The government spends 62 percent of its drugs budget on arresting and enforcing the law, mainly against cannabis users. It spends just 13 percent on treatment for those addicted to hard drugs. Under this government 80,000 people were convicted in 1999 for possession of cannabis. That is about three quarters of all drug convictions. The respected Police Foundation last year criticised this approach.
Cannabis is legal in Holland.
In 1995 the figure was 2.4 as against 31.1 for the United Kingdom. The average age of heroin users in Holland is rising. In Scotland the average age is falling. The blanket prohibition of drugs simply creates a black market. There is an alternative.