Dutch drug policy even more effective
than previously thought!
Illegal drug use in the U.S. and the Netherlands (1997)
EVER USED
USED PAST YEAR
USED PAST MONTH
USA
DUTCH
USA
DUTCH
USA
DUTCH
MARIJUANA
32.9
15.6
9.0
4.5
5.1
2.5
COCAINE
10.5
2.1
1.9
0.6
0.7
0.2
INHALANTS
5.7
0.5
1.1
0.1
0.4
Too small to measure
HEROIN
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.1
Too small to measure
Too small to measure
Source U.S.: National Household Survey 1997 SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, Washington, DC.
Source the Netherlands: M. Abraham, P. Cohen, M. DeWinter; Licit and Illicit drug use in the Netherlands,
Center for Drug Research, University of Amsterdam.
"The Netherlands follows a strong public health approach to drug use.
The Dutch do not normally arrest people for possession or distribution of
small amounts of drugs, and even allow the sale of small amounts of
marijuana from specialized shops. In addition to our research showing
lower levels of drug use, the Netherlands' rate of incarceration is about
11% of the United States' as a result of these policies."
- Peter Cohen, Ph.D., Center for Drug Research, University of Amsterdam -
Can we learn from others?
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