Drug liberal ideas are gaining ground in Europe. But Sweden is seen as a symbol for the resistance against drug liberalism. Consequently the position of the Swedish government on drug issues is followed with great interest by both sides of the debate.

The lines of contention in the European narcotics debate are drawn between a liberal and a restrictive view of drug policy. Those who advocate the liberal position maintain that it is impossible to banish narcotics from society and that the most important thing is to reduce harm, for example by suppyling drug abusers with clean needles and hygenic injection rooms. And the drug liberal line has been making progress the last few years.

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