• Bern considers legalizing cocaine
• Shift in global drug policy
• Challenges in implementation

Since 2021, the United States state of Oregon has permitted the possession of small quantities of cocaine. Similarly, several European countries, including Spain, Italy, and Portugal, have eliminated prison terms for drug possession, including cocaine.

Legislators in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, may soon permit the sale of small quantities of cocaine for recreational purposes.

The city’s governing council is contemplating a pilot program proposal that differs from an ongoing trial permitting the sale of cannabis in pharmacies.

Although the concept has garnered support from the parliament of Bern, it remains subject to opposition from the city government and would necessitate a modification of national legislation.

Co-sponsor of the proposal and a member of the Bern council for the Alternative Left Party, Eva Chen, stated, “The war on narcotics has failed, and we must consider alternative approaches.

“Control and legalization are more effective than repression alone.”
“Potential legalization is still a considerable distance off, but we should consider alternative strategies.” A scientifically supervised pilot scheme trial is being advocated for.

As legislators and experts deduce that traditional approaches are failing, there is a shift in global drug policy.

Since 2021, the U.S. state of Oregon has permitted the possession of small quantities of cocaine.

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Challenges and Considerations in Bern’s Cocaine Policy Shift

Numerous European nations, including Portugal, Spain, and Italy, have abolished prison terms for drug possession, including cocaine.

However, no country has yet implemented the proposal that is currently being deliberated in Bern.

Complete prohibitions have been criticized by Swiss politicians and specialists, prompting the city to reconsider its position on the substance.

Switzerland, which, according to the World Population Review, is the fifth wealthiest country in Europe and the eighth most prosperous by GDP, has one of the continent’s highest cocaine use rates.

Basel, Zurich, and Geneva are all ranked within the upper ten cities in Europe in terms of illicit drug and metabolite concentrations detected in wastewater.

Cocaine has also become more affordable, according to Addiction Switzerland, as prices have decreased by half in the past five years.

The deputy director of the non-governmental organization, Frank Zobel, stated, “At this time, Switzerland is brimming with cocaine of the highest quality and cheapest prices we’ve ever seen.

A single dose of cocaine costs 10 francs, about the price of a drink.

Life-threatening effects of cocaine have been warned by the government of Bern, “for both first-time and long-term users.” Death can result from both an overdose and an individual’s intolerance to even minute quantities.

Ms. Chen stated that it was premature to speculate on the specifics of a pilot program’s development, such as the distribution channels or sourcing methods for the substance.

Parliament would have to amend the law prohibiting the drug’s recreational use for a trial to proceed.

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