MEP moves to calm heated debate on anti-drugs policy

Date: 29/01/1998

DUTCH Socialist MEP Hedy d'Ancona is determined to continue her campaign to secure greater coordination of national anti-drug policies despite the passions her initiative aroused among colleagues earlier this month.

But the former Dutch welfare and health minister, who believes a tolerant policy towards drug users is the best way forward, is likely to adopt a softly softly approach in the coming weeks in a bid to take some of the heat out of the argument. The tone and venom of MEPs' reactions to the report she presented on 15 January surprised many of her colleagues.

"The ferocity of the debate, particularly the noises off-stage before the report came to plenary, was really quite startling. Even the arguments over the patenting of biotechnological inventions did not include that tinge of real bitterness," explained one senior Euro MP.

The invective reached such levels that the European Parliament's bureau is now considering taking action against a Swedish newspaper which alleged that 17 MEPs who supported d'Ancona's initiative were involved in the drugs mafia.

The attempt to calm passions is being supported by UK Socialist MEP Christine Crawley, who plays a leading liaison role between the 60 Labour Euro MPs and the British government in London.

"I think we now need a period of quiet reflection. This is not the time or place to call for decriminalising cannabis across Europe. I think the political debate is too polarised between member states and I feel we have not reached a stage where the Parliament can provide added value," she explained.

Following the opposition which her report sparked off, the Dutch MEP and her supporters have decided to send it back to the civil liberties committee for further consideration.

D'Ancona is now expected to explore with British colleagues what changes might need to be made to ensure their support when her proposal is next examined by the full Parliament. The backing of the British Labour Group is seen as crucial, both in view of its size and because the UK government, which holds the EU presidency, is currently taking a hardline stand against drugs.

One of the casualties of these discreet attempts to fashion a consensus is likely to be d'Ancona's call for reform of existing United Nations conventions so that it would be possible "to decriminalise the consumption of illegal drugs, to regulate the trade in cannabis and its derivatives and to permit the medical prescribings of methadone and heroin".

Reaction to her initiative next time round will depend not just on its contents, but also on its timing.

Its original presentation coincided with embarrassing drug possession allegations against UK Home Secretary Jack Straw's son. Furthermore, Labour MEPs feared it could undermine the British government's tough anti-drugs policy during the first weeks of its EU presidency.