Sweden's zero-tolerance drug policy should be reviewed: narcotics officer

marijuana CC flickr Katherine Hitt

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Sweden's zero-tolerance drug policy should be reviewed: narcotics officer

14 June 2018

By The Local

Sweden's current policy is based on the goal of a "drug-free society" and makes no distinction between "hard" and "soft" drugs. Those found guilty of possession or usage can face fines and a mark on their criminal record, sanctions that Lennart Karlsson, chairman of the Swedish Narcotics Police Officers Association (Svenska narkotikapolisföreningen) argued were counter-productive. "The most vulnerable people in society who have addiction problems often have economic problems and no way of paying. Giving them fines is ineffectual," Karlsson told SVT Nyheter. Instead, he argued that more money should be invested in treating addictions -- though he doesn’t support a complete removal of the sanctions. "I think fines can be a deterring factor for people who don’t want treatment and think they should have the right to take drugs," he said.