Characteristics and social representation of ecstasy in Europe - Irefrea

• A third objective of the Dutch drug policy is a reduction in the availability of drugsby combatting illegal trafficking.Within this context of a harm minimisation policy, the composition of the tablets hasbecome an element of great importance as MDMA and other designer substances maybe found to be adulterated or replaced by toxic substances which are even moredangerous, above all in combination with others. With the objective of reducing thedangers of adulteration, an analysis is being made on the composition of the tablets,entitled “Drugs Information and Monitoring System” (DIMS) which has been inprogress since 1992. When the tablets are very adulterated, information campaigns arelaunched to avoid the risks inherent in use, “its professionals distribute pamphlets atparties, provide information on the “grapevine”, analyse tablets and give first aid whenthere are problems” (Van Laar, 1996).The Dutch policy has always been criticised a great deal by other Europeancountries, even more so now that the spread of ecstasy is growing in the same way as inother countries. Coffee Shops crisis is being experienced from the problems of publicorder which are being generated and it is feared that Holland is the producer country ofthe synthetic drugs being used in the remainder of Europe (Kamer, 1997).In spite of these criticisms, the spread of ecstasy use and other designer drugsthrough other countries and the necessity of doing something has led to some preventiveaction being inspired by the so-called Dutch model of harm minimisation. Recently, theItalian Emilia Romagna Region was also influenced by the Dutch model in formulatingits policy on these drugs.FRANCEThere is a general social consensus that drugs are always dangerous, irrespective of thecircumstances in which they are used. Hence, the preventive strategies in France are aimedat demand reduction, designed to act on the factors which may encourage drug use. Theopinion of the French authorities on a harm minimisation policy in the area of drugdependency is summarised in the following sentence by the Head of the Narcotics Branch:“They are coming round to saying, shoot up but don’t give us any trouble. Or in otherwords, shoot up cleanly. This is a society which is going under!” (Berreta, et al, 1996).In this respect, the French response to the ecstasy phenomenon has been repressivefrom the very beginning. The first rave parties date from 1991 and there were problemswith the authorities from the start because they were immediately linked to syntheticdrug use.In 1996, the subject of the raves was raised in the National Assembly and a verystrict repressive policy was put into force. In the words of the Minister of Home Affairs.“Precise instructions have been given in respect of ecstasy and rave parties, so that therepressive system is put into operation, without compassion, in search of those whoorganise these parties, because a large number of our children are in danger”.195