The former head of the Netherlands Police Union (NPB) says both hard and soft drugs should be fully legalised.
Speaking on the programme Goedemorgen Nederland on Monday morning, Hans van Duijn said “the ban on drugs that we have is completely ineffective and costs 100 euro per person per year to enforce. We’re just making work for criminals.”
Rejecting arguments that legalisation would lead to more drug abuse and dependency, he added “If you don’t legalise, you’re not being honest and you’re just taking the public for a ride.”
He sees legalisation as the only way to get the drug business out of the hands of organised crime. Drugs would then be subject to taxation, there would a minimum age limit as there is for alcohol and more information and education about drugs in schools.
Hans van Duijn chaired the main police trade union until his retirement in May 2008, since when he has been a vocal proponent of legalisation. He runs the website LessCrime which argues for legalisation and monitors the policies of the various Dutch political parties. He also acts in an advisory capacity for the international organisation Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, which was set up by former US police officers.
