SUNDAY PRESS

Debate on Drugs
By Vasiliki Nikoloulia	26. 01. 2003

Opposing views on the controversial issue of drug decriminalization are expressed by Ms. Marietta Giannakou, MP for Athens A from New Democracy, and Ms. Anna Karamanou, MEP from PASOK. In any case, however, both characterize drug users as “patients” and emphasize the importance of informing citizens, both on a consistent basis rather than just occasionally, and the need to educate adolescents through specific school programs.

In addition, they call on the state, and particularly the judiciary, to be relentless against drug traffickers, while Ms. Giannakou points out not only the inherent contradiction but also the confusion caused in public opinion when the responsible state presents two different, “credible” views on the issue of decriminalization or the arbitrarily referred to division of drugs into “heavy” and “light.”

On the other hand, Ms. Karamanou does not fail to highlight the example of the Netherlands, where, through specialized drug shops, it has become possible to control the quantity and quality of drugs being circulated, while at the same time, deaths among users have almost been eliminated.

In any case, the current situation in our country can hardly be described as satisfactory if one takes into account the number of deaths from drug use, as well as the additional prevention and suppression measures that need to be implemented by the state at all levels. These measures, according to Ms. Karamanou, must include, among other things, care for the social reintegration and demonization of drug addicts after their rehabilitation.

Finally, at the European level, it is worth noting that today there are greater grounds for hope, thanks to the binding “cooperation clause” for the fight against drugs included in the European Union’s international agreements with third countries, following a proposal by Ms. Giannakou as the responsible rapporteur during her tenure in the European Parliament. Nevertheless, as has been observed, the existing prevention and suppression measures still have significant room for improvement at the European level.

By Mrs. Marietta Giannakou*

1. Inyour opinion, should the drug use by addicted individuals be decriminalized?
   

The issue is quite complex. First of all, addicted individuals are considered patients and, as such, they should be treated by all the relevant bodies, including health, police, and judicial authorities. However, this raises a question that mainly concerns whether the patient, as an addict, is also involved in the process of trafficking or whether, in order to obtain narcotic substances for personal use, they engage in secondary criminal activities, such as thefts, for example. In such cases, it is clear that the organized state cannot ignore any illegal activity, particularly if it causes harm or damage to the social environment, or the fact that, although the individual is a patient, their personal actions expand the circle of illegal drug trafficking. This leads us to the conclusion that, practically, the general decriminalization of drug use by addicted individuals simply provides the patient-user with an excuse not to attempt rehabilitation, while also creating spaces and conditions of “tolerance” for the actions of drug trafficking networks.

2. Do you believe that the prevention and suppression measures that

Do you think that the prevention and repression measures applied in our country are sufficient? What kind of additional

measures should possibly be taken?

Unfortunately, given the size of the problem in the international context, I would tell you that no matter what measures are taken, at least in the short term, it is difficult to consider them sufficient for its complete resolution. Regarding repressive measures, I believe the important thing is the zero tolerance toward human trafficking. There can be no compromise on this issue, and it primarily concerns the functioning of the judiciary. As for prevention, there is significant room for strengthening the infrastructure and measures currently in place. The relevant actions must cover all dimensions of the problem. For example, it is important to strengthen public awareness on an ongoing basis, not just occasionally, every time a report is made public. On the other hand, citizen sensitization requires consistent and stable policy from the state. Otherwise, confusion and doubt arise about the intended goal. If, for instance, the responsible state presents two different “reliable” opinions on the issue of decriminalization or the arbitrarily labeled distinction between “hard” and “soft” drugs, what can we expect from society? In any case, especially on the issue of information and social welfare, with emphasis on the psychological support of patients-addicts, I would like to see greater involvement of local government. The institution of “street workers,” i.e., the on-site provision of preventive services by social workers and other specialized staff, can yield many benefits. Finally, regarding the institutional framework, it is certainly desirable to expand the infrastructure of alternative programs such as the methadone program, to meet the needs as fully as possible across the entire country, not just in large urban centers.

3. At the European level, what measures have been taken to combat international drug trafficking networks?

There is a coordination and cooperation system at the European level that operates to a satisfactory degree. The flow of information and updates regarding the activity of organized trafficking and drug trading networks is generally sufficient for action to be taken at the national level by the competent authorities. However, I would remind you that as the rapporteur in the European Parliament for the 2000-2004 Action Plan to combat drugs in the European Union, I had proposed including a binding “cooperation clause” in the Union’s agreements with third countries. In any case, there is an objective difficulty in effectively addressing this scourge, primarily because drug trafficking is now intertwined with international terrorism and, more broadly, organized crime.

Mrs. Marietta Giannakou is a Member of Parliament for Athens A, former Minister of Health, Welfare, and Social Insurance, and former head of the New Democracy delegation to the European Parliament. www.marietta.gr

By ms Anna Karamanou

1. Inyour opinion, should the drug use by addicted individuals be decriminalized?
   

Experience has shown that the penalties provided by criminal legislation for drug users have no effect. This is because drug addiction is a disease, not a criminal offense. Those addicted to drug use are patients who need treatment, not punishment. Their self-destructive behavior, expressed through drug use, cannot be considered a criminal offense. Therefore, I believe that drug use should be decriminalized. We cannot afford to ignore the international experience from countries where the decriminalization of drug use has led to very positive results. Finally, we should not forget that the protection of human dignity, both in relation to life and death, should be carried out with equality and fairness.

2. Do you believe thatthe prevention and repression measures that

Do you think that the prevention and repression measures applied in our country are sufficient? What kind of additional

measures should possibly be taken?

The recent report by the “Eurobarometer” regarding drug use in the EU member countries is rather disappointing for Greece. It reveals that our country pays a heavy toll of 300 drug-related deaths annually. These results remind us, once again, of our responsibility and the need for taking initiatives aimed at effectively addressing the scourge of drugs. The prevention and repression measures applied in our country have not yielded results. Therefore, we need new approaches, new ideas, such as:

1. Emphasis should be placed on prevention, not repression. Awareness campaigns should be promoted regarding the consequences of drugs, particularly to inform teenagers through school programs, in order to reduce demand.

2. A broad public dialogue should be promoted to address the problem, bringing together all the relevant bodies as well as the political world of the country. Only through dialogue, along with coordinated actions, can we find solutions that will comprehensively address the complex issue of drugs. In any case, we must take international experience into account.

3. More rehabilitation and treatment centers should be created.

4. Greater care should be provided, and measures should be taken for the social reintegration and the de-stigmatization of drug addicts after rehabilitation.

5. The focus of criminal justice should primarily target drug producers and traffickers, in order to reduce supply.

In any case, we must take international experience into account. The example of the Netherlands is important, as it has achieved control over the quantity and quality of drugs in circulation through special drug distribution outlets, while it has almost eliminated drug-related deaths.

3. At the European level, what measures have been taken to combat international drug trafficking networks?

I consider it a very important step that, within the framework of the Tampere European Council, the European Union’s drug strategy was fully approved. This strategy provides a very good framework for addressing the problem, as it lays the foundation for judicial and police cooperation between member states. Additionally, and this is very important, it establishes a mandatory clause in the EU’s international agreements with third countries, requiring actions against drugs. However, Afghanistan, despite being generously funded by the European Union, produced 70% of the world’s opium production in 2002. Moreover, each member state has its own approach to the issue of drugs, which is reflected in its relevant legislation. As a result, serious obstacles arise in harmonizing national legislations, which hinder the formation of a unified European drug policy.

Ms. Anna Karamanu is a Member of the European Parliament for PASOK and the Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the European Parliament. www.karamanou.gr