When it comes to penalties for the sale and use of illicit drugs, every country has its own set of rules and regulations. What may be deemed socially acceptable in one part of the world may literally be punishable by death in another. The following is a brief review of some of the differences between these countries – and how they each approach the health crisis that can occur when a significant portion of the population is abusing drugs.
The Drug Policies of Australia
Despite a growing counter-culture that supports the legalization of marijuana and other drugs, the laws in Australia concerning drug abuse and drug sales are similar to the United States. There is a strong emphasis placed on drug education in the schools starting as early as the equivalent to American middle school.
Drug Laws in the Netherlands
The biggest difference between the drug laws of the Netherlands and the United States is that the Dutch government approaches the problem as a health issue (and not a criminal issue). The country invests much more money into the treatment of drug addiction (and education) than it does the imprisonment of potential users. Most notably, the Netherlands is the only country to completely decriminalize the use and sale of marijuana.
United States Drug Laws
The penalties for drug possession or sale in the United States can be harsh, as evidenced by the fact that a large percentage of the prison population in this country is comprised of individuals with a drug problem. Then-president Richard Nixon began the “war on drugs” in the 1970’s, and since that time the country has spent billions of dollars trying drug users in a court of law and pursuing drug traffickers at all open borders (and within the states themselves).
Drug Policy in the United Kingdom
The Brits have always maintained their own take on drug laws, as things are no different in the 21st century. The Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 broke down all drug-related offenses into three categories: Class A, Class B and Class C – with “A” being the most dangerous drugs and so on. While certain possession laws are more liberal in Great Britain than in the United States, possession with an intent to sell carries with it the potential of life imprisonment.
Switzerland Drug Laws and Policies
Switzerland is home to some of the most liberal policies in the world in terms of drug-related offenses. The emphasis of the Swiss government is on “prevention, therapy, harm reduction and prohibition” – putting a special emphasis on helping drug addicts receive comprehensive treatment, and doing everything in their power to insure the safety of active users. In fact, the country was recently the focus on worldwide controversy thanks to government-sponsored “safe rooms” where heroin addicts could shoot up with clean needle in a non-threatening environment.
Drug Laws in Germany
German drug policies are considered among the strictest in Europe. Although serious penalties are attached to the sale or possession of large quantities of drugs, there is no criminal action taken for small-scale possession or the use of many narcotics including marijuana. The German government has even gone so far as to allow for supervised “drug rooms” like those found in Netherlands, where individuals can safely use their drug of choice, and receive counseling when needed.
The Future of Drug Laws Around the Globe
More progressive countries in Europe are leading the way in terms of the decriminalization of drug use and possession. And although this attitude has captured headlines, the jury is still out as to how successful these programs are at providing for the health and well being of their citizens. It will take years of research of reliable data to determine whether or not a harsher attitude is more effective. Certainly in the United States, there is ample evidence that the European approach may indeed be more appropriate. As more states seem to drop treatment in favor of imprisoning addicts, the jail system in the U.S. has been steadily filling with drug-addicted individuals for years, and it has seemingly done little to act as a deterrent.
