Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-04-08-Speech-2-128"
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"en.20030408.3.2-128"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I must say that I am absolutely amazed by what I have just heard Mr Pirker say, and I will explain why. As far as I am concerned, I first wish to congratulate our rapporteur, Mrs Buitenweg, on her report, which, contrary to what has just been said, is well balanced. I have witnessed the fact that this was not easy, given the particularly animated debates which the issue aroused when it was considered by our committee.
As Mrs Buitenweg pointed out, it really is necessary to take stock of the effectiveness of the existing conventions and also the appropriateness of reclassifying narcotic drugs. By way of an example, I would point out that Article 3 of the Single Convention classifies over 100 substances into four tables, the first of which groups opium, heroin, cocaine, cannabis and methadone in the same category. Is this really logical? I would put this question to Mr Pirker.
It must also be said that the Buitenweg report in no way seeks to make short work of the issue of decriminalising drugs, even soft drugs, but addresses solely and exclusively two issues: the effectiveness and relevance of the current system and the need to reclassify substances. Nevertheless, reclassification of substances on no account means proposing the non-prescription sale of cannabis or its further legalisation. I defy Mr Pirker to demonstrate to the House that this is one of the proposals in Mrs Buitenweg’s report.
I would equally point out, that two months ago, this very institution adopted the Malliori report, which specifically said that drugs should be classified on a scientific basis, according to their health risks. Mrs Buitenweg, moreover, expressly referred to this document and I fully support her here today. Are we going to continue to refer to conventions, the first of which dates back to 1961 and the most recent to1988? We feel that the time has come to evaluate these instruments.
I repeat that the report is well balanced, that it makes ample and meticulous reference to the risks of drug addiction and that on no account does it encourage the use of narcotic drugs. On this point, I again defy Mr Pirker and some of his fellow members in the PPE-DE Group to find any paragraphs containing the slightest encouragement for drug addicts. Under no circumstances does this report seek to minimise the risks associated with drugs and the harm they cause and, in my opinion, there are no grounds for specifically upsetting the balance in Mrs Buitenweg’s report which it was difficult but right to obtain.
I therefore hope that we can achieve the broadest support possible for this report, in order to make real headway in our common desire to repair the damage caused by drug addiction."@en1
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