Coffee Shops

Over the years the above mentioned legislation has lead to the
establishment of the so-called coffee shops where trading in soft drugs on
certain conditions is not prosecuted. Trade in hard drugs, however, is
strictly prohibited. Thus the cannabis consumer is not dependent on multi-
drug markets which reduces the risk of switching to harder substances
('Stepping-Stone Hypothesis').

According to police estimates the number of coffee shops in the
Netherlands was 1200 - 1500 in 1991. Other points of sale of cannabis are
so-called home dealers (estimated number between 700 and 2200),
community centers (between 500 - 1000) and further outlets
(approximately 60). In the bigger cities, however, most of the cannabis products are obtained in coffee shops. These are mainly small, caf-like
enterprises catering for a diverse public from various social backgrounds.
Just like regular local cafs and restaurants, coffee shops often have a socio-
cultural function in their neighbourhood. Most coffee shops offer a wide
range of hashish and marijuana products from various countries and of
varying quality. Prices are anywhere from 10 to 15 Dutch guilders per
gram. According to recent estimates the turnover of cannabis products in
coffee shops amounts to approximately 2 billion Dutch guilders per year.

The majority of the coffee shops adheres to nation-wide criteria
('Regulations'). The closing down of a number of coffee shops and a more
rigid police control in recent years have shown that these criteria are strictly
maintained. Immediate causes for police activity are usually related to
trouble in the neighbourhoods, suspected hard drug traffic or possible
criminality. Other specific problems are an increase in the number of coffee
shops, particularly near undesirable locations (such as schools), and the
attraction of drug tourism, especially in the border towns.

In order to deal with these specific problems police control and public
prosecution with regard to adherence to the regulations have been more
rigidly enforced. Furthermore, more and more often administrative
measures are being taken on a local level for the prevention and combat of
nuisance around the coffee shops. General bye-laws, nuisance regulations,
environmental regulations, zoning-plans and building regulations offer
possibilities in this respect.

Data on cannabis use

In the Netherlands an estimated 600.000 people regularly use cannabis.
("Risks of canabis use') This is about 4.6% of the population of 12 years
and older. There are no reliable data, however, on the use of cannabis with
regard to the total population in general.

According to a 1990 Drug Use Survey in Amsterdam 24.1% of the
population of 12 and older had ever used cannabis; 6% had done so
recently (during the month preceding the survey). 1.3% scored frequent
use, i.e. more than 20 days in the previous month. As compared to 1987,
cannabis use among the population of Amsterdam had remained stable
(reference: "Licit and illicit drug use in Amsterdam", Sandwijk et al.,
1991).

Large-scale nationwide surveys among Secondary School students (age 12
- 18 years) have shown that in this group the use of cannabis has increased
recently. In 1984 4.8% had ever used cannabis and 2.3% had used
cannabis recently (during the previous month). In 1988 these percentages
were 8.0% and 3.1% and in 1992 13.6% and 6.5% respectively. From the
difference between ever and recent use it appears that in more than half of
the cases experimental behaviour is indicated. Boys score a significantly
higher percentage than girls with regard to cannabis use and the group of
16 - 17 years scores highest in recent use.

The use of hard drugs among schoolgoing young people has remained
limited. In 1988 only 0.4% had used cocaine recently and 0.3% had
recently used heroin; in 1992 these percentages were 0.4% and 0.2%
respectively. As compared to cannabis use the consumption of alcohol
appears to be considerably higher. In 1992 66% of the students between 12
- 18 years had ever used alcohol; 42% had done so recently.

International drug survey data, if available at all, are often difficult to
compare because of methodological differences. However, it has been
established that cannabis use, especially among young people, has also
shown a slight increase in a number of other European countries such as
Norway, the UK and Denmark. In the U.S.A. cannabis use has been on
the increase as well in the past few years.

The number of problematic cannabis users which came into contact with
addiction assistance agencies in 1993 is small as compared to the total
number registered. Only 3% of all clients of the Consultation Bureaus for
Alcohol and Drugs (outpatient services) were registered with use cannabis
use as primary problem.

Furthermore, the number of hospital admissions in relation to cannabis
misuse and addiction in psychiatric hospitals and addiction clinics is
relatively low (less than 1.5% of the total number). However, over the
years the number of applications for professional help has been steadily
increasing. Up to now there has been no clear indication as to what specific
factors account for the increase. The fact that cannabis is more easily
obtainable as well as an increase in de production of Nederweed may play
a role. Little is known about the group of problem users and the much
larger group of integrated cannabis users.

Prevention and education

Prevention, information and education are a primary concern of the Dutch
drug policy. In 1991 the project " Healthy schools and stimulants" was
launched, specifically aiming at the Secundary School students. The project
is carried out in coperation with the Netherlands Institute for Alcohol and
Drugs, the local and provincial Public Health Services and the
municipalities. The project provides information on subsequently tobacco,
alcohol, cannabis and gambling for Secondary School students of an age
when they generally have their first contacts with these items. For cannabis
this is usually around 15 years. The project also provides standards for use
(no substance use in schools), observation and guidance in accordance with
the objectives of the project. By the middle of 1994 the project had already
reached 30% of the Secondary School students. A specific consumer
public is being advised about "sensible use" by means of leaflets distributed
in the various coffee shops. The leaflet "Tips on Hash and Weed" warn
against the harmful effects on concentration and reaction ability, the use of
cannabis as a means to overcome problems, the consumption of space-
cake, simultaneous use of alcohol or medication and taking hashish and
weed out of the country.

Critism and Praise

Dutch cannabis policy has met with national and international praise as well
as criticism. As for the social acceptability, the current policy is regularly
under discussion, especially with regard to drug related nuisance. There is
also criticism from the ";Schengen" countries (mainly Belgium and France)
which regard the Netherlands as being out of tune, particularly regarding
the harmonisation of legislation on substance use. In this context, The
Netherlands have tightened up the control of existing regulations. On the
other hand the Dutch cannabis policy has managed to create a (relative)
separation of the soft and hard drugs markets. The fact that cannabis is
relatively easy to obtain in the coffee shops has not resulted in a larger
consumption increase than in other countries. Furthermore, the number of
addicts has stabilised and drug deaths are few in comparison to other
countries. In recent years other countries have come to realize that a certain
decriminalisation of soft drug consumption should be considered with
regard to public health, the prevention of social damage to users and the
control of small but aggressive retail-trade in the streets. Next to
Switzerland and Denmark, a trend towards decriminalisation of the soft
drug consumption can be observed in Germany, the United Kingdom and
Spain. Daily news in the newspapers indicates that such developments are
in full swing on a national as well as an international level.

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Taken from the UK Cannabis Internet Activists Website
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Hope this helps a little more.