Editing Drug policy of the Netherlands (section)

== Results of the drug policy ==
Criminal investigations into more serious forms of organized crime mainly involve drugs (72%). Most of these are investigations of hard drug crime (specifically cocaine and synthetic drugs) although the number of soft drug cases is rising and currently accounts for 69% of criminal investigations.<ref name="trim">[http://www.trimbos.nl/default22208.html?back=1 Trimbos Institute: Cannabis use stable, but treatment demand rising; National Drug Monitor Annual Report 2006 (19-06-2007) ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804041832/http://www.trimbos.nl/default22208.html?back=1 |date=4 August 2009 }}</ref>

In a study of the levels of [[cannabis]], [[cocaine]], [[MDMA]], methamphetamine and other [[amphetamine]] in wastewater from 42 major cities in Europe [[Amsterdam]] came near the top of the list in every category but methamphetamine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/28/world/europe/wastewater-drug-tests/index.html?hpt=hp_t3|title=Tests on sewage water exposes cities on cocaine, cannabis, other drugs|first1=Ben|last1=Brumfield|date=28 May 2014|publisher=CNN|access-date=30 May 2014|archive-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105427/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/28/world/europe/wastewater-drug-tests/index.html?hpt=hp_t3|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Netherlands tolerates the sale of soft drugs in 'coffee shops'. A coffee shop is an establishment where cannabis may be sold subject to certain strict conditions, but no alcoholic drinks may be sold or consumed. The Dutch government does not prosecute members of the public for possession or use of small quantities of soft drugs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.government.nl/topics/drugs|title=The Netherlands tolerates the sale of soft drugs in 'coffee shops'|date=28 November 2013|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705110355/https://www.government.nl/topics/drugs|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the province of [[North Brabant]] in the south of the Netherlands, organized crime organizations form the main producer of [[MDMA]], [[amphetamine]] and [[cannabis]] in Europe. Together with the proximity of the ports of [[Antwerp]] and especially [[Rotterdam]] where [[heroin]] and [[cocaine]] enter the European continent, this causes these substances to be readily available for a relative low price. Therefore, there is a large quantity drugs of a relative high purity/quality available. This means that users will not have to rely on more polluted substances with greater health risks. Together with an approach that focuses on easily accessible health care, harm reduction and prevention, this causes the medical condition of the Dutch addicts to be less severe than that of many other countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trimbos.nl/~/media/Themas/7_Feiten_Cijfers_Beleid/AF1196%2013-772%20NDM%20jaarbericht%202012%20digitaal.ashx |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105043115/http://www.trimbos.nl/~/media/Themas/7_Feiten_Cijfers_Beleid/AF1196%2013-772%20NDM%20jaarbericht%202012%20digitaal.ashx |archive-date=2015-01-05 }}</ref>