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Sweden Tough Drug Laws

In: Social Issues

Submitted By gleasoncm1
Words 984
Pages 4
Crystal Gleason
Professor Kilguss
Comparative Government
April 18, 2014

Sweden: Not so Sweet on Drugs

Located in Northern Europe, Sweden lies on the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula sharing boundaries with neighboring Denmark, Finland and Norway. Officially known as the kingdom of Sweden, by size it is the third largest country in the European Union with a population of 9.6 million. Sweden follows a parliamentary democratic form of government where the people elect representatives into parliament and they in turn elect a prime minister to lead the group. This Nordic country is known for its neutrality in times of conflict, and avoids making allies in times of peace. Sweden is an export-oriented country that’s economy is reliant on trade of a variety of goods with Europe and the rest of the world.
The land of IKEA, meatballs, vodka and Vikings is often looked to as a role model due to its successful welfare policies and strong economy. Sweden takes care of its people with a cradle to the grave system, making sure all of its citizens have access to healthcare, higher education, and retirement benefits. The United States could benefit from looking at the successes of Sweden’s no tolerance approach to drugs.
A recent news article from The Local titled, “Sweden’s Tough Drug Laws Leaves addicts behind” highlights Sweden’s zero tolerance approach towards drug use and its impact that it has had on the country. Sweden has some of the toughest drug laws in Europe, and consequently the lowest drug consumption rates in the world. Their drug policy puts emphasis on prevention providing funding for extensive drug awareness programs through preschool and up. Strict Police enforcement is a key part of the program and Swedish civilians are aware that these do not law is not taken lightly. Even if suspected of being high, a person can be detained by authorities and drug tested, upon failure the user is criminally charged and will have to stand trial. Swedish youth have learned that the risk is not worth the reward, in a study done by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addiction (EMCDDA), shows that 9% of school age children have tried marijuana, notably lower than nearby France at 39%, the Czech Republic at 42 %, and Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands at around 25 %.
The tough drug policy is supported across political parties and a majority of the population remains in favor of the laws according to a survey by the Swedish Drug Users Union in 2008. The survey also cited that one out of two Swedes thought that anyone caught with possession should serve jail time and 6 out of ten Swedes wanted a “total war” on cannabis, essentially arresting and imprisoning all dealers and users. “"Drugs have always been seen as something not Swedish, like something foreign," commented Börje Olsson, a sociology professor at Stockholm University. "They are not part of the Swedish morals. People think this has nothing to do with us'."
Here in the US instead of zero tolerance, we are becoming all the more tolerant as drug laws become eased. Recent pew polls show that 54 percent of Americans think marijuana should be legal, a sharp increase from the mere 12 percent of supporters back in 1969. Marijuana use has gained popularity amongst our nations youth, in 2013, 7.0 percent of 8th graders, 18.0 percent of 10th graders, and 22.7 percent of 12th graders used marijuana in the past month. The increase in users is reflective on the attitudes and perceptions that marijuana use has become acceptable in our society.
While few politicians have been bold enough to come forward as pro marijuana, they’re seems to be little opposition against the popular opinion either. The attorney general Eric Holder has called for reduced sentences for low-level drug crimes in a bid to lower federal prison population. He has also given the go ahead for Colorado and Washington to legalize marijuana within their jurisdictions. In total sixteen states have already passed legislation decriminalizing marijuana. Medical marijuana licenses are being handed out liberally and grow shops are popping up on street corners in towns across the United States.
While there is no one size fits all model when it comes to governing a country it is important to look at our neighbors and try and emulate what works and avoid what doesn’t. While it is to early to tell what consequences or successes may come if we continue down the path towards public acceptance of drug use, it is undoubtedly a risky experiment. Maybe we haven’t totally lost the war on drugs, perhaps decriminalization will work out and pot will lose its appeal to teenagers and government regulation will take out the dealers. Or maybe our nations leaders will come to their senses and this reefer madness will reverse course. We could then look to the Swedish model and have our nations children grow-up in a society that still believes in, “Just Say No.”

Bibliography
AFP. Swedens Tough Drug Laws leave addicts behind The Local. April 10, 2014. http://www.thelocal.se/20140410/swedens-strict-anti-drug-laws (accessed April 10, 2014).

Motel, Seth. 6 facts about Marijuana Pew Research Center. April 7, 2014. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/04/07/6-facts-about-marijuana/ (accessed April 14, 2014).

NIDA. Drug Abuse Drug facts High School Youth Trends. march 2014. ww.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends (accessed April 15, 2014).

--------------------------------------------
[ 1 ]. Seth Motel, 6 facts about Marijuana Pew Research Center, April 7, 2014, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/04/07/6-facts-about-marijuana/ (accessed April 14, 2014).
[ 2 ]. NIDA, Drug Abuse Drug facts High School Youth Trends, March 2014, ww.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends (accessed April 15, 2014).
[ 3 ]. Motel, 6 facts about Marijuana Pew Research Center, (accessed April 14, 2014).

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