I think the legalisation of softdrugs in Holland is something VERY good.

In the past, many people were killed, prostitutes were not only sexually abused but also in order to get soft drugs from, many crimes were committed, especially in Amsterdam. It's been stated that the legalisation of softdrugs in Holland has prevented many crimes. And the chances of having huge hard-drugs going on, is smaller, because people stick to softdrugs: its safer and cheaper, so why risk for the hard-drugs?

I'm not saying the situation in Amsterdam is perfect nowadays. They are even discussing the Red Light District now. And still crimes are committed, but that's in every big city and im afraid this human nature wont change. All i know that the legalisation of softdrugs has turned out to be quite fine for Holland. I think that's partly because we are a small country so we can keep it in control.

Neither I'm saying softdrugs are good. I don't smoke or use any kind of drugs, im no alcoholic. I just love my glass of wine for dinner and my baileys in my coffee, thats it. But i think by forbidding something, you make it more attractive for young people. If you force people into something, they will stronger try to reject this, tho if you wouldnt force them, they would not reject so strongly.

is it difficult to ask a turkish man/boy to quit smoking?? cos my boyfriend does smoke, 3 or 4 cigarettes per day, but i hate passive smoking very much, i just want him to quit, it is hard though~ at least smoke as less as he can

I realy aprreciate this aspect of Europen/Western people too much: You really do know how to hide "reality" using your languages cleverly. Here is one of the best examples of this:

"soft-drug"

Marvellous! I loved the adjective "soft" there. "softdrug" has also reminded me other uses of the adjectives "soft" and "hard".

For example: "soft-porno"

But it seems to me that drug is drug just like porno is porno. Beyond this may merely be the footnote!

I nevertheless want to thank you for sharing your opinion with us.

I think that you made an intelligent reflection, cyrano! In swedish we have many expressions to pretend that some things just not are what they really are. Mostly those expressions sound academic and comes from politicians that want to hide what they are really doing.
Don´t you have that in Turkey?

Have you actually ever watched porn? Then you wouldn't say this because there is DEFINITELY a HUGE difference between soft porn and hard porn! The last one really just makes me sick.

The same is for soft drugs and for hard drugs. You are not gonna say that someone who's on a diet has anorexia. You use a term that defines in what state something is.

And the thing you say about using words to hide things, that is not about being European or Western. This is something politicians do. And not just politician in Europe. They do it in Turkey too and in any place of the world.

Most people think that Holland is such a free place that everyone is drug addicted and is doing prostitution. There is a wrong belief that buying heroin is like buying a cigarette there. I think the Dutch government is not so stupid to let them free. Hard drugs like cocaine and morphine and heroin cause physical addiction and death in the end.
It's cannabis which is a soft drug and it doesn't cause physical addiction or violance. In the Netherlands cannabis use is legal under limitations.
And as a note the drug usage among youth is the least in the Netherlands among europe, and usually the ones that are most interested in cannabis and come to Holland for it are the tourists

Yes!! You are so right Meltem !!! When im on holiday and people find out im from Holland, the first things thy ask are if i live in Amsterdam and if i carry any drugs with me and if so, if they can see !!!

I work with people who use drugs, 'soft' and 'hard'! I think the thing to consider is that what works in one country doesn't necessarily work in another country, becuase it depends on the cultural 'mentality' of the people. For example. England has just changed the laws for how long people can drink alcohol. There is this crazy idea that we can be like a kind of 'French' cafe society. This just aint gonna happen. It is absolutely terrible in all the big cities in england, with people drinking themselves into oblivion every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. The violence, the injuries the number of police who sit outside the pubs and clubs when they close are amazing. You can see young girls lying in the street in pools of vomit and urine. It is disgusting.
The same with drugs. It is no longer a criminal offence to be in possession of cannabis, providing it is a small amount and for 'personal use' - This has done nothing to prevent people using heroin crack cocaine and the new drug from America called crystal meth!

Many people don't realise also that cannabis use can cause 'phychosis' in some vulnerable people. I work with 3 men who are now phychotic from cannabis use. They all hear voices, their lives are ruined and they are completely mad, doomed forever to take prescription medications just so they can be 10% 'normal'. And this through cannabis. Young people who smoke cannabis 12/13 years old, are then prey to the drug dealers who will happily give them free heroin and crack to get them addicted and then they are doomed to alife of crime to pay for it.

i work with a guy who spends £1,000 per day on crack cocaine. He is responsible him along for up to £50,000 PER WEEK of crime - yes those figures are correct! That is just one person! I could go on all night about this!

Legalising some drugs may work in some countries, but there is no evidence that the same thing would work in, for example England - my own view is that it would not!