Regulation of cocaine and ecstasy: Amsterdam Mayor pleads for legal market

Regulation of cocaine and ecstasy: Amsterdam Mayor pleads for legal market

The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, is convinced that a regulated market for drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy is the only way to effectively combat the drug smuggling in the Dutch capital. It emphasizes the disastrous effects that drug trafficking has on Amsterdam. Halsema finds that previous measures, such as the "war against drugs", are not sufficient to stop the violent and billion -dollar drug crime.

In Amsterdam, according to Halsema, about 80 percent of police activities are devoted to combating drug crime. It advocates finding alternative ways to reduce the consumption of dangerous drugs. For Halsema, the solution is in the regulation of the drug market. It suggests that cocaine and possibly also ecstasy via pharmacies or a medical model could be sold.

The attitude of Femke Halsema comes across criticism, especially from mayors of other cities such as Bart de Wever from Antwerp. De Wever is one of Halsema's proposal critics to introduce a regulated drug for drugs. Despite the controversy, Halsema invited representatives from other cities and experts to a conference in Amsterdam in January to discuss the regulation of drugs. In their opinion, there is no alternative to reduce the influence of drug dealers.