Now that the study semesters are starting again, we can say that the first festival summer after the pandemic is also coming to an end. Drug use is often normal at these festivals. Despite this, a broad debate about a radical overhaul of drug policy seems to be getting no closer. This perpetuates parallel societies that endanger citizens in many ways, while certainly not stopping the supply and use of drugs. In other words, when are we really going to talk about drug policy together?
Although drugs are of all times, during the lockdowns it was in the news that young people are using more drugs. According to the authoritative Trimbos Institute, 13 percent of students used ecstasy last year. On the website, the institute tries to answer the question whether drug use is actually normalizing, for example with a health survey. This shows that 3 percent of 50 to 64 year olds have ever used ecstasy, 9 percent of 40 to 49 year olds, 18 percent of 30 to 39 year olds and 19 percent of 20 to 24 year olds . These figures show that at least among younger generations ecstasy use has become more normal.
About the author
Bas Keemink is a philosopher and podcast maker.
Mainstream
In the past six months I have traveled a lot through Europe. I noticed that not only at festivals, but everywhere I went drug use was normal. What also struck me is that people of all ages and backgrounds used drugs at the most diverse times. Before the pandemic, I already saw a normalization of ecstasy and MDMA, but drugs like ketamine, 2cb and LSD – which were considered extreme ten years ago – also seem to be gradually becoming mainstream.
Nevertheless, there seems to be no room for a substantive debate about drug policy. A debate that people who use drugs take seriously. If you look at the website of the European Union, you will immediately see the well-known mantras. The EU states that their strategy is to reduce both supply and demand for drugs, based on proven policies.
Hazards
But if the policies of the past fifty years have proven one thing, it’s that they don’t work. The demand for drugs has been there since time immemorial and if we look at the numbers, nowadays there is not less, but more drugs used. Rather than pointing the finger at the user and/or provider, it’s time for a serious debate about how current drug policies perpetuate dangers. Because of a ban on substances, they remain on the criminal market. It happens almost every year that someone dies as a result of a contaminated ecstasy pill: this can be prevented by removing ecstasy from the criminal sphere.
In addition, young people who consider themselves without a chance are tempted by the big money to enter an extremely violent world. In this way there is a parallel society of drug providers who disregard the rule of law, a parallel society of drug users who consume the substances and a parallel society of governments – such as the European Union – who stand firm to criminalize both groups, without any use. The government must aim to limit dangers, which is clearly not possible with this policy.
Although summer is coming to an end and the range of festivals on weekends is also diminishing, home use has been discovered during the lockdowns. The drug use will also continue without the festivals. How are we really going to ensure that young people are kept out of a violent environment, while at the same time giving young people the opportunity to experiment with drugs as safely and responsibly as possible?
That will only succeed if there is room for a voice that questions the current drug policy.