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DRUGS

‘Crush the cocaine finely’: Zaragoza sparks row with tips for drug-takers

Authorities in Zaragoza are in hot water after publishing guidelines for drug users that highlight the best ways to consume cocaine, speed and other narcotics.

Published: 8 February 2018 11:30 CET
'Crush the cocaine finely': Zaragoza sparks row with tips for drug-takers
Photo: Dmytro_z/Depositphotos

It contains advice such as: “In order to make a tube (for sniffing) to limit damage to the nostrils it is better to use rolled-up paper or cardboard than a pipe or other hard material.”

And: “Crushing the cocaine finely reduces the risk of bleeding or ulcerations on the inside of the nostrils.”

For marijuana users: ““Depending on the type of effects desired (psychedelic, relaxing, therapeutic) one type or another of cannabis with the appropriate cannabinoid ratio should be sought.”

Zaragoza City Hall, which is run by a coalition allied with radical left Podemos, issued the 31-page document titled “Drugs: the world, the neighbourhood” to tackle drug use in the northeastern city.

It contains chapters on consuming various substances including alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, as well as illegal narcotics such as cocaine and amphetamines.

The pamphlet is designed to limit the risks involved in drug taking and has been backed by Consumo ConCiencia, an organisation that aims to educate drug users on reducing risks and runs a scheme offering lab analysis of a substance before they consume.

“There is no such thing as a world without drugs; but there is the option of being well informed, aware and having the right laws,” explains the introduction to the guide.

The document has sparked fierce debate with opposition council members calling for it to be withdrawn.

Jorge Azcon, the spokesman for the conservative Popular Party (PP) in Zarogoza described it as “a manual for drug taking”.

“Rather than emphasize the dangers of drug taking this booklet highlights how to enjoy drugs,” he said.

“What they are telling people is that when consuming drugs, this is how not to hurt their nose, how to take the correct amount, but what they are not told is how cocaine can destroy their life.”

Javier Sanchez, the founder of Consumo ConCienca insists the pamphlet “in no way promotes drug use” but rather is designed to highlight “the need for good practice to reduce the risks involved in drug taking.”

It’s not the first time such a polemic has swirled over drug education.

Last year in the Basque city of Bilbao, health authorities came under fire for distributing handy credit card sized tips for cocaine users.

They bore messages such as: “Cut your line properly… If it is not properly cut, you could damage your nostrils”.

DRUGS

Germany should make cannabis available at pharmacies not ‘coffee shops’, says FDP boss

Germany's possible new government could well relax the country's strict cannabis laws. But FDP leader Christian Lindner says he doesn't want to go down the Netherlands route.

Published: 18 October 2021 12:50 CEST
A demonstrator smokes a joint at the pro-cannabis Hanfparade in Berlin in August 2021.
A demonstrator smokes a joint at the pro-cannabis Hanfparade in Berlin in August 2021. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Annette Riedl

The Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) are set to engage in coalition talks in a bid to become the next German government.  And the future of cannabis will likely be one of the topics to be thrashed out.

In drug policy, the three parties are not too far apart in their positions. So it’s possible that the drug could be decriminalised.

However, nothing is set in stone and the parties still haven’t come to a common line on the question of where and to what extent cannabis could be accessed. 

The leader of the Liberal FDP, Christian Lindner, has now come out in favour of allowing cannabis products such as hashish to be sold in a controlled manner. 

Consumers should be allowed “to purchase a quantity for their own use, for example, in a pharmacy after health education,” Lindner told a live broadcast on German daily Bild on Sunday.

Lindner said he was sceptical about the sale in “coffee shops” according to the Dutch model. “I am in favour of controlled distribution, and therefore health education must be able to take place,” he said.

READ MORE: Patients in Germany still face hurdles accessing medical marijuana

People in the Netherlands can access cannabis products in coffee shops under the country’s tolerant drugs policy. However coffee shops have to follow certain strict conditions. For instance they are not allowed to sell large quantities to an individual. 

Lindner said his main aims were about “crime and health prevention” and not with “legalising a right to intoxication”.

It’s not clear if Lindner advocates for prescription-only cannabis for medical use, or an over-the-counter model. 

The FDP previously said that they they are in favour of the creation of licensed shops. Their manifesto highlights the health benefits, tax windfalls and reallocation of police resources that legalisation would create.

The Green party also want licensed shops, as well as a whole new approach to drug control starting with the controlled legalisation of marijuana. The Greens state that “strict youth and user protection” would be the centre point of their legislation and hope to “pull the rug from under the black market”.

The SPD also want a reform of Germany’s prohibition stance – but are more cautious than the smaller parties on the legalisation aspect. They would like to initially set up pilot projects. 

READ ALSO: Why Germany could be on the brink of legalising cannabis

Controversial topic

So far, the sale of cannabis is officially banned in Germany. Possession of cannabis is also currently illegal across the entire country. Those caught carrying the substance can face anything from a fine to five years in jail.

However, the justice system generally looks away if you are caught carry small quantities for personal use unless you have a previous conviction.

The definition of personal use differs from state to state, with Berlin having the most liberal rules and Bavaria the tightest.

It is estimated that around four million people regularly use cannabis in Germany.

Representatives of police unions in Germany have warned against legalisation. They argue that cannabis is an often trivialised drug that can lead to considerable health problems and social conflicts, especially among young people.

Oliver Malchow, from the GdP police union, said that “it doesn’t make any sense to legalise another dangerous drug on top of alcohol”.

The current Ministry of Health also continues to oppose the legalisation of cannabis, a spokesperson for Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) made clear. Cannabis is a dangerous substance and therefore legalisation is not advisable, the spokesman said. 

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