In the frame of counseling we inform the patients about the criminal consequences and the possible outcome of the concrete case. Our services are free of charge. By the end of 1996 we have 39 penal cases in progress. We undertake the legal defense mostly for drug abuse but, exceptionally, we proceed in other criminal cases related to drug consumption, e.g. theft in two cases, hit and run in one case, and violence against officials in one case. Counseling was provided in about 100 cases.
Clients ask first of all for information about the legal consequences of drug use.
Only a very few of them know that growing for own use and handing over free of charge to a third party are also subject to penalty. Hardly anybody of our clients knows that consumption of the illegal drugs itself is a criminal offense. The clients of the LAC may retain their anonymity. The documents in our possession are kept in accordance with the data protection requirements. Clients who commission our organization to act as their legal representative, sign an agreement on commissioning us.