harm reduction".

This result is a triumph for anti-prohibitionists. No longer is debate on the legalization of drugs a taboo subject within institutions, at last it can be taken into consideration.