' Friday, December 10,1993 The Battalion Page 7 Europeans show more tolerance for drug users, suffer less crime ate tush Dr, llborn) The Associated Press AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — While debate opens up in the ■ United States over legalizing B drugs, the trend in Europe is to ward increased tolerance for the user — and tougher penalties for the trafficker. U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders set off a storm by suggest ing America's streets might be safer if drug use were legalized. In Amsterdam, you don't have to go far to find evidence that ap pears to support her argument. In the red light district, for in stance, elderly tourists mingle freely with junkies and let their 1 pocketbooks dangle freely. In a city I known as one of Europe's major I drug bazaars, purse-snatchings are ■ rare, and drug-related crimes of vi- B olence are almost unheard-of. "I think the tolerance of both I hard and soft drugs has reduced 1 crime in our cities/' Amsterdam ipolice spokesman Klaas Wilting I said Thursday. But permissiveness toward ■ drug use may be less significant ithan other policies — such as ■ strict gun control — in explaining plow levels of crime and violence. "I think the tolerance of both hard and soft drugs has reduced crime in our cities." -Klaas Wilting, Amsterdam police spokesman And Wilting and other Euro pean officials oppose outright legalization. "If we do that, the government will lose its grip on the (illegal drugs) market, and we can't man age it anymore," said Justice Min istry spokeswoman Jannie Pols. Police have focused their war on drugs on traffickers associated with organized crime, even as tolerance toward possession and use makes drugs cheap and easy to get. The Dutch government elimi nated penalties for drug possession in 1976, setting a policy that posses sion of up to a gram of heroin (.035 ounces) or 30 grams (1.05 ounces) of marijuana or hashish was not a punishable offense. Even though heroin is readily available, the Dutch addiction rate is one of Europe's lowest, with about 15,000 hard drug addicts and 600,000 marijuana and hashish users in this nation of 15 million. The heroin substitute methadone is readily available at clinics to city residents. A needle exchange program has given the Dutch one of Europe's lowest AIDS rates among intravenous drug users. The crack cocaine that has con tributed to urban violence in the United States is almost nonexistent. But earlier this year, other Eu ropean nations reacted angrily to the personal view of Dutch drugs czar Robert Samsom that they should all legalize soft drugs like marijuana and hashish. Officials worry more about subversion of their economies by drug money and the increasing social costs of addiction than they do about street crime. The Dutch rejection of legal ization in favor of official toler ance reflects government at tempts to placate conservatives at home and other European na tions that fear an inundation of drugs from the Netherlands. $00^ so. b loV ' . .-cos for only ffi 50 vvv nC p U s uy]yVl'ATB- ^ 73 ‘ lna ' s ? nd graduation for you old-timers. Drink specials of pesky relatives head <>n , , 1L Tn. y cre not w imps about the holidays either. If you’ve had your December. Zd New f A *' '!!” <*** W "*-Sun. for *. cmire momh of say you won’t want to miss it! ^ y have to tel1 y ou what we ’ ve g ot ln store f° r New Year’s? Let’s are fill s just Think Locally, Party Globally! Call 76-globe for more info. 1^ /Icehouse RD LANE YOUR HOLIDAYS COST LESS AT WINN-DIXIE 24-Pk./12-Oz. Cans Suitcases of Coors, Bud or Miller Lite Assorted Kegs Coors, Bud or Miller Lite Iff ^ diet 12-Pk./12-Oz. Cans All Varieties Coke or Diet Coke 2-Liter Bottle All Varieties Coke or Diet Coke Ea. 20-Ounce Package Super Size Ruffles Dozen Bakery Fresh Glazed Donuts 2$5»2 28 WINN @ DIXIE America's Supermarket Prices good Fri., Dec. 10 thru Tues., Dec. 14, 1993 in your Bryan & College Station Winn-Dixie stores. None sold to dealers. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Copyright 1993 Winn-Dixie Texas, Inc.