HASH HIGHS OKAY BUT BOOZE BANNED FOR EURO FINAL

THE city hosting the Euro 2000 final said yesterday it would crack down on
alcohol abuse during the Championship but will allow the regulated sale of
cannabis drugs.

More than a million tickets have been sold for the June 10-July 2
tournament, being held at eight cities in the Netherlands and Belgium and
culminating at the 50,000-seat Feyenoord Stadium in the port city.

Rotterdam Mayor Ivo Opstelten has prohibited the consumption of alcohol and
other intoxicants in public places other than licensed cafes. Alcoholic
drinks will also be banned from the stadium and its vicinity, said the
mayor's spokesman, Ivar Nijhuis.

However, hashish and marijuana will still be available at designated "coffee
shops," as long as proprietors abide by national regulations banning the
sale of more than 5 grams to any individual and purchases by minors.

"The Dutch general policy on the use of drugs will be as normal," said
Nijhuis, "but all the owners of coffee shops . . . have been instructed to
stick to the rules of the game."

Nijhuis said owners have been advised "to be more alert because tourists are
not used to the effects of Dutch cannabis," which tends to have high degrees
of purity.

To prevent rioting, law enforcement authorities may detain "potential
hooligans" for up to 12 hours in preventive custody, and 100 extra cells are
being built at the local prison for those who are held longer to face
charges, authorities said.

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