With a population of 80,996,685 people, Germany is the seventeenth largest country by population, making the United States seem much larger in population comparison. “As Europe’s largest economy and second most populous nation, Germany is a key member of the continent’s economic, political, and defense organizations” (Compare the United States to Germany, 2015). After a brief comparison, it is evident that in 2012, health spending accounted for 11.3% of Germany’s GDP, which is still much lower than that of the United States of America. Overall, the United States typically exceeds Germany in most general economic categories such as exports, per capita income, purchasing power parity, and gross national income. On the contrary though, Germany has a lower unemployment rate compared to America (Germany and United States Compared, n.d.). If we consider drug policy, German policies are considered among the strictest in Europe when referring to large quantities of drugs. Smaller scale possession or use usually results in no criminal action, however (Drug Laws Around the World, 2015). This is already seemingly different from the United States’ drug policy.
In 2012, a new
definition of ‘high-risk drug use’ was adopted that focuses on recurrent drug
use that puts a person at a high risk of harm (EMCDDA, n.d.). Unfortunately, most drug use statistics that
would display what the drug culture is like in Germany haven’t been updated
since 2012, according to any information online that I could find. The 2012
data displays the prevalence of drug use in Germany as decreasing. However,
cannabis is still definitely the most used drug, especially by young adults,
primarily men more than women. It is also the most frequently seized illicit
drug in Germany, whereas cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamine seizures decreased
in 2012 in comparison to years prior. Germany’s drug culture, in a way,
reminded me of the United States’, in that cannabis was prevailing and users
were often times young and primarily male. Additionally, alcohol use was very
common among the younger class of Germany. “The proportion of 12-17 year old
adolescents who have drunk alcohol within the 30 days prior to the study being
administered was 42%” (Drug War Facts, n.d.). This is expected, considering the
relaxed drinking laws present in Germany. As young as 14, you are permitted to
drink in public with an adult present and consenting. Age 16 allows for the
consumption of beer and wine, and 18 includes liquor (Drinking Age in Germany,
n.d.). While the consumption may be legal, it is still a crime to sell alcohol
to a minor.
“The
German Federal Narcotics Act defines schedules of narcotic substances, the
framework and procedure for legal turnover and prescription of narcotics,
criminal and administrative liability; and alternative measures for
drug-addicted offenders” (EMCDDA, n.d.). In Germany, the unauthorized
possession of drugs is considered a criminal offense, however there are many
outlets to avoid prosecution if small amounts of narcotics for personal use are
involved (n.d.). When evaluating these exceptions, the amount, type,
involvement of others and personal history are all taken into consideration. Most
of Germany has defined values for small amounts of cannabis, and some have even
extended these values to include drugs as serious as heroin, cocaine,
amphetamine, and ecstasy (n.d.). More
so, Germany is a leading advocate for treatment instead of punishment. The National Strategy on Drug and Addiction
Policy was adopted in 2012 and aims to help individuals reduce their
consumption and abuse of illegal narcotics in an effort to reduce harm (n.d.).
Germany has also permitted the introduction of supervised drug rooms, much like
that of the Netherlands. The purpose of these rooms is to provide a safer
environment for drug consumption that keeps addicts off of the streets. This
fosters safety not only in the drug user society, but in society as a whole due
to the fact that others in the community aren’t being exposed to illicit drug
activity against their will.
In
comparison to drug policies in the United States, German policies tend to be a little more lenient. The previously
stated policies outline what is tolerated in Germany, and obviously allow for
more than the United States, such as minor personal possession and drug rooms. It
is also evident that Germany takes more of a treatment approach, instead of
punishment. While serious drugs present in large amount are very much still
considered a crime in Germany, small amounts for personal use are often
allowed. In the United States however, as we fight the “war on drugs”, we crowd
jails with “criminals” that get caught with half of a joint of marijuana. Perhaps
in the future we will see American drug policies and laws shifting to take a
stance like that of Germany.
Drugs tend to have
a negative effect on society, regardless of the country in discussion. In
Germany, common effects of illicit drug use include HIV, AIDS, and
unfortunately, death. Although a clear downward trend is evident, according to
the Robert-Koch-Institute, 4% of those newly diagnosed with HIV in 2012 were
people who inject drugs (n.d.). Drug induced death is documented by two
different German systems: the Police Register of the Federal Office of Criminal
Investigation and the General Mortality Register of the Federal Statistical
Office (n.d.). Recent data indicates that in 2012 a total of 944 people died
with the cause being illicit drug use. The average age of the deceased was 37,
with males accounting for the majority. “Opioids alone or in combination with
other substances were involved in 616 drug-induced death cases. Of these cases,
heroin alone was linked to 177 cases, while in 250 drug-induced deaths heroin
in combination with other substances had been reported” (n.d.). While these
rates seem significant, they actually have declined from years in the past. It
is not new information that drugs have a negative connotation and impact on
society. However, it is interesting to see how a country other than the US
approaches the matter of regulating illicit drugs.
References
Compare the United States to Germany.
(2015). Retrieved from http://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/US/DE
Drinking age in Germany | DrinkingMap.com.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.drinkingmap.com/drinking-age-in-germany.html
Drug Laws Around the World – Drug Laws and
Policies in Different Countries. (2015). Retrieved
from http://www.drugabuse.net/drug-policy/drug-laws-around-the-world/
"Economy: Germany and United States Compared",
NationMaster. Retrieved from http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Germany/United-States/Economy
EMCDDA | Situation summary for Germany —
up to date summary of the national drug situation
in Germany (Country overviews). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/country-overviews/de
Germany Drug Control Data and Policies |
Drug War Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Germany#Problem
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