Pubdate: 19 Apr 1999 Source: Survey Of German Language Newspapers Courtesy: Harald Lerch Pat Dolan NEWS IN BRIEF DECRIMINALISATION OF DRUGS REJECTED - EXPERTS PLEAD FOR REFORM OF THE DRUG LAWS Hannover/Magdeburg (dpa) - Jost Leune, the executive director of the Hannover based professional association of drug and addiction specialists, categorically rejects decriminalsiation of soft drugs. "That would reduce criminality but would do nothing to fight the addiction problem," he said. At the same time he would like to see a reform of the drug laws. "One way would be to set up drug courts as we have young people’s courts which could be functioning in a very short time. The members of the association are meeting in Magdeburg on Monday for a three day national congress. Leune is calling for a ‘Drugs and Addiction’ commission of enquiry to be set up. "We need an integrated concept with input from the areas of health, prevention and law enforcement," he said. Youth leaders, schools and parents’ circles will also be consulted. In times of social anxiety, coupled with the absence of vision, the feeling that life is worth while is not being communicated to young people. According to Leune, the average age of drug addicts is between 26 and 30 years. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake