Regarding "Sweden Reeps Its License, EU Upholds State Monopoly on
Alcohol Sales" (Oct. 24):

A Scandinavian of ficial responsible for health and social
affairs said that the EU decision to uphold Sweden's state
monopoly was "proof that the European Union understands that
alcohol policy is part of our Nordic welfare state ideology."
"The decision enables us to conduct a national alcohol policy
based on our own national needs," he said.

Yet a national drug policy that enables the Dutch to make a
distinction between soft drugs (cannabis) and hard drugs meets
with strong opposition in Nordic countries. The splitting of the
drug markets in the Netherlands has proven a successful means of
keeping young people away from drugs like heroin.

In Amsterdam, only 1.2 percent of heroin addicts are under 22
years of age, and the percentage has been diminishing for some
years. The average age of heroin addicts in Amsterdam is 36.4
years and is rising every year. Clearly, almost no young people
are entering that group.
Leave us in the Netherlands our own policy based on our own needs.

Janhuib Blans
Amsterdam