not as harsh as I had feared, but this is clearly a rolling-back of a more tolerant stance of the early 1990s. incidentally it was introduced following a coalition between a centre-right and an extreme-right political party, a phenomenon could arise in many countries in Europe as the global security situation deteriorates and people become increasingly paranoid about economies, borders and immigration.
Distinction between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ drugs ends (ANSA) – Rome, February 8 – Italy has approved a drug crackdown that puts marijuana on a par with heroin or cocaine .
The government hailed as ending tolerance towards marijuana users and affirming the principle that all drugs are bad .
The opposition slammed the law, claiming it put marijuana consumers at risk of incarceration at a time when the nation’s jails are packed beyond capacity and about a quarter of inmates are addicts .
They claimed the law’s distinctions between users and pushers were fuzzy .
The opposition also claimed the law penalised hospital-based rehabilitation centres in favour of privately run communities which allegedly do not apply the same scientific standards .
Several members of the opposition also pointed out that the 2006 budget cuts funding for rehab centres .
The opposition further accused the government of wanting to score electoral points with a measure that would appeal to voters in the run-up to April 9 elections. The government – which rammed the legislation through parliament with a confidence vote – angrily rejected opposition claims that marijuana users would face prison terms .
“It’s a colossal lie,” said Carlo Giovanardi of the centrist UDC party .
“Youngsters caught smoking pot will only have to fear the authorities telling their parents” .
Ignazio La Russa of the rightwing National Alliance (AN) party, which sponsored the law, said: “We have asserted three great civic principles: first, that drugs are bad for you and the State isn’t indifferent; second, that only pushers are punished while young people and communities get more help; and third, that penalties for pushers are harsher” .
Another AN bigwig, Maurizio Gasparri, said: “No one’s going to jail for smoking a joint. Mind you, if you find someone with 10-15 spliffs there may be more severe consequences” .
The law raises prison terms for anyone who imports, distributes or possesses narcotics, not for personal use, to 6-20 years .
Users will not escape punishment, as in the past, but penalties will be mild: ranging from an official warning to temporary confiscation of driving licenses and passports .
The law has been greeted mostly with dismay by drug treatment professionals .
Like their colleagues in other countries, they have been arguing for years that treatment should be given a much higher priority than incarceration .
Treatment specialists said the main problem facing Italy was a 80% rise in cocaine use in the past 10 years .
The crackdown has also sparked controversy because it would override a 1993 referendum in which Italians voted to decriminalise the use of drugs, allowing only pushers and traffickers to be prosecuted .
Critics argue that prohibition would force users underground, benefit the Mafia and do nothing to help addicts .
They say the drug possession amounts above which users face prosecution are very low .
According to recent statistics, 33% of Italian teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 have smoked pot at least once, while 10-12% have tried cocaine, 11% ecstasy and 7-10% crack .
Among adult Italians, almost 10% are reported to use pot on a regular basis .
There are an estimated 300,000-320,000 heroin addicts in Italy, more than 20,000 of whom are in jail. In 2001, 150,300 Italians were treated for drug addiction .
