[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E50]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EUROPEAN UNION'S UNITED STAND AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2004

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the 
European Union for agreeing to toughen antidrug laws and urging actions 
to end drug tourism to the Continent.
  After more than 2 years of negotiations, EU ministers reached a 
landmark agreement on November 27 to toughen antidrug laws and to 
harmonize the Continent's laws to make the bloc more efficient in the 
fight against illegal drugs. The laws cover all types of drug-dealing, 
ranging from local networks to large-scale international operations.
  Under the agreed rules, offering, selling or producing drugs would be 
sanctioned with maximum jail terms of at least 1 to 3 years. In cases 
involving large-scale international drug trafficking, sanctions should 
be at least 5 to 10 years. Member states also agreed on a declaration 
stressing the importance of fighting drug tourism.
  The EU's united stand against drug abuse strengthens global efforts 
to prevent drug abuse and to put away drug pushers and others, 
including terrorists, who financially benefit from destructive drug 
addiction.
  It is disappointing that the EU agreement will allow the so-called 
``coffee shops'' in the Netherlands, where marijuana can be legally 
abused, to remain open. I am, however, encouraged that the Netherlands 
is investigating possible approaches that would end U.S. drug tourism 
to Amsterdam.
  Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner has stated that the 
Netherlands Government is considering rules under which ``coffee 
shops'' would only be allowed to sell drugs to Dutch residents as part 
of its obligation to dissuade tourists from going to Amsterdam for 
drugs. Under his proposal, only Dutch residents with identity cards 
would be allowed to use the cannabis cafes. This move would protect 
Americans visiting Amsterdam from the dangers of engaging in drug 
abuse. Currently, foreign tourists, including Americans, make up about 
40 percent of the ``coffee shop'' sales in Amsterdam, according to the 
London Times.
  I also hope that this agreement will further our international 
efforts to control the trafficking of ecstasy and other dangerous 
synthetic drugs. In recent years, traffickers have set up their illegal 
manufacturing operations in countries like the Netherlands in hopes of 
avoiding tough penalties if they are caught. This agreement should send 
a clear signal to the cartels that Europe and the U.S. will continue to 
work together to break up these international drug rings.
  Furthermore, I am encouraged that the Netherlands has also agreed to 
increase its sanctions for the possession of small quantities of 
marijuana to a year from 1 month. These are important steps that I hope 
will eventually lead to stiffer penalties for all drug abuse.
  It is increasingly clear that every nation must play a role in 
educating the public as to why drug abuse is harmful and in preventing 
drug addiction. As long as one country tolerates the production, sale 
or distribution of any illegal drugs, other nations, communities and 
families are vulnerable to the threats caused by drug abuse that is 
easily transported across borders.
  The EU's commitment to not tolerate drug abuse and drug tourism 
protects not only the families and communities of Europe, but also 
families and communities here and elsewhere in the world.
  Again, I applaud this agreement and look forward to working with 
these and other countries to further strengthen international drug laws 
and to protect children from the dangers of drug abuse and addiction.

                          ____________________