Make all drugs legal, says artists’ party

23 February 2006

AMSTERDAM – If all drugs were legal, then there would be no more shootings in broad daylight in the streets of Amsterdam, according to artist and candidate for the upcoming municipal elections Peter Klashorst.

“The liquidations taking place among the criminal class are the consequence of the Dutch drugs policy,” said the painter on Wednesday, presenting the manifesto of the artists’ party, Huisje Boompje Beestje.

“Current drugs policy creates our own Mafia and prostitution,” said Klashorst, who wants to see all drugs legalized. “People must take responsibility for themselves. Only people who are unhappy or who have problems take drugs, and these people should be helped.”

He said all drugs should be available for recreational use. “I have friends who own a jet fighter but they still have to call a kid on a scooter to get their gear.” A policy of legal drugs would free up the police to spend more time on patrol.

The core value of Huisje Boompje Beestje is: freedom to do what you want, while taking personal responsibility. “We are not ‘left’, not ‘right’ but creative,” said Klashorst.

Despite the party’s name, it is aimed not at aimed at stay-at-homes with a pet and a garden full of geraniums. “The name is symbolic,” said Klashorst. “Huis stands for Amsterdam, the world in a nutshell. Boomen stands for earth, water and air. And the ‘Beest’ is the animal in us, or the humanity in the animal.”

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2006]

Subject: Dutch news