Home » News » Comments » New drug guidelines are Europe's most liberal

New drug guidelines are Europe's most liberal

Czech rules on narcotics possession designed to aid law enforcement

All comments (24) | Post Comment

The opinions expressed in this discussion do not necessarily represent those of The Prague Post.

#1 Posted by

max smart
Unregistered user
Jan 12, 2011 4:29 am CET

interesting article. i am now seriously considering a visit to prague. some of the posts on here are very strange and misguided. drug use is largely recreational. most people are not addicts but are in fact functional members of society that party a bit.

#2 Posted by

John Kennedy
Unregistered user
Oct 4, 2010 5:30 pm CET

Ron Lindholm, your comments are the usual dribble from those that do not understand drugs and believe that laws can prevent drug abuse. As the USA has clearly proven over 7 decades, drug laws do not stop or hinder abuse. Prohibition enriches the criminals that traffic the drugs and creates violence in the uncontrolled market. The drug war is almost as bad as the drug abuse itself, as resources are wasted on interdiction and other law enforcement activities which have been proven futile.

Education is the only response that prevents abuse. Legalization is the next best step to controlling the problem while taxing the hell out it to pay for the social costs.

The Czech Republic is struggling with a measured response to the problem and is handling the issue in a responsible manner, far better than the USA.

#3 Posted by

maria ana leny
Unregistered user
Sep 28, 2010 5:59 pm CET

i going to tell you something about addiction. it is a disease, mental one, and my problem is that I am a addict rehab i don't know how i became one. i don't like to drink alchool, but i do it just to be treated. i want to escape from this nightmare. all of you stay strong!!

#4 Posted by

Paul Margulies
Feb 13, 2012 9:32 pm CET

Ms. Elena Haluschenko's comments about American "corperate" prisons display an ignorance typical of people who have never been to the US, know little about the US, but as an addict she is probably not totally responsible for her own lack of knowledge or understanding.

First, as of the end of 2010, less than 5% of the prison population in the US was housed in privately run, or as Ms. Haluschenko would put it, "corperate" facilities. Considering that it costs the state of California (as an example) about $50,000 per year, Ms. Haluschenko would have to be in a marijuana haze to assume that there is a profit motive in putting a person in prison for minor offenses.

Second, it has been said by many people in the US that the problem is that the DON'T arrest "people for minor drug offenses". Timothy Lynch, in his book, "After Prohibition: an adult approach to drug policies in the 21st century" argues that locking up buyers would dry up the market. His point is that there are 2 dealers ready to take the place of any 1 that's arrested, whereas the same is not true of buyers.

#5 Posted by

Elena Halushshenko
Unregistered user
Feb 12, 2012 12:14 pm CET

My name is Elena Haluschshenko from Prauge and I used to use allot of cocain every day and sleep around with many men, until I ened up in a hospital and got the help I need from the Czech Goverment. I still smoke marajuana but since getting the help I need from the system here I have been in good health and can take care of my family and my mother again. I thank the police who did not arrest me but got me help instead. I like the social system here it is much better than in Ukraina where I am from.Thank you Czech Republic.

#6 Posted by

elana haluschenko
Unregistered user
Feb 7, 2012 12:14 pm CET

The Czechs are correct in their view unlike americans who"s corperate prisions are over crowded with people for minor drug offenses.Czechs don't make money by sending people to prision like americans do.They care about treating people and taking care of them not making money off it.

#7 Posted by

jan fleur
Sep 29, 2010 2:26 pm CET

Maria Ana Leny portrays the reality of drug addiction through personal testament which is brave of her. Those who are beyond debate of the reality of addiction just want to stay alive and help others not to make the same mistakes. The need to find help and safety to change is difficult and keeping the desire to be free of addiction is something only an addict knows. Where there is good advice and self help groups is always a good thing, getting rehab is the best if possible. There are no easy solutions; talking to those who broke the cycle of addiction seems best. Keeping a good spirit, whichever a person chooses, helps when the rain falls hard and the stomach is empty. Never quit trying, some day; to be free.

#8 Posted by

Dan Antivir
Unregistered user
Apr 26, 2010 10:59 am CET

Good article and yes when it really comes down to business it's just a matter of money.

Dan
Antivirus Community

#9 Posted by

Socolov Andreea
Mar 18, 2010 2:27 pm CET

To be honest, I don't understand why they are still doing illegal stuff when now there is this legal bud high that gets you as good as it gets. Try it.

#10 Posted by

alasdr sdert
Unregistered user
Feb 16, 2010 10:14 pm CET

mephedrone should be not legal.

#11 Posted by

Karel Bures
Jan 6, 2010 1:30 pm CET

Ron Lindholm, well written and well said. I too was deeply disappointed to read this article. It seems the Czech Government is quite determined to learn the hard way in regard to 'recreational drugs', from marijuana up to ecstasy and ice, and God Knows what else. Liberty does not imply the license to do pretty well what one pleases. And you're right, Western civilisation is threatened with downfall by the official toleration of these substances.

Frankly, countries such as Singapore have the right approach - zero tolerance, and don't they police it well.

#12 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Jan 6, 2010 3:30 am CET

"Liberal or far right? who who do you think your fooling......"

A truly puzzling comment.I don't know who you are "commenting" about but it surely looks like you were-perhaps-on LSD.

#13 Posted by

Ron Lindholm
Unregistered user
Jan 5, 2010 5:42 pm CET

Since I don't live in the Czech Republic, I normally won't comment on the policy of a foreign government. But since I have a certain affection for the country after many visits and this is an outragous decision, I will make an exception.

This is probably the most idiotic decision made in the Czech Republic since 1989.

This is nothing but a surrender to those who want to spread the use of heavy drugs in Europe, the US drug syndicates, the South American drug cartels and Al Quaeeda.

Instead of showing up an united front against the use of heavy drugs, countries like the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have surrendered to the drug cartels, making their countries a bridgehead for a drug invasion of Europe.

I've seen people ruin their lives with that poison and I've seen victims of crime because of that poison so I know what I'm talking about.

Drugs will lead to the downfall of Western civlization and unfortunately the current Czech government is participarting in that.

#14 Posted by

jan fleur
Unregistered user
Jan 5, 2010 7:08 am CET

Liberal or far right? who who do you think your fooling......

#15 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Jan 4, 2010 3:35 pm CET

"A Briitish citizen faces the death peanalty in China; evidence abounds the man suffers from bi-polar illness."

People with bi-polar illness are able to function relatively normally with the right drugs taken.
Not the drugs you are talking about,though.

#16 Posted by

jan fleur
Unregistered user
Jan 4, 2010 11:08 am CET

The use of viagra and 'normix' in large amounts mixed with garlic polevka can cause 'abnormal nose movements' do not risk this; trust me.

#17 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Jan 3, 2010 7:14 pm CET

"people shold not be allowed to Buy mephedrone"

Why not,if anything else is for sale?Are heroin,cocain and other drugs any less harmful?

#18 Posted by

yosse hfgd
Unregistered user
Jan 3, 2010 6:13 am CET

people shold not be allowed to Buy mephedrone

#19 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Dec 31, 2009 3:03 pm CET

"well, in that case don't you think the drug treatment centers across the country should now introduce advance programs that can help in defeating the addiction issues?"

And what are these "advanced"programs?

#20 Posted by

maria thomas
Unregistered user
Dec 31, 2009 9:32 am CET

I am a little confused on the newly enforced law. Does it actually punish a person who possess lesser quantities of heroin or marijuana? well, in that case don't you think the drug treatment centers across the country should now introduce advance programs that can help in defeating the addiction issues?

#21 Posted by

ian d
Unregistered user
Dec 28, 2009 12:23 pm CET

A Briitish citizen faces the death peanalty in China; evidence abounds the man suffers from bi-polar illness. Most people understand laws and obey them; some through desperation will 'take thier chance'; this man knew a market exsisted; it may be the last thing he remembers.

#22 Posted by

Gerald Scott Flint
Unregistered user
Dec 26, 2009 6:55 pm CET

As long as the demand for drugs is present there will be drug trafficing! Drinking PIVO is also use of a drug and it is also very legal and very well taxed. To use or not use PIVO or other drugs is the choice of every adult person and making it available to them without legal punishment attached could be a way for the country to gain tax advantages from those who use. I have more than 18 years of knowing the loving the Czech people and I can not imagine taking away PIVO from them! I also know that I have seen very little 'Trava' smoked by Czechs in those 18 years. People are prone to abuse anything that helps take away the reality and pain of life here in Planet Earth! For some it is Chocolate , Sex, PIVO or harder drugs while for others it may be reading, music or meditation. Whenever those who deal or sel things can see way to make money then they will do it! You simply can not stop people from wanting to escape from reality and others from making money whilst helping them do it!

With a great love for The Czech Republic and it's people ,
Gerald Scott Flint
volmedics@aol.com

#23 Posted by

Jiri Hubacek
Dec 26, 2009 5:19 pm CET

"It would be great addition if they would start to sale these substances as well and tax it, to add some money for drug traffic combat and to make life harder for illegal drug dealers."

What do you mean,"drug traffic combat" and "illegal drug dealers" in this context?
Do you mean that government should produce and/or purchase these drugs and resell them for profit and nobody else could?
That is called monopoly.

#24 Posted by

Waffa Margus
Dec 26, 2009 4:14 pm CET

It's good to see that some country politicians have clear mind, balls and enough intelligence to make right decisions.

Let's hope other country's will fallow soon.

It would be great addition if they would start to sale these substances as well and tax it, to add some money for drug traffic combat and to make life harder for illegal drug dealers.