Pubdate: Tue, 07 Nov 2000
Source: Dagens Nyheter (Sweden)
Copyright: 2000 Dagens Nyheter
Feedback: http://www.dn.se/
Website: http://www.dn.se/
Author: TT
Note: Translated by newshawk

POLICE PRIORITIZE MINOR DRUG OFFENCES

The Police prioritize minor rather than serious drug offences. This is 
evident in a new report from the National Council for Crime Prevention (BRA).

"The police must be given more funding in the fight against organized drug 
crimes," says Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Lars Engqvist.

The police authorities activity logs show that efforts against minor drug 
offences, drug use and possession, is given a considerable higher priority 
than efforts against serious drug crimes. A clear shift in comparison with 
the 80's, according to Peter Lindstrom, director and researcher at BRA.

"Between 1988 and 1998 we can see that the number of working hours for 
police drug enforcement has doubled. And they have in large been used for 
enforcement of minor drug offences," says Peter Lindstrom to TT.

1988 drug use was criminalized. In 1993 the maximal punishment was 
increased to six months imprisonment. In connection to the change of the 
law, police was given authority to forced urine and blood tests on those 
who are suspected of being under the influence of drug.

The number of persons who were arrested for minor drug offences has 
increased 70 percent between 1991 and 1997 - from 4100 to 7000 persons. The 
number of drugtests done by the police has doubled since 1994, from 6000 to 
12000 in 1998.

The number of youths who have tried illegal drugs has increased during the 
1990's. "On the basis of the information that is available regarding the 
development of the illegal drug use there are no clear-cut signs that the 
criminalization of drug use and the more stringent laws have had any 
deterent effect", BRA writes.

However, it can't be excluded that youth drug use would have increased even 
more if this legislation not had been introduced, BRA continues.

Henrik Tham, professor in criminology, is one of those who earlier has 
criticized Swedish drug policy for relying to much on punishment and 
prohibition.

"The statistics show that our tough legislation has not had an effect, 
despite that the police enters body fluids in their search for illegal 
drugs," says Tham.

"One could certainly say that we would have had a worse situation with a 
different type of legislation, but one could always say that. The fact 
remains, ever more people use illegal drugs."

Superintendent Walter Kego at the National Narcotics Crime Unit is critical 
of the fact that many county's have disarmed their drug divisions.

"In order to get to the serious criminals we have to invest in specialists 
on serious crime. At the streat level it works good, where we already have 
specialists, says Kego.

Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Lars Engqvist, believes that the 
police needs to recieve more funding to fight organized crime. He sees two 
reasons to the increase in drug use.

"The relationship between the police and the social services does not work. 
The police resources are insufficient," Engqvist says.
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