Drugs Policy Contrary to what most people think, drugs use in The Netherlands is illegal. Yet drug users, differentiated into hard and soft drug users, are considered to be victims or patients rather than criminals. For this reason, the coffee shops where soft drugs can be bought, are still illegal. In Rotterdam, the social services, health services and police cooperate closely. Relief programmes are easily accessible and are aimed at regulating the lives of addicts.
People can freely go in for coffee, meals and medical care.
The result of this infrastructure is that only a small number of drug addicts are infected with the HIV-virus. Social Innovation Social innovation in Rotterdam means that the inhabitants participate in what happens in their neighbourhood. Cooperation between the city council, social agencies and education is aimed at offering people, both young and old, some perspective. Thus creativity may receive an extra impulse. Opzoomeren' Active local residents cooperate in order to improve 'their neighbourhood'.