If I had to guess, the gangs would just come up with a stronger product than what's now 'average', or whatever the government would be selling.

There are already many 'brands' that the government would have to compete with.

Personally I say legalise drugs

- We would be able to ensure that they were pure and not tained
- We could tax them so make money rather than gangs
- A large percentage of many gangs income comes from drugs - if that is removed it reduces the incentive to become a gang member
- Some of the "I will try it as its illegal / naughtlt" factor will be taken away so possibly reducing consumption
and
- we have tried banning them for decades now, spent billons and made not one iota of difference so lets try something new

- we have tried banning them for decades now, spent billons and made not one iota of difference so lets try something new

http://gawker.com/5805928/the-underground-website-where-you-can-buy-any-drug-imaginable

An interesting read.

I still refer you back to my issues about the British population. We are not the Dutch.

I’d agree with your observations. Most countries have a problem of some kind or another, but we do have this competitive drinking culture. We will never get the “café culture” we see on the continent because our society just doesn’t get it. As you have said, its bad enough when it’s just booze. Add in other drugs to the mix, and the problems will escalate, as will the burden on the NHS.

I’d agree with your observations. Most countries have a problem of some kind or another, but we do have this competitive drinking culture. We will never get the “café culture” we see on the continent because our society just doesn’t get it. As you have said, its bad enough when it’s just booze. Add in other drugs to the mix, and the problems will escalate, as will the burden on the NHS.

The Dutch are going to be closing the coffee shops to non-members, the shops will have a limited membership of 1500 to boot. This is apparently a move in response to the problems caused by foreign tourists.
The plans are being introduced in the south, moving north as time goes on. So if you're harbouring the notion that you'd like to be sat in Amsterdam watching the world go by smoking a spliff, jump to it.

Since most of the problem users are foreigners then this makes sense for the Dutch to implement.

'Problem users'? What sort of problems are they creating? I'm guessing the problems will be related to alcohol and other drugs rather than what is sold in the actual coffee shops.