Discuss the Netherlands' approach to the drug problem. Comment on whether this approach will work ...

The Dutch drug policy is a combination of four elements. The first is the official tolerance of soft drugs (marijuana and hashish-a condensed form of marijuana). Although sale is technically illegal, many cafes openly sell marijuana without fear of arrests or fines. The second is a tough enforcement effort aimed at the dealers of hard drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, that are often smuggled into Rotterdam, the world's largest port. The third element of Dutch policy is the decriminalization of all users. No one is jailed for merely using or possessing small amounts of any drug. Finally, the Dutch have made treatment and maintenance programs easily available to all addicts. The Netherlands, since the program's inception a number of years ago, has seen a sharp decline in the number of heroin addicts and an increase in their average age (indicating that fewer younger people are becoming addicted). In addition, the Netherlands did not experience the cocaine epidemic that happened in the United States.

Critics of this treatment approach are skeptical that it would work in the United States. They claim the Netherlands is less susceptible to drug abuse because it has less of a poverty problem (the country has a much more generous welfare system), and it does not have large and deteriorating urban areas. Critics also note that the Netherlands has the additional problem of drug tourism-an increasing number of travelers are going to the Netherlands specifically to buy marijuana.