We need to talk about regulation

Spoken word applies

Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed colleagues and distinguished guests,

It is a privilege to be among so many health experts, because drug use is first and foremost a health issue. I was wondering if there are also mental health experts in the room. Because I have a question:

Isn’t the definition of insanity to do the same thing over and over again, expecting different results? Isn’t this what we are doing in the ‘war on drugs’?

In recent years, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the ongoing battle against drug trafficking. Youngsters are being lured into criminality, and we have seen daylight killings of a crown witness, his lawyer, and journalist Peter R. de Vries. Despite significant efforts and resources, our current strategies have not succeeded in reducing the availability of drugs or the power of criminal networks.

The Netherlands, for instance, remains a major hub for cocaine trafficking, with record seizures that do not seem to impact the street availability or the associated violence. Every week, in Amsterdam, the police find several apartments being used for drug trafficking. In addition to cocaine and other drugs, they find big stashes of cash, guns, and ammunition. More often than not, these apartments are right next to children’s playgrounds and schools.

The police are doing wonderful work. They work hard. They have excellent intelligence. But our government is letting them fight a battle they can’t win. Our strategies have remained largely unchanged for decades, while the dynamics of drug use and trafficking have evolved. It’s clear that a new approach is needed; one that is grounded in evidence and public health rather than repressive tactics.

In Amsterdam, we have adopted progressive policies in the past. Our approach to heroin addiction in the 1980s, which included methadone programs and harm reduction strategies, significantly reduced drug-related crime and health issues. The combination of health and social responses with targeted approaches to nuisance and criminality proved successful. Teams composed of police officers and social workers closely examined habitual offenders, asking: “What do you need? We are really going to try to help you, but if you don’t cooperate, you will end up in jail.” These measures demonstrate that a pragmatic approach focusing on public health rather than criminalization can yield positive results.

However, we cannot rest on our laurels. The challenges we face today are more complex than ever. Synthetic drugs like MDMA have become increasingly popular, and the illicit market continues to thrive.

The 2023 EUDA report provides important insights into the drug situation in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam, and emphasizes the urgent need to shift the discourse.

Firstly, the Netherlands remains a significant hub for cocaine trafficking in Europe, especially in Amsterdam. In 2021, the country intercepted 72 tons of cocaine, reinforcing its central role in the European cocaine market. Despite these efforts, as I’ve mentioned, cocaine availability on the streets remains high.

Secondly, the Netherlands is a major producer of synthetic drugs, including MDMA and methamphetamines. In 2021, the country dismantled numerous large-scale production facilities, underscoring its pivotal role in the synthetic drug market.

Thirdly, the Netherlands serves as a model for sustainable cannabis supply to coffee shops. This initiative aims to reduce illegal trade and improve product safety by regulating the entire supply chain, from production to sale. Although I’m concerned that political factors may hinder its success in the long term, unfortunately.

These three points illustrate the complexities and challenges of drug policy in the Netherlands and underscore the need for new approaches. Because one thing is clear after more than fifty years of a ‘war on drugs’: no measure so far has provided a sustainable solution. And secondly, it fails to propose compassionate and targeted support for those struggling with homelessness or mental health issues. They fall through the cracks and become further marginalized.

We need all available expertise to work with accurate data on drug users. This will help us understand the full scope of drug use and its impact, enabling us to adapt our policies more effectively. It’s also worth noting how the EUDA has evolved to support more progressive policies. In the past five to ten years, we’ve witnessed a significant shift in our direction. The EUDA has begun endorsing supportive measures, such as supervised drug consumption rooms and drug checking, and now views these initiatives as central solutions. This demonstrates EUDA’s commitment to evidence-based practices.

It is especially encouraging to see the EUDA’s expanded role—from mere data collection and health advisories to providing political, health, and safety advice. It also acknowledges the importance of local-level engagement and collaboration with cities, which is promising. In recent years, we’ve seen a cross-border coalition of health professionals, scientists, NGOs, officials, and politicians advocating sensible, evidence-based drug policies.

At the same time, we must also acknowledge ultra-conservative forces in our societies worldwide, in Europe, and in the Netherlands, and politics have also gained support. And they support the war on drugs. They talk about being tough on crime, longer and harsher sentencing, and cutting the budget of crime prevention and public health programs. Just last week we saw cuts to health prevention programs in the Netherlands introduced by the new right-wing government.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is why we must strengthen the coalition for sustainable drug policies. We need to work harder to inform our cities and governments, and we must speak out. We must speak up for our politicians, our policymakers, and our judges. Otherwise, we allow them to fight a war they cannot win. And we must speak up for the health and safety of our cities, because organized drug crime is destroying our neighborhoods—not only with drugs but even more so with violence and dirty money.

We must also speak up for a new generation of youngsters. They are the future of our cities, but only if they don’t end up caught as foot soldiers in a senseless, international war on drugs. We need to move beyond outdated, ineffective approaches and embrace a more humane and rational approach.

This brings me to one of the core messages of the Dealing With Drugs Conference, which the city of Amsterdam organized in January of this year. What we advocated was the need for controlled regulation of the international drug market.

It isn’t about promoting drug use or being naive about the dangers of drug use and drug abuse. It is not to be naive about the criminals that create conditions and dependence. But it is necessary to dismantle and eradicate the criminal networks because they thrive under prohibition. Regulating drugs will take many years. It is not something that you will introduce in the coming years and see how it works. It will likely take decades before we have a worldwide discussion and the first experiments. But there is no reason to wait. By regulating drugs, we might ensure a safer and more controlled environment for users, reduce health risks, and redirect law enforcement resources to more severe crimes. For instance, in Amsterdam at this moment, nearly 80% of law enforcement resources are currently directed at drug crimes rather than other issues such as sexual assault or home burglaries. This is all directed to drug war crimes.

As part of our efforts, we are building a coalition of cities in Amsterdam that want to experiment with controlled regulation. This coalition, we hope, will share knowledge, experiences, and best practices to create a united front for more effectively managing drug-related crimes. I am keen on experimenting with the controlled regulation of cannabis, of course, but also of MDMA, because of its relatively low toxicity and manageable nature when it comes to problematic use. Studies have shown that MDMA, when used in a regulated environment, poses fewer health risks than alcohol, smoking, and gambling.

Cities are the first to experience the negative effects when drug policy fails. Therefore, they have been—and will continue to be—the breeding grounds for new drug policy practices and catalysts for change. But we also need your scientific brainpower and your strength to help us modernize drug policies. The work you do matters immensely. Your research, your commitment to understanding and solving complex issues related to drug use, and your dedication to public health are the cornerstones of a safer, healthier future. Let’s continue to support each other, to share knowledge, and to strive for policies that truly make a difference.

Instead of relying on tough slogans, let’s focus on evidence-based solutions. Instead of fruitless repression that only makes criminals richer, let’s pursue sensible harm reduction. Instead of fear, let us lead with compassion.

Thank you.

Our 'Dealing with drugs- manifesto' can be found and endorsed at www.dealingwithdrugs.com.

Join us for the second Dealing with Drugs on December 4th, 2024, in Warsaw. For more information, please visit: www.amsterdam.nl/dealingwithdrugs/two.