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UN Drug Czar visits Amsterdam Coffee shop

UN Drug Czar visits Amsterdam Coffee shop

Costa at Coffeeshop Dampkring - UN Drug Czar visits Amsterdam Coffeeshop

Costa (centre) at coffeeshop Dampkring. photo: freeamsterdam.nl

J. S. VAN DER STAD

Last month executive director of UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), Antonio Marie Costa visited Amsterdam. This visit is believed to have been scheduled to give Costa a better view of the Dutch drug policies and their effectiveness.

Mr. Costa, accompanied by representatives of the Dutch Justice department, the Ministry of Health and Mr. van Binsbergen of the ... of Amsterdam visited the famous Red Light District and popular Amsterdam Coffeeshop Dampkring (that received some notability for being featured in the blockbuster movie Oceans Twelve with Brad Pitt and George Clooney).

Coffeeshop owner Paul Wilhelm was there to explain the ins and outs of a running a Coffeeshop in Amsterdam. “Strangely enough they seemed a lot more immature about the whole situation then I expected” said Paul.


The ultimate feeling of freedom

Costa’s first questions was literally; “So.. I bet that movie made you a lot of money huh?”
 
“Sure the attention is great - for what business would it not be? However the chance to a positive change was the main reason to do it”. Pauls explains. “These people have a lot of influence and possibly can change the look on ‘the evil’ cannabis and Coffeeshops for some people. Steve Soderbergh contacted us for the movie because, as he said, being in our shop gave him “the ultimate feeling of freedom”.
 
When Costa asks if they sell alcohol Paul responds: No, unfortunately we were forced to make a choice last year. Costa; “because is caused problems?”
No, Paul replied. “Actually the opposite. There was a good balance, For most visitors enough is enough. There are people that would rather drink a beer than smoke and vice versa.
When asked “So how much money do you make?” Paul with a smile replied “If you show me yours, I’ll show you mine”

A learning curve as well for the Coffeeshops

The UN Under-Secretary was explained how the government created a separation between softand hard drugs by allowing so called Coffeeshops in the early 1970’s. This eradicated the local dealers but also lead to a ‘boom’ of small Coffeeshops.
 
Even though there has been a learning curve for the government as well as for the Coffeeshops, there have been clear rules and regulations on the existing and running of such establishments.
 
When Costa asks whether they sell cigarettes, Paul proudly answers; “No, they are very unhealthy and more addictive than cannabis.” In what may be considered a Pavlovian response, Costa immediately denies this. Paul explains that out of personal experience and his expertise as a Coffeeshop owner, it is far easier to quit smoking cannabis for a day, or even a week, then having no cigarettes for a day.
 
The politition then asks the Coffeeshop owner, “Are you a criminal”?

Are you a criminal?

Paul replies hesitantly. “Well… yes. But I don’t feel like one. cannabis is semi legal.. (“tolerated” Mr. van Binsbergen corrects) and I’m running a business pretty much like any other horeca establishment. I have a social life, a family, three healthy kids, of which one is going to university this year. I don’t feel like a criminal at all.” Paul concludes.