thsnarcoticsnetherlands2

Topic: Legalization of Drugs Committee: Narcotics Country: Netherlands Name: Remeny Perez

Background: Throughout the world, disputes about illegal drugs have grown. The legalization of drugs, simply stated, is identifying whether certain drugs are legal or illegal. Although many countries, such as the U.S., have had many issues with the high amount of drug-oriented citizens in society, some countries don’t seem to have many people interacting with drugs. There are many things that a country must first understand before even considering legalizing any drugs in their country. Many people these days are becoming poisoned from illegal drugs at younger and younger ages, causing more people to be addicted and develop physical and mental problems. Cocaine, which is one of the oldest known drugs, has been inhaled for thousands of years and was discovered mainly in Bolivia and Peru. Heroin, also an illegal drug, is believed to be the most popular, misused, and most addicting drug. Inhalants not only have the possibility of causing short term effects such as slower reactions, but also liver damage, memory and attention problems, and even death. Drug users are causing damage to their body, but do they know it? UN involvement: The UN created a committee called the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, which was believed to help a numerous amount of “druggies.” This convention was based around the fact that it would decrease the amount of possession, use, trade, distribution, import, export, manufacture and production of drugs. In addition, the International Narcotics Control Board was created to enforce things such as the convention, but also to combat any of those who would traffic drugs into other countries. Many countries are fascinated by the success we have had with sticking to our laws about drugs, however this method could not result as effectively in all countries. Country Policy: We, the Netherlands, believe in having an enforced law that can bring success. While most drugs are provided through coffee shops in our country, our main focus was to write our laws accordingly. The uses of certain drugs were illegal in our country for around 3 decades but those laws began to fade. Now, it is legal to have small portions of drugs provided to one (5 grams per person), however, no drugs may be advertised, no hard drugs may be sold, and none are to be sold to anyone under 18 years of age. We believe that an individual is capable of making decisions, whether right, or wrong, Whether or not that has to do with using drugs, is up to them. Solutions: Our policy concerning drugs seems to really bring success toward our society. Although it has been mentioned that with the legalization of drugs in the Netherlands that the amount of drugs used could possibly increase, this does not seem to be its conclusion. We have made it clear to our country’s people that if you are going to use drugs, that only a small portion is permitted. Unlike any other country, who has completely banned the use of most drugs, the Netherlands' solution has brought a high success rate, whose ratings are higher than the United States in all aspects. Although this solution has brought wonders to our country, it doesn’t seem that it may fulfill all countries conflicts regarding drugs. Even with the high number of drug users around the world, we believe that when people are given rules to abide, they only want to work against those laws more. So, with that reason, we gave the people a right to use drugs under certain circumstances, and it has only given us success. We look forward to discussing more solutions with other countries, and to creating agencies within the UN to form policies for countries to follow. We believe that if this was done, that countries would be able to be a part of a committee whose policies are based on their specific country and their needs.