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Newsbrief:
European
Union
Presidency
Calls
for
Frank
Discussion
of
Drug
Laws
6/13/03
In an address to the European
Union's Dublin Group on drug policy, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou
called for a frank discussion of drug laws "without taboos." Papandreou
was speaking on behalf of the Greek government, which now holds the presidency
of the European Council. The council, which represents the governments
of Europe, and the European Parliament, together form the political institutions
of the European Union (EU).
The EU must formulate a common
drug policy, Papandreou said, and must begin a debate that is open and
frank. "If we do not speak openly, if we do not discuss these issues
without taboos, we shall not be able to achieve effective solutions.
The more open and frank we are, I believe the more easily we shall be able
to arrive at certain joint positions." Noting a "polarization" between
countries with more lenient policies and those favoring existing international
drug conventions, Papandreou called for rising above rhetoric and "ascertaining
what works and what must be changed." That dialogue would, of necessity,
include the US, "the leader in the area of anti-narcotics policies," Papandreou
said.
The Greek foreign minister
gave his imprimatur to harm reduction policies, despite the opposition
with which they are greeted in some member countries. "I continue
to believe that it is a justified approach, but there is some ambiguity
which allows certain misconceptions and criticism by international narcotics
control agencies of the practices adopted in certain countries, as well
as hesitation on the part of other countries to adopt measures which have
proven effective."
Papandreou also told attendees
that decriminalizing drug use was becoming increasingly accepted and that
"we must examine this issue, to see how we will deal with users."
-- END --
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Issue #291, 6/13/03
Editorial: The Rule of Law | Global Social Forum Meeting in Cartagena to Draw Broad Spectrum of Global Activists for Colombia Focus -- DRCNet Will Be There | Anatomy of a Victory: How Reformers Rolled Back Souder and the Drug Czar | Ontario Marijuana Laws in the Twilight Zone | Jacksonville Hemp Fest Marred by Police Violence, Warrant Issued for Organizer for Obstructing (In)Justice | Drug Reform and the Democratic Presidential Nominating Process | Sad Day in the Medical Marijuana Movement: Medical Marijuana Patient and Activist Cheryl Miller Passes Away at 57 | DRCNet Urgently Needs Your Donations -- Sullum Book Offer Still Going | This Week in History | Newsbrief: European Union Presidency Calls for Frank Discussion of Drug Laws | Newsbrief: Demonstrations Mark Thailand Drug War Killings | Newsbrief: Oregon Medical Marijuana Provider Gets Prison Time | Newsbrief: Drug Czar Declares War on Summer | Newsbrief: Supreme Courts Again Says No to Cincinnati Drug Zone Ban Law | The Reformer's Calendar
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