Netherlands blamed as haven for Ecstasy producers

By K. Basrie

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands (JP): Certain countries in Europe are being blamed for the proliferation of Ecstasy, a "designer drug" that has seduced millions of youths around the globe.

One of the world's largest manufacturers of Ecstasy is believed to be the Netherlands, where the drug is reportedly made in the backs of trucks while they're moving on the road.

In four years, Ecstasy has become the most popular drug in Indonesia, especially among affluent young people. Minister of Health Sujudi and other Indonesian officials have also accused Holland of being the main source of the Ecstasy that is smuggled into the country.

In the past year, several Dutch nationals have been caught in possession of Ecstasy after arriving at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport from the Netherlands. Similar busts have also been made in neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

In Singapore, 48-year-old Ton Alling, a driving instructor from The Hague, was caught while in transit at Changi airport last June. He was on his way to Indonesia when he was caught with more than 2,200 Ecstasy pills concealed in cigarette packs in his jacket.

Under Singaporean law, Alling faces 30 years in jail and 15 cane strokes if he is found guilty of drug trafficking. Trafficking of more established drugs like heroin, cannabis and morphine is punishable by death.

Neighbors

Ecstasy has also become a problem for some of the Netherlands' neighbors, such as France.

"The French were very upset after learning that the Netherlands has done nothing significant to stop the production and consumption of Ecstasy in Holland," a diplomat here recently told The Jakarta Post.

France has asked its citizens not to visit the Netherlands until Dutch authorities take stronger measures against Ecstasy producers, traffickers and consumers, said the envoy, who asked not to be named.

But Ecstasy is not only manufactured in the Netherlands. Production of the drug is reportedly up in neighboring countries as well.

"To run such a business, one needs just a small amount of money to buy the ingredients and laboratory equipment. Its like a small-scale home industry," said a regular visitor to discotheques where Ecstasy is visibly sold and used.

What have European countries, especially the Netherlands, done to deal with the problem?

"The Dutch government, for example, has not technically legalized Ecstasy but its is quite tolerant with regards to offenders," said Danny, a tour guide in Amsterdam.

"Thus, the laws mean almost nothing," he added.

Europol's drug unit said that 93 kinds of Ecstasy pills were illegally being produced, consumed and distributed in Europe in 1995.

"Unlike most illegal drugs, synthetic and designer drugs are, to a large extent, produced in the member states themselves," explained Europol in its November 1995 report, which was made available to the Post.

These two factors -- an increase in usage and inter-EU production -- have led to large-scale trafficking of those substances between European countries. According to the report, the majority of the pills have their own trademarks and logos.

During a recent trip to the Netherlands, the Post was offered Ecstasy numerous times by men "working" near several popular discotheques and pubs. In Amsterdam's red-light district of Zeedijk, whispers of "Ecstasy, Ecstasy Sir" were frequently heard.

An Ecstasy pill in the Netherlands costs between five and 10 guilders (US$3 and $6), compared to an average price of Rp 50,000 ($21.59) in Jakarta.

"But normally a dealer will be offered the pills at a very low price, for instance, 60 guilders for 150 pills," said Danny.

Legality

Is Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, legal in Holland?

"No, it's illegal here but the authorities are quite tolerable of violators," said Danny. "They will only arrest the big fish, that's why you can easily see many small fish playing freely here."

During her September visit to Indonesia, Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports E. Borst-Eilers denied Indonesian accusations that Holland was a manufacturing source of Ecstasy.

Borst-Eilers said it is strictly forbidden to possess or produce Ecstasy in the Netherlands.

"It's an illegal drug. It is also illegal to process the substances that you need to make the pills," she said.

However, she acknowledged that several laboratories manufacturing Ecstasy still exist in the Netherlands and other European countries, even though the Dutch government recently closed down 30.

According to Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Reitze Brouwer, producing and distributing Ecstasy is punishable by up to a maximum of 12 years in jail. Possession, he said, is punishable be a maximum term of four years.

The ambassador has tried on several occasions to convince the Indonesian press that the Dutch government is serious in its fight against Ecstasy. But is it?

Recent developments would indicate that it is.

In early November, Dutch police arrested 21 people here for their alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking syndicate. They confiscated a large quantity of heroin, marijuana, Ecstasy pills, cash, five guns and four stolen cars. Two executives from a local private detective agency were reportedly involved. The preliminary police investigation revealed that the syndicate members were distributing the Ecstasy to Indonesia and Britain.

According to data at Europol, there are currently more than 100 kinds of Ecstasy pills being illegally produced, distributed and sold in Europe.

Legalization

Although many European countries have taken significant steps to combat the Ecstasy menace, there still exists a strong demand to legalize "soft drugs."

Emma Bonino, the European commissioner for consumer policy, has proposed legalizing "soft drugs" throughout the European Union. Her argument, reported in The International Herald Tribune on Oct. 10, was attacked by Joseph A. Califano, a former U.S. secretary of health, education and welfare.

Califano, now president of the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse, said Bonino's view "perpetuates old myths and ignores uncomfortable realities."

Legalization would be a disaster for European children and teenagers, said Califano.

A retired Indonesian police general, Awaluddin Djamin, worries that Ecstasy producers in Europe will extend their activities to Indonesia.

"This is the issue that should most concern the Indonesian authorities. To operate a mobile laboratory would not require much capital or skilled labor," Awaluddin, who was visiting here, told the Post.