Pubdate: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 Source: Times, The (UK) Copyright: 2000 Times Newspapers Ltd Contact: PO Box 496, London E1 9XN, United Kingdom Fax: +44-(0)171-782 5046 Website: http://www.the-times.co.uk/ Author: Jason Allardyce and Stewart Tendler BLAIR CALLS FOR GLOBAL WAR ON DRUG DEALERS A GLOBAL war on drugs, with minimum set penalties for drug traffickers across the European Union, was called for by Tony Blair last night. The Prime Minister said that, as a parent, he was "terrified" about the threat posed by the deadly substances and has moved to ensure that the issue is raised at an EU summit in Portugal. "Dealers must know that they will face severe penalties wherever they are caught," he said, in his first address to the Scottish Parliament. "I want the war against drugs to be a much higher priority for the European Union." Mr Blair, who met recovering addicts in Glasgow yesterday, is concerned at the fact that sentences vary widely across Europe, undermining the credibility of the EU. Although most European countries have relaxed their penalties for simple possession, they now have similar penalties for trafficking, ranging from a maximum of life imprisonment in Britain to ten to 20 years in Italy and 12 years in The Netherlands. Speaking after briefings with senior police and customs investigators, the Prime Minister emphasised that he also wanted tough action in East Eu ropean and other countries applying to join the EU. He wanted to foster co-operation over drugs with Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Cyprus and Estonia. "Much of the heroin in the UK comes here through applicant countries. That creates problems for them as well as us," he said. "We will be pressing for closer co-operation on drugs and crime with applicant countries to help us all work for drug-free societies in an enlarged European Union." The latest intelligence reports indicate that the opium poppy fields of South-East Asia have had a bumper crop and that Europe will be targeted. The Government believes the East European countries are the weak point for the entry of drugs. Drug investigators are also worried that cocaine and heroin produced by the Colombian cartels will flood European markets. The South American drug barons have conquered the US market for heroin and are known to be looking at European cities. Mr Blair said a cross-border response was vital. "As a parent, like many of you, I am terrified about the threat of drugs," he told MSPs. He pointed out that in Scotland alone nearly 300 young people die from drug misuse each year. Seizures of heroin grew by eight times between 1994 and 1998 and 40 per cent of secondary school pupils admitted using illegal drugs. The first discussions on the possibility of agreeing EU-wide minimum penalties will come later this month when Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, is expected to outline the proposal at talks in Brussels. Antonio Vitorino, the European Commissioner for justice and home affairs, welcomed the initiative. "I am very satisfied with the support of the British Prime Minister to help tackle this problem. We are dealing with cross-border problems which require cross-border solutions." But he emphasised that Brussels would not interfere in the separate issue of the criminality of drug users which, he insisted, was a matter for sovereign governments. HOW EUROPE TRESTS TRAFFICKERS UK.........................up to life Belgium....................10 to 20 yrs Denmark....................up to 10 yrs France.....................up to 30 yrs * Germany....................severe cases 15 yrs Greece.....................5 to 20 yrs Ireland....................up to life The Netherlands............up to 12 yrs Portugal...................up to 15 yrs Sweden.....................2-10 yrs * for gang member or life for organiser - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst