The governments in neighboring Belgium and Switzerland have tentatively approved measures to decriminalize marijuana this year. Portugal and Luxembourg are considering similar action. At Amsterdam's clubs, patrons say the Dutch policy works and the impact of the crackdowns is not entirely positive. Ecstasy pills are more frequently spiked with unwanted amphetamines and other substitutes, they say. Police began to interfere a lot more with it, so the quality went down.
Officials say a wide variety of substances have been mixed into the pills.
Sometimes other stimulants are included, which can be dangerous especially if the use of the pills is combined with alcohol or other drugs. Bertems says her friends are careful about their drug use. And because drugs are legally tolerated, she says they don't take drugs to rebel or show off, only to feel good. Nearby, at the club Paradiso, in an old church, powerful bass speakers rumble and dancers shake where pews once stood. Marijuana smoke scents the air.