Police gave Introduction to Drug Policies PDF Print E-mail
By Annika Carlson   
Sunday, 13 February 2005
As part of the drug awareness week on campus, Hans Jurgen Bolte from the Polizei Bremen was brought to give the low-down on drugs and legalities in Bremen and the rest of Germany, as well as some quirky anecdotes. [b]Are small quantities of marijuana for private use legal in Bremen? True or False?[/b]
Yes, any quantity of any drug is illegal in Bremen and the whole of Germany. However, the guest lecturer informed students that if they are caught with marijuana or hash is small doses on their person that the police would take it away and write up a 'big report" that would then be sent to an attorney. However, the attorney would then turn around and say that it would be an insignificant amount to press charges. Lesson learned from this? It is 'illegal" but take your own risk with the German law system and see how far it can get you...

[b]The 'Low-Down" on Drugs[/b]
Presented by Hans Jurgen Bolte from the Polizei Bremen.
Translated by Amina özelse
Organized by Amina özelse and Frank Haber

Did you know that...?
-There are 3,000 heroine users in Bremen alone?

-The author of the original Sherlock Holmes was a cocaine user himself and wrote his famous detective stories while addicted?

-Bremen has had a lot of cases where the backlash depression from ecstasy users have jumped out of windows and died?

-Experiments were made in the American military in the 60's where soldiers were given LSD and cocaine to get the 'make love not war" feeling?

-All European countries in World War I gave cocaine to soldiers before they went into battle?

Specializing in organized crime and anti-drug police work, Herr Bolte gave an informative and amusing hour lecture on the various illegal substances found in Germany. After a 20 minute video on the problems associated with drugs Herr Bolte unveiled what was in the 'mystery black suitcase." Students were able to see and even smell several drugs ranging from cocaine to ecstasy to even marijuana and hashish. The information passed around accompanying the drugs ranged from explanations on where the drugs are from to recipes and how to use it.

The most impressive substance presented was an entire 20g block of Hashish. As cocaine was passed around the German police officer startled the audience by stating, 'Cocaine, I can really recommend..." Only after his anecdote about how the coca tea made in Peru helps with altitude sickness did students regain faith in the German system of law.

Of course, the main concern of the university students (and even college masters) was 'What is or is not legal in Germany?" Since there is no specific drug policy at IUB the German law is upheld on campus. College Master Ryan Richards asked right away, 'What are the laws against drugs in Germany." Herr Bolte quickly replied to the eager question with a short simple, 'ALL FORBIDDEN." No translation needed for that, folks. The main facts from the information session are that ALL drugs are illegal in Germany.
 
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