Security Minister Patricia Bullrich says she is against the idea of decriminalising drug consumption in Argentina, pointing to perceived drug policy failures in countries like the Netherlands.
Controversially, the Security Minister described the Netherlands as a “narco-state”.
Dutch officials “today are saying that Holland (sic) is a narco-state”, Bullrich said, speaking Sunday evening during a broadcast of Debo decir.
“They (in the Netherlands) are in crisis. They are the biggest exporter of synthetic drugs in Europe”.
“Decriminalisation has failed everywhere it has been implemented”, Bullrich claimed.
A bill to reform parts of the Criminal Code, currently before Congress, includes measures to loosen restrictions on drug consumption in Argentina.
Bullrich said the Netherlands has seen “increased health problems, (vehicle) crashes, cases of violence, problems with deaths” as a result of lax drug consumption laws.
SUPPORTS ABORTION DECRIMINALISATION
She also touched on a number of other issues, including abortion, which Congress will look to decriminalise later this year.
“As one gets older, it becomes harder. When one has grandchildren, it becomes harder. But rationally, I’m in favour” of decriminalising abortion, she said.
Bullrich is a controversial figure in Argentina. One of only a handful of professional politicians in President Mauricio Macri’s Cabinet, she is seen by many as a fearless warrior in the fight against organised crime. However, her opponents say her actions and perceived tendency to support police and security forces unconditionally have encouraged the return of heavy-handedness.
-TIMES
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