News In Brief

BERLIN MAGAZINE SPECIAL: MARIHUANA

The Berlin paper, 'Die Tageszeitung' (http://www.taz.de), devotes its
Sunday Magazine to a 'Maihuana Special'. A total of more than 8700
lines of text are devoted to a constructive discussion of the topic on
pp. 2-15. Section headings include:

No legalisation before 2,000 Save taxes with hemp Other countries vote
for medical marihuana 9 years for 7 kilos of marihuana Marihuana
offences treated like parking offences Principle of equality before
the law must be protected Drugs are dangerous, but they're still fun
Cottage builders insulate with hemp Hemp cookies instead of
Space-cakes Europe's farmers hold key to hemp cultivation

Ole Schulz, reports an interview with Christa Nickels, federal
minister of health, responsible for drugs and drug addiction. As the
fololowing sample indicates, she answers his questions in simple,
forthright fashion.

Qn: Do you believe in the myth of marihuana as a 'Gateway' drug?

CN: The figures in the 1998 Drug Report speak in unambiguous terms:
most addicts started with smoking and drinking - tobacco and alcohol
are the Number One Gateway drugs. All experts today say that we must
forsake the idea that the primary prevention tool is to distinguish
between legal and illegal drugs.

Is it not time to acknowledge that drugs are simply a part of the
modern youth culture? It is simply a fact of life that young people
will try everything possible. Another fact which is a part of everyday
reality is that there is no such thing as a drug-free society.

However, if one wants to take measures to prevent increases in the
number of youthful dependents, one must give young people the facts in
ways that do not turn them off. Crusading and demonising are a waste
of time.

(The complete interview with Ole Schulz is given in 138 lines on p. 4,
taz Nr. 5791 20.3.1999)