Fines increased one and one-half to three times for cannabis and stimulants. Japan believes that drug abuse is actually a health issue rather than a criminal issue. Users are encouraged to seek treatment and rehabilitation. It is somewhat paradoxical that Japan has extreme penalties, mostly fines, and believes that drug abuse is a health issue, which must be solved through treatment. The harsh penalties are due to the perceptions of drug abuse in Japan by society.
Drug abuse is a form of hedonism, so the hedonism is what is punished.
The social view against drug use is what the cause, which reduces the drug use. The Swiss Confederation has no set drug policy because the specific cantons in Switzerland have more control than the federal government in policy making. The canton of Zurich implemented an experiment of an open drug scene in which users go freely buy, sell, and use narcotics such as heroin. Zurich hoped to centralize the use of drugs in a controlled environment to reduce crime and the spreading of disease. Users could also exchange for sterile needles.