Drugs
Drug policy in the Netherlands aims to reduce the demand for drugs, the supply of drugs and the risks to drug users, their immediate surroundings and society. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) is responsible for coordinating policy preparation and implementation.
The Dutch policy on drugs has been reasonably successful compared to the policies pursued in other countries, especially when it comes to prevention and care. The number of users of various types of drugs is no greater than in other countries, while the figure for drug-related deaths, at 2.4 per million inhabitants, is the lowest in Europe.
Cohesive strategy
To achieve a cohesive strategy, various ministries share the responsibility for drugs policy. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is responsible for overall co-ordination, prevention and care. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for law enforcement, while matters relating to local government or the police are dealt with by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
Care services
The Netherlands has an extensive network of care services. There are eleven clinics for addiction, with a total of 1,600 places, and seven psychiatric hospitals with special treatment units. Approximately 75 per cent of drug addicts receive care of some kind. Methadone distribution schemes enable them to lead a relatively normal life, thereby reducing the inconvenience to the public. Needle exchange programmes prevent the spread of diseases like AIDS and hepatitis B through infected needles. Addicts also have access to day centres, night shelters and sheltered housing.
Trimbos Institute
Data collection within member states is realised by the National Focal Points. Formerly the Dutch Focal Point is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), in close co-operation with the Ministry of Justice. The data collection and data reporting tasks are delegated to the Trimbos Institute. The Trimbos Institute 
is the national knowledge institute for mental health care, addiction care and social work. You can find at this site the Fact Sheet Drug Policy and also the 'Report on the drug situation 2006'.
Central Committee on the Treatment of Heroin Addicts (CCBH)
The CCBH was installed by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands in 1996. The task of the CCBH is to report to the Minister about the intended and unintended effects of medical prescription of heroin to heroin addicts who have benefited insufficiently from the currently available treatments.
Between 1998 and 2001, the CCBH investigated a total of 549 patients in two clinical studies: a study into the effects of medically prescribed injectable heroin on the patients' health condition and social functioning, and a similar study into the effects of inhalable heroin. The results of these studies, and of various supplementary studies, are presented on the CCBH website .
References
- Letter outlining drugs policy September 11 2009
- Drug policies in the Netherlands
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Social Issues
Information about drugs, euthanasia, abortion and marriage between two men or two women
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EU: drugs
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European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
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WHO: narcotic drugs
