The Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists (BPtK) believes it is necessary to fundamentally reorient drug and addiction policy. Instead of prohibition and criminalization, it should focus on regulation, prevention and informed, competent and responsible use of drugs such as cannabis.
The best protection against drug abuse
Regulation, prevention and competent use of drugs is the best protection against drug abuse and addiction.
“No drug policy can prevent drugs from being tried and used. “That’s why adults and young people should learn to use drugs in such a way that they don’t endanger their health and the risk of abuse and dependence remains low.”
Dr. Dietrich Munz, President of the BPtK
Legalize cannabis, make alcohol more expensive
The BPtK is therefore calling for cannabis to be legalized, alcohol to be taxed significantly more heavily and both to be sold exclusively through state-licensed shops. Advertising for all legal drugs must be strictly prohibited. The distribution to minors must be sanctioned more strongly than before. It is also essential to specifically expand educational offerings as well as professional offerings for the early detection, treatment and rehabilitation of addictions, especially for children and young people. The goal remains the same as that of the previous drug policy: to avoid drug abuse and addiction.
Alcohol is significantly more dangerous than cannabis
Cannabis is not harmless: Contrary to what was previously assumed, it can also be physically addictive and, in particular, carries the risk of developing psychosis. Alcohol is significantly more dangerous than cannabis. Alcohol can be fatal. In Germany, 14,000 people die every year from alcohol-related illnesses and liver damage. Alcohol promotes aggressive and violent behavior.
One in four acts of violence occur under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol significantly increases the risk of developing psychosis. It is considered by many experts to be “the most dangerous of all drugs” due to its easy availability, massive health damage and social costs. Cannabis is considered a moderately harmful drug.
Cannabis restrictions have failed
Alcohol is a legal drug available almost everywhere in Germany and is extremely inexpensive. Almost one in five Germans drinks alcohol in risky quantities. Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug. More than one in four Germans* have used cannabis as an intoxicant at least once in their life.
Every second young adult (46.4%) and every tenth teenager (10.4%) has tried this drug. The use of cannabis has been increasing for decades - despite prohibition and penalties. The German prohibition policy, which was intended to restrict the use of cannabis, has therefore failed.
BPtK calls for additional regulations
The BPtK therefore calls for cannabis to be legalized and additionally regulated:
- Set the minimum age for the purchase of all legal drugs at 18 years
- Ban on the sale of cannabis in food
- Tax cannabis based on its strongest psychoactive substance (THC content) and quantity, limiting THC content to a maximum of 15 percent
- Increase alcohol tax to the European average and set a minimum price for alcohol
- Dispensing all legal drugs exclusively through state-licensed stores
- Stricter sanctions for the supply of legal drugs to minors
- Strict advertising ban for all legal drugs
- Addiction awareness and anti-stigma campaigns
- Mandatory drug education programs in schools from the sixth grade onwards
- Screening for better early detection of drug abuse
- Addiction counseling as a mandatory service offered by municipalities
- Enable outpatient psychotherapy for addictions without restrictions
- Better finance rehabilitation facilities for the treatment of addictions
- Create special treatment options for addicted children and young people
- Expand therapy and care research for addictions
Source: Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists
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