US DRUGS CZAR AT ODDS WITH DUTCH

Many foreigners, Americans included, enjoy Amsterdam's liberal drug culture

US drugs czar Barry McCaffrey has clashed with his Dutch hosts after
criticising Holland's liberal narcotics policy. Mr McCaffrey, in the
Netherlands on a fact-finding mission, criticised the high level of
amphetamine and ecstasy production, much of which goes to the United States
and Britain.

Holland's health minister, Els Borst, in turn said he refused to accept
facts on the results of Dutch drugs policy.

She said the US's oppressive policy on drugs did not stop young people from
experimenting.

Ms Borst, who had dinner with Mr McCaffrey on Thursday night, said: "When I
say we prefer they only experiment with cannabis, he just falls silent and
gazes ahead."

Mr McCaffrey, a former US Army General and Vietnam veteran, tried to play
down his differences with the Dutch authorities, saying he was satisfied
with his "very intensive and useful visit."

He said he had an "open and courteous exchange of views" with his hosts.

His views were made clear at a press conference when he pointed out that
the Netherlands produces half of Europe's amphetamines and much of its MDMA
(ecstasy).

Earlier he visited a methadone treatment project in Amsterdam.

Washington and The Hague do not see eye-to-eye on the latter's
controversial new heroin maintenance programme, which provides registered
addicts with good quality heroin.

The idea is to hit the pushers in the pocket and reduce the health risks
from impurities.

Mr McCaffrey said: "It is our own view that this does not constitute good
treatment, but instead ends up in essence leaving and marginalising an
element of the population."

He also criticised Holland's coffee shop culture, whereby cannabis and
marijuana are freely on sale in major cities such as Amsterdam.

Dutch law permits possession of up to five grams (0.175oz) of soft drugs
for personal consumption.

The US Government view cannabis as a "significant threat to drug dependency
particularly among young people."

Mr McCaffrey admitted: "We do not have a common agreement on drug policy."

But he added: "It is not my purpose to persuade the Dutch authorities."

On Tuesday, even before he arrived, there was a row when US officials said
Mr McCaffrey would warn Dutch authorities they were "putting American
children at risk" with their relaxed laws on marijuana.

The Dutch health ministry reacted angrily and doubted whether his visit
would "have any purpose".

A spokesman said he should "get his ideas more in tune with reality".

Mr McCaffrey's office later retracted the comments but many felt the damage
was done.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski