Dutch 'among lowest cannabis users'

[phr]

Dutch 'among lowest cannabis users'
Reuters
11.5.09


THE Dutch are among the lowest users of marijuana or cannabis in Europe despite the Netherlands' well-known tolerance of the drug, according to a regional study.

Among adults in the Netherlands, 5.4 per cent used cannabis, compared with the European average of 6.8 per cent, according to an annual report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, using latest available figures.

A higher percentage of adults in Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and France took cannabis last year, the EU agency said, with the highest being Italy at 14.6 per cent. Usage in Italy used to be among the lowest at below 10 per cent a decade ago.

Countries with the lowest usage rates, according to the Lisbon-based agency, were Romania, Malta, Greece and Bulgaria.

Cannabis use in Europe rose steadily during the 90s and earlier this decade, but has recently stabilised and is beginning to show signs of decline, the agency said, owing to several national campaigns to curb and treat use of the drug.

"Data from general population and school surveys point to a stabilising or even decreasing situation," the report said.

The policy on soft drugs in the Netherlands, one of the most liberal in Europe, allows for the sale of marijuana at "coffee shops", which the Dutch have allowed to operate for decades, and possession of less than 5 grams (0.18 oz).

Nearly a fifth of the 228 coffee shops in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, a popular draw for tourists, are scheduled to be shut down because they are too close to schools.

Link!

 

[drug_mentor]

This is pretty amazing, it really does go further to show that going easy on drugs doesn't mean increased use infact it can be the opposite.

 

[slimvictor]

I think that this helps our case.
I am happy to see this news.

(However, I wonder why people choose alcohol over cannabis when they have the choice? There is lots and lots of drinking in Holland. Just my personal question, since I find one (alcohol) stupifying and the other enlightening.)

 

[Vader]

^Lots of people prefer alcohol evidently, weed just isn't everyone's cup of tea. I've met plenty of people who couldn't understand why anyone would do drugs when you could go out drinking. Also, even if it's legal it doesn't mean it's socially acceptable; I can't imagine that most people head down to the coffeeshop with the guys from the office after work. Plus, they have delicious lager.

 

[slimvictor]

No question that the beer is generally amazing.
And you are right about the social stigmatism.
But for me, in my personal experience, I just can't even compare the drunk feeling and the high feeling.
One is mindless and fun if I'm lucky, and nauseating when I am not, and the other is uplifting and opening nearly every time.
Again, this is just me, but if I lived where weed is legal, I would drink only occasionally, but smoke regularly.

 

[jam uh weezy]

There are a certain percentage of marijuana users/first timers who are initially drawn towards marijuana because it is illegal in the states, imo.

I've met plenty of people who couldn't understand why anyone would do drugs when you could go out drinking.

Haha, I get into so many debates with people about this when they talk down on my 'drug use' as they're sippin on a glass bourbon. Booze is not a drug though, i know.

 

[Vader]

^I think that making it legal removes some of the mystique and makes it seem less rebellious, which probably does lead to lower rates of use. Also, IME it is much easier for underage kids to get drugs than alcohol as there's no regulation-you need ID to get dope in the Netherlands. There's not really any pushing either, the coffeeshops aren't allowed to advertise.