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Israel: Recommendations for Israel to adopt Portugal's model of tackling drug use

Becca Noy

Jerusalem Online

Monday 12 Dec 2016

Representatives from the Israel Anti-Drug Authority (IADA) presented a surprising stance based on the Portuguese model of tackling drug use to the Knesset Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse. The representatives recommended that users found in possession of 25 grams of cannabis or less not be considered criminals.

It appears that the Israel Anti-Drug Authority (IADA) supports implanting Portugal's model of tackling drug use in Israel. Today (Monday), the IADA presented a similar plan to the Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, recommending that instead of charging a person with a drug crime, he or she is given therapy or community service orders.

“It’s good to see that the IADA finally understands that the way is to handle addiction and not fight the use of cannabis and turn the users into criminals,” said MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz), the committee’s chairwoman. “Israel is moving on and advancing into a new era and it seems like legalization is just a matter of time. The war on drugs failed and we need to be focusing on treatment on the one hand and not criminalizing the use on the other.”

“The problem in the use of cannabis is a social problem and medical problem, only a few cases are criminal problems,” said IADA Director-General Eitan Gorni. The IADA’s chief scientist Dr. Yossi Harel-Fish explained that in Portugal, “the drug problem has been recognized as a health problem and not a criminal problem.”

“This approach turned into efforts to connect the users back to society,” continued Harel-Fish. “The punishment is administrative but not criminal.”

“Although drugs will remain illegal, users with up to 25 grams will not be sent to criminal court,” added Harel-Fish. “The enforcement takes place in public areas, not private ones. The police officer will carry a scale. If the weight is larger than 25 grams, the person is sent for criminal treatment. If the weight is equal or less, the person is sent to appear in front of a treatment committee under the authority of the Israeli Health Ministry, not the Israel Police.”

http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/politics-and-military/politics/legalization-of-cannabis-in-israel-is-just-a-matter-of-time-says-meretz-mk-25289

 

 

 

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