Only recently, The Czech Republic changed their policy for drug possession. Before 2009, the law only states that people are allowed “small amounts” of certain drugs. But on January 1st 2001, the “small amounts” has finally been changed and now has a definition and amount of “small amounts” one is allowed to carry. You are allowed to possess 15 grams of marijuana, 1 gram of cocaine, 4 tablets of ecstasy, and 1.5 grams of heroine, without any criminal charges. Anything more than that amount may be arrested and sent to court or receive a fine, but also may receive merely a warning from the police.
Authorities say that this law change is for the purpose of decriminalizing the use and possession of drugs. So does this mean people who will or might intake drugs increase? In concept, if this new law has really decriminalized drugs, more addicts and HIV/AIDS cases would increase. But according to Dr. Ivan Douda (2010), “one would expect their use would have increased, which hadn't happened. As for HIV/AIDS, of the 157 new HIV cases recorded last year, just four were intravenous drug users. 75% of hard drug users regularly came forward to get themselves tested.” Apparently, this change of law did not really decriminalize drug use. And situations remain the same in The Czech Republic.
Authorities say that this law change is for the purpose of decriminalizing the use and possession of drugs. So does this mean people who will or might intake drugs increase? In concept, if this new law has really decriminalized drugs, more addicts and HIV/AIDS cases would increase. But according to Dr. Ivan Douda (2010), “one would expect their use would have increased, which hadn't happened. As for HIV/AIDS, of the 157 new HIV cases recorded last year, just four were intravenous drug users. 75% of hard drug users regularly came forward to get themselves tested.” Apparently, this change of law did not really decriminalize drug use. And situations remain the same in The Czech Republic.
沒有留言:
張貼留言