NEWS IN BRIEF

DECRIMINALISATION OF DRUGS REJECTED - EXPERTS PLEAD FOR REFORM OF THE
DRUG LAWS

Hannover/Magdeburg (dpa) - Jost Leune, the executive director of the
Hannover based professional association of drug and addiction
specialists, categorically rejects decriminalsiation of soft drugs.

"That would reduce criminality but would do nothing to fight the
addiction problem," he said.

At the same time he would like to see a reform of the drug laws. "One
way would be to set up drug courts as we have young people’s courts
which could be functioning in a very short time. The members of the
association are meeting in Magdeburg on Monday for a three day
national congress.

Leune is calling for a ‘Drugs and Addiction’ commission of enquiry to
be set up. "We need an integrated concept with input from the areas of
health, prevention and law enforcement," he said. Youth leaders,
schools and parents’ circles will also be consulted.

In times of social anxiety, coupled with the absence of vision, the
feeling that life is worth while is not being communicated to young
people. According to Leune, the average age of drug addicts is between
26 and 30 years.