Presentation Project Political Communication How do the American and the Dutch government inform their people about drug policies? A comparison.

By Ziemowit Falicki and Steven Lips

Structure presentation ò Introduction ò American drug policy ò Dutch drug policy ò Conclusion ò Pop Quiz

Drug policy in the United States ò History ò Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs òLyndon Johnson ò1900: aspirin, heroin òToday - 1 gram: aspirin: $ 0,20; heroin: $50

Drug policy in the United States ò Legal Drugs: ò Prescription Drugs ò Over-the-counter Drugs ò Inhalants

Drug policy in the United States ò Illegal Drugs: ò Everything else; cocaine, heroin, crack, LSD, GHB, MDMA, XTC, Marijuana, etc.

Drug policy in the United States ò US: very wide and developed governmental activities to enforce anti-drug laws, prevent drug-use, inform public, research, and treatment. ò The biggest are the federal-, and anti-drug law enforcement authorities (40). ò DEA

Drug policy in the United States ò DEA arrests ò ,635 ò ,539 ò ,957 ò ,500

Drug policy in the United States ò DEA Drug Seizures

Drug policy in the United States  Penalties  Penalties 10 Years 5 Years Marijuana1,000 kg < kg Heroin1 kg < 100 gr Cocaine5 kg < ,999 gr

Drug policy in the Netherlands ò Narcotics Act / Opium Act ò AHOJ-G criteria ò Facts and Figures ò Trimbos Institute ò Prevention and Public Information

Drug policy in the Netherlands ò Narcotics Act / Opium Act

Drug policy in the Netherlands òno advertising (A) ò no advertising (A) ò no sales of hard drugs (H) ò no nuisance (O) ò no admission to coffee shops for minors ò(under 18) (J) ò and no sales of large quantities (more than 5 grams) per transaction (G) òAHOJ-G Criteria

Drug policy in the Netherlands ò Number of Dutch recent cannabis users rose from 326,000 to 408,000 between ò The popularity of cocaine has grown ò The number of ecstasy users in the general population increased between 1997 and 2001, in particular among women ò Of all members of the European Union, the Netherlands have the lowest number of problem users of hard drugs per thousand inhabitants. ò There are indications that the popularity of GHB has risen ò The drug problem indisputably places a heavy burden on the resources of the police and the criminal justice system. òFacts and Figures

Drug policy in the Netherlands òFacts and Figures Recent use of cannabis among secondary school students aged 12 and above (%)

Drug policy in the Netherlands ò the management, clients and staff of service providers both in the field of mental health care and in the care of addicts; ò other organisations involved in prevention and health education; ò welfare organisations; ò institutions engaged in education and training; ò the general public, and ò the media òThe Trimbos Institute Government’s main communication resource and for:

Drug policy in the Netherlands ò ‘The Healthy School and Stimulants’ project ò the ‘Drugs and Leisure Time’ project ò XTC testing òPrevention and Public Information

ò Conclusions ò US: drug-laws are harsh ò US: focus on drug-laws enforcement ò US: anti-drug campaign is more emotional, direct, and intensive. ò US: high costs (2001: $18 bilion)

ò Conclusions (2) ò Holland: drug-laws are softer ò Holland: focus on information about drug-use ò Drugs illegal, but tolerated ò Less taxpayer’s money

ò Conclusions (3) ò overall, drug-use is raising in both countries ò different theories; lack of moral and ethical values?

n Is smoking pot legal in the Netherlands? n No, according to the opium law it is illegal, but there is no penalty for smoking it.

n What institute is very important for the communication between the Dutch government and its people about drugs? A) The Roodbos Institute B) The Trimbos Institute C) The Wilbos Institute

n Which of the following projects are developed by the government to prevent drug abuse? A) XTC Testing points B) ‘The Healthy School and Stimulants’ project C) “The Drugs and Leisure Time” project

n Which US president started The War on Drugs? A) Ronald Reagan B) Richard Nixon C) Lyndon Johnson D) Woodrow Wilson

n Which of these drugs are illegal in the US? A) Amphetamine B) Inhalants C) Overdose aspirin D) Sniffing ibuprofen

n How come illegal drugs are so expensive? A) Because of the Iraq-situation: Texaco didn’t produce enough oil for drug production. B) There hardly grows any cocain in Colombia. C) Prohibition makes the risk-factor high for dealers. D) Because of the California budget crisis.

Drug policy in the Netherlands

Drug policy in the United States

Drug policy in the Netherlands