illicit drug use in the eu: legislative approaches - EMCDDA - Europa

EMCDDA thematic papersIllicit drug use in the EU: legislative approachesAnnex 2Table 2: Hypotheses on practice in relation to drug possession (for personal use, small quantities withoutaggravating circumstances)CountryBelgium (lawsand 2003directive)DenmarkGermanyGreeceSpainProbable sanction for possession of drugs for personal useCannabisOther drugsRegistration only.Police penalty, 1st offence, EUR 75–125; 2nd (repeatoffence, same year) EUR 130–250; 3rd (2nd repeatoffence, same year) EUR 250–500 and 8 days’ to 1 month’simprisonment.First offence up to 10 g: police fine; over 10 g: fine.Second offence: 0–10 g: EUR 40 fine; 10–15 g: EUR 67fine; 50–100 g: EUR 135 fine.No (pro)active police investigation; discontinuance ofproceedings (6–30 g).Conversion of penalty to fines (at court); suspension ordiscontinuance of proceedings.Offence (for use in a public place) punished by a fine of EUR301–30 000 or suspension of driving licence.France Probable police arrest (probable police custody, 24 h,renewable for 24 h).Ireland Fines imposed for the first two offences: 1st offence, EUR63, 2nd offence, EUR 127. Imprisonment possible from 3rdoffence: up to 1 year’s imprisonment and/or EUR 317 fine.Italy1st offence: discontinuance of proceedings; subsequentoffences: suspension of driving licence for up to 3 monthsand compulsory therapeutic opinion.The police draw up a standard record of the facts.Discontinuation of criminal proceedings and possible transferof information to specialist aid and treatment unit. Publicaction halted on payment of a certain sum.n.a.Discontinuance of proceedings or discontinuance ofproceedings with fine or referral to specialised treatment unit.n.a.n.a.Police arrest (police custody 24 h, renewable for 24 h).Usually, penalty for use/possession.Penalty varies according to first or repeat offence. Usually aprobation order is made and the penalty suspended. Mostcommon penalties include fines or community service.1st offence: discontinuance of proceedings; subsequentoffences: suspension of driving licence for up to 4 monthsand compulsory therapeutic opinion.Luxembourg Offence punishable by a fine of EUR 250–2 500 Offence punishable by a fine of EUR 250–2 500 and/or 8days’ to 6 months’ imprisonment.NetherlandsAustriaPortugalSwedenFinlandUnitedKingdomPolice do not investigate possession for personal use, whichis ‘tolerated’ in coffee shops subject to certain conditions.1st offence: police investigation and probation (2 years).Subsequent offence: compulsory therapeutic opinion.Up to average individual quantity for 10 days: policeinvestigation and referral to administrative authority.Suspension of sanction with probation; fine or othersanctions for repeat offences.Police investigation and prosecution. Suspension ofproceedings (rare) for minor offences.Police investigation and prosecution, suspension ofproceedings rare.Police caution.Less than 0.2 g: police discontinue proceedings and seizethe drug. 15–300 g: custodial sentence, 6–18 months. Over300 g: custodial sentence, 18 months to 4 years.Compulsory health authority opinion on need for treatment.Users generally agree to treatment (50 %) or probation (2years); no treatment: 50 %.Up to average individual quantity for 10 days: suspension ofsanction and referral for treatment.Minor offence (up to 0.05 % heroin): fine or imprisonment upto 6 months. Suspension of penalty and treatment possible.Custodial sentence probable, possible suspension iftreatment.Fine or community service; referral for treatment if necessary.Source: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) 2002, EMCDDA Insights No 5, Office for Official Publicationsof the European Communities, Luxembourg, 2002; and ELDD country profiles section: Prosecution and judicial practice – Scenario 1: possessionof heroin for personal use by an adult offender.27