Legalize Marijuana and
Reduce Use?
New Survey Puts Estimate of Dutch Marijuana Use Even More Below DEAland
(Ed. note: While marijuana is not technically
legal in Holland, it is clear that legalization of marijuana would not have the effect
that prohibitionists claim. Holland also has a much lower rate of hard drug use. It is
often said that there are major "cultural differences" between the US and
Holland. Yes, the Dutch drugs policy is not run by pathological liars. Ours will certainly
have their work cut out for them, if they are ever asked about this report. But then who
would ever do that? No one ever asks them any questions.)
See Comparison of
drug addiction levels in various European countries. From
the Faculty of Environmental Sciences
University of Amsterdam
Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130
NL-1018 VZ Amsterdam
Fax +31 20 525 5822
April 14, 1998
From A.Sas@frw.uva.nl (Arjan Sas)
CEDRO Press release
See Go Dutch!
CEDRO (Centre for Drug Research) PRESS RELEASE
Estimated cannabis use in the Netherlands substantially lower
The Netherlands most probably has a far lower number of cannabis
users than previously assumed. According to research into drug use in Tilburg and Utrecht,
the estimated number of cannabis users in the Netherlands is between 220.000 and
400.000. This represents 1.7 to 3.0 percent of the population ages 12 years and older.
Tilburg is a medium-sized town in Southern Holland; Utrecht is the country’s fourth
largest city and situated in the centre. (Ed. note: The Netherlands
has a population of around 15 million.)
The use of other illegal drugs (cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines, LSD and heroin) is low
in both towns. In Utrecht, 6.8 percent of the population had previously used one of the
above substances; for Tilburg, this percentage is 3.2 percent. However, the use of other illegal drugs in the month preceding the survey is
considerably lower, i.e., 1.4 percent in Utrecht and 0.4 percent in Tilburg. Therefore,
much of the consumption of other illegal drugs is experimental rather than regular drug
use. These are the findings of a survey by the Centre for Drug Research (CEDRO) at
the University of Amsterdam.
Also examined was the use of legal drugs and the consumption of sleeping
pills/tranquillisers.
39.9 percent of the Tilburg population and 41.0 percent of the people of Utrecht smoke
cigarettes. This is almost the same percentage as in Amsterdam (40.8 percent). The consumption of alcohol in the capital is slightly lower than in the
other two towns. There, 69.3 percent had used alcohol in the last month, compared
to 73.5 percent in Utrecht and 74.9 percent in Tilburg.
The use of sleeping pills and tranquillisers in Utrecht and Tilburg is low. Between
five and seven percent of the population had taken sleeping pills in the previous month;
between four and six percent had used tranquillisers. These medicines are nearly always
prescribed by a physician unless they are homeopathic remedies.
Finally, the number of persons not using any drugs at all
(including alcohol and tobacco) was investigated. Strikingly enough, Amsterdam takes the
lead again: approximately one fifth of the population had not used any drugs - including
alcohol and tobacco - in the month preceding the survey. In Utrecht this applied to
17.2 percent and in Tilburg to 14.7 percent of the population.
National cannabis use
Since there are no new national studies on drug use in the Netherlands, the figures
that are going around are based on estimates. The new estimation of
the total number of cannabis users is specifically based on cannabis use in Tilburg. With
regard to housing, age structure and employment situation the population of Tilburg is
very typical for the Dutch population. The best known estimate of the number of cannabis
users is 675.000. This number was used at the drug debate in the Dutch Lower House
(1996) and is also mentioned in the official Dutch drug report to the European Union.
However, this estimation was based on the cannabis use in Amsterdam and on a national
survey that was carried out in schools. In both cases it is doubtful whether the examined
groups are representative of the Dutch population as a whole. Amsterdam has considerably
more ‘singles’ and young adults, i.e., groups with a generally higher prevalence
of use. Neither can students be considered representative of the Dutch population.
Incidentally, figures for the entire country will soon no longer have to be based on local
surveys since a national study on drug use in the Netherlands is currently being carried
out by CEDRO.
"Het gebruik van legale en illegale drugs in Utrecht en Tilburg" was written
by Marieke Langemeijer, Roelf-Jan van Til and Peter Cohen of the Centre for Drug Research
(CEDRO) at the University of Amsterdam.
Editorial note
For research review copies, please contact the public relations department of the
University of Amsterdam, Klaas Dijkhuis, tel.: (+31) 20 525 2695.
For further information: CEDRO, Marieke Langemeijer, M.P.S.Langemeijer@mail.uva.nl
"Het gebruik van legale en illegale drugs in Utrecht en Tilburg"
(135 pages, NLG 25.-) is available in any bookstore in the Netherlands and Flanders, and
can be ordered from publishing house Mets in Amsterdam. The book can also be ordered via
Internet: http://www.frw.uva.nl/cedro/order/
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