Former UNODC director Pino Arlacchi blasted proposals for cannabis legalization coming from the Italian and German governments in an article in Corriere della Sera dec. 5.
Responding to a proposal made by ministers for Youth Policies Fabiana Dadone (M5S) and Labor Andrea Orlando (Democratic Party), Arlacchi accused them of creating “a false emergency.” There is no drug emergency in Italy, Arlacchi said, showing figures on casualties for drug, criminality and mafia for Italy which are the lowest among western countries, even including Japan.
Arlacchi said he is not a priori contrary to some measures for damage control or controlled distribution, “but only if framed in a strong and clear message of opposition to the use of drugs and a firm refusal of drug traffic – i.e. Sales among privates – of any kind of narcotic substance.”
