NCJ Number
145717
Date Published
1993
Length
31 pages
Annotation
A project was begun in 1990 to illuminate the similarities and differences of drug problems and policies in the United States, Canada, and Western European countries.
Abstract
This report draws upon the proceedings of researcher conferences held in Washington, DC, and Bellagio, Italy, in 1991. Among all the North American and Western European nations, the United States has the least tolerant drug policy, and the most severe drug problem; the Netherlands has the most tolerant policy and least severe problem. However, Norway, which is firmly prohibitionist, has less of a problem than does Spain, which is highly tolerant. Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland regard drug addiction as a health hazard rather than a crime. Germany, Norway, and Sweden regard it as a moral issue. In 1990, Italy, after 15 years of drug decriminalization, recriminalized drugs, then changed back in 1993. Germany is considering increasing the availability of methadone and needle exchange programs; Switzerland is planning a major experiment in heroin maintenance. 4 figures, 27 footnotes, and appendix