1. What do you think of drugs (both soft and hard) on itself?
I think they can be dangerous, however it's not always clear where to put the line. If someone wants to use softdrugs, I don't mind as long as that person's not bringing others into danger. I don't mind if people who smoke endanger their own health, I do mind if they endanger mine. Smoke, alcohol and drugs are in those ways similar, that they can damage your health and that of others. (however with smoking in a different way, you don't get drunk or stoned by sitting next to someone who is, you do inhale smoke when sitting next to a person who smokes at that particular time). You can get addicted to any of these three. Softdrugs are harder to get addicted to than harddrugs however. Anyway I don't mind if someone smokes, drinks or uses softdrugs as long as they don't endanger others, and also not try to get others into it.
2. Do you think the fact that soft-drugs are legal causes social problems in the Netherlands (like a lot of people who are in favour of laws against it say)? Why?
I don't think they do. Never heard of anything like it, if there was a major problem I'm sure it would've been in the newspaper or on television. Where I live, I don't see so many people using (soft)drugs. Sometimes yes, but I see way more people smoking (and to be honest, that annoys me more, because that way I have not much choice but to inhale the smoke if I am around those people).
3. Why do you think soft-drugs are legal in the Netherlands while in the rest of Europe it is illegal?
I have no idea why they don't legalize it in other countries. I think we should help softdrugsaddicts instead of punishing them. Helping them to get back into society. My granddad helps them, he used to be in a political party (PvdA for Dutchies here) and now that he's retired he uses part of his spare time to visit those people and help them. I think that's a really nice thing to do
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4. In the Netherlands the government doesn’t see a big problem in soft-drugs, why do you think that other countries in Europe think of soft-drugs as a really big problem?
No idea, since smoking and alcohol can be compared to it, and they are legal. When someone is drunk, his senses are also not sensing correctly anymore, as with softdrugs. So either make them all illegal, or allow softdrugs.
5. What do you think of the punishments in the Netherlands for owning hard-drugs? Is it too soft or too hard? Why do you think that and what should/could be changed?
What exactly IS the punishment given here? I have no idea of that, so I can't answer this, but what I do know is I think we should help them instead of only putting them into jail. Help them getting rid of their addiction.
6. What do you think of the Dutch policy when looking at drugs (e.g. should there be more ‘blue on the streets’ (in specific places) against violation of the laws on drugs)?
Well I think more blue on the street would be better used for other things, like murder and rape. I guess it won't hurt against drugs, but they should only interrrogate someone if he's a suspect or has seen something.
7. The Dutch law says that it is legal to grow weed for your self (with the emphasis on for your self). What do you think of this particular law taking into consideration that it is (nearly) impossible to make sure people stick to it?
The risk here is that something goes wrong with the plant. This person could kill him self, but then again one can also do that by eating poison. If it's only for self purposes I think it could be allowed, but perhaps there could be written things about how to do it properly then, so that the people don't endanger themselves more than the drug itself already is as a danger.
8. Would you prefer the law like it is now (so you can grow weed for your self), a law that says that you can grow weed for your self and others (above 18 years old), or a law that says that growing weed is illegal?
For yourself. People so badly wanting softdrugs, might end up buying something from someone who's put for example mice poison in it. I think it's better if they grow it themselves, or have it from an authority which checks first whether it is stuff to be trusted (like food has a 'keurmerk' in Dutch, don't know the English word).
9. What do you thinks works better and should be more supported by the government when trying to lower the number of drug users?
a) Preventing people from using drugs (like done at schools in the way of informing pupils about drugs)
b) Punishing people for using and selling drugs
a. Preventing is always better. Punishing won't make them change their mind about drugs and a possible addiction. With preventing you can tell them the risks and everything, which in my eyes helps. On my secondary school we've been told about several drugs and their risks. At my school it hardly happened. Not much people used soft- or harddrugs. People who have been told less (who've only done primary school or average secondary school) are more likely to try it out one day, because they are not aware of the dangers.
10. Do you think soft-drugs should be made totally illegal in the Netherlands? Why?
No. If that was to happen, then also smoking and alcohol should be forbidden. They propose danger as well. I say allow it, as long as you (whether you drink, smoke or take softdrugs) do not endanger anyone else (with smoking that is likely to happen though, if you smoke in public). If someone wants to fuck up his own health, be my guest. Just let the rest of the world live in their peace. If someone wants to be stupid, after being told otherwise, then let him. Just don't endanger others or force them into it.
11. Have you ever used drugs?
YES: Looking from the eye point of a non-drugs user, would you have answered most/all questions in a different way?
NO: Looking from the eye point of a drugs user, would you have answered most/all questions in a different way?
No, and I never intend to do so. I wouldn't have given different answers, because I don't mind someone using softdrugs, as long as they don't endanger or force me or other people into it.
