DUTCH STRATEGY LEADS TO INCREASED CANNABIS USE

Sir-McCouns 15 study comparison of Dutch cannabis use with its prohibiting
neighbours showed depenalisation led to increased cannabis use compared
with those countries.

The US Monitoring the Future survey reported regular cannabis use by high
school seniors dropped from 37 per cent in 1979 to 12 per cent in 1992.
This was achieved by an inter-agency effort involving schools, communities,
social workers, police, courts, excellent treatment options, and prohibition.

Prohibition by itself does not work. Just because our current approach
fails, why move to a model that will increase use and the obvious harm that
is particularly noticeable with adolescent use?

Decriminalisation will reduce prices but that does not mean gangs will
disappear. They will switch their efforts to more profitable, harder drugs
and New Zealand will be flooded with heroin, like Australia. Soon we will
be arguing, like the Australians are, about legalising heroin.