The Dutch and their drugs: The end of an era? Reflections on Dutch policies towards tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs

Abstract

Dutch drug policy has received a great deal of attention all over the world and many have judged this policy to be (too) liberal and (too) tolerant. This article describes the highlights in The Netherlands with regard to the use of illegal drugs and the use of tobacco and alcohol, the policies towards these substances, recent discussions and expected changes in the near future. A tendency towards a more repressive policy can be detected. Rational arguments do not seem to play the dominant role in the public acceptance of a substance, nor in regard to the public acceptance of possible policy options.