FIRST QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH?

The `Red-Green' Way To A More Liberal Drug Policy

What all the experts have been demanding for a long time is now a step
closer. The `Red-Green' federal government will hold to a more liberal path
in its drug policy than its predecessor. Proceeding on the principle that
addiction is a sickness, the newly appointed federal `drug czar', Christa
Nickels, will emphasize education and "Assistance not Punishment".

Christa Nickels is satisfied. Her office has been transferred from the Home
Office to the Department of Health. That sends the signal that drug policy
will henceforth be based on a humanitarian, health model, and not a law
enforcement model.

Eduard Lintner, her predecessor, saw things quite differently. The Swiss
model he regarded as a "Horror," as he announced after a visit. The number
of drug related mortalities rose steadily during his term in office.

A Swiss model will be followed also in the proposed clinics where addicts
can inject in a safe, supportive environment. Heroin will also be provided
as soon as the law has been revised. Frankfurt's experience with its trial
since 1994 has been very encouraging.

It is expected that Hamburg and many other large cities will be adopting
similar models.

Checked-by: Richard Lake