Drug contracts have been widely used as a reaction when young people are taken with drugs. The contract involves taking urine samples under supervision and having conversations with an intoxication consultant or health nurse. If you say yes, you avoid criminal proceedings. The rice behind the mirror was to register the use of illegal drugs on the record. The drug contracts were stopped by Oslo Municipality on 1 May this year. The letter Oslo Municipality sent out almost two weeks before the contracts were stopped states the following: «The reason for the scheme being terminated is that it has been clarified that such contracts require legal authority. The municipality does not have such a legal basis, and can therefore not enter into such contracts ». Intoxication contract Intoxication contract is an alternative to punishment for young people who are taken for use or possession of small amounts of drugs. The offer often applies to young people who are 18 years or younger. By agreeing to an intoxication contract, you get a waiver of prosecution. This means that the police do not open criminal cases. The drug contract is an agreement between you and the police, often also a health nurse, outreach or child welfare service. The drug contract often contains requirements for more than just urine samples. Examples can be conversations with a health nurse, and school attendance. Violation of the contract is voluntary, but then a fine and a dot on the record must be expected. Source: RUSinfo No young people At St. Hanshaugen health station in Oslo, they now experience that very few young people come to talk to them about drug use and drug challenges. In the time since the contracts were stopped, there have actually been none, says health nurse Camilla Rørtveit. – A young person who is offered a conversation for something that they do not see as a problem, often says no. They have other things to spend their free time on, says Rørtveit. She explains that the drug contracts made it possible to implement measures early. – We could make small changes that might prevent them from developing a more extensive use or substance abuse. We find this very regrettable and worrying, says Rørtveit. She says the employees at the health station have seen a change in attitudes among young people recently. The impression is that more people than before are trying drugs. – We experience that young people take illegal drugs more easily. That they do not experience that it is as dangerous. That they also do not think it is illegal anymore. And then maybe the limit is pushed a bit by trying it out. Politicians voted down the drug reform – now the Supreme Court eases the drug rules – Goes down across the country Anne Karin Swang, who is the leader of the National Group of Health Nurses, says the use of drug contracts is declining throughout the country. Ann Karin Swang is the leader of the National Group of Health Nurses. Photo: Norwegian Nurses’ Association – I think the long-term consequence may be that more people become addicted to drugs, Swang believes. – But does it not lower the threshold for coming that there is no coercion? – It is not the case that it occurs to a young person that «now I will talk about my fun drug use with a health nurse». This was a gateway to start a conversation. Kjerkol: – Different practices At the national meeting last spring, the Labor Party decided not to decriminalize drugs, and with that vote no to the Solberg government’s drug reform. When asked by the Minister of Health Ingvild Kjerkol (Labor Party) whether she has also asked the municipalities to terminate drug contracts, she answers that “the Minister of Health has not done so”. Minister of Health Ingvild Kjerkol (Labor Party). Photo: Torstein Bøe / Torstein Bøe – It is an opportunity the police also have when giving a waiver of prosecution. Some municipalities use it. Others do not. It is a very different practice, says Kjerkol. She says she has confidence that the professionals are able to handle health care and support for the young people who ask for it in a good way. – But it also emphasizes the need to take better action with preventive measures, outreach activities and good low-threshold services for young people that make it safe and natural to ask health health nurses for help. The current government has announced its own drug reform, but it will not be possible to implement it until 2024. If it is adopted. – We want to present a report to the Storting next year where we look at whether we can broaden more effective methods to meet better with prevention and follow-up work with harmful drug use, says Kjerkol. Oslo Municipality: – Not legal Rina Mariann Hansen (Labor Party) is City Councilor for work, integration and social services in Oslo Photo: Live Wold / news In Oslo Municipality, City Councilor for Work, Integration and Social Services Rina Mariann Hansen (Labor Party) believes that the drug contracts have had for several years, does not help. – Why did you stop the drug contracts so abruptly? – We stop it because we see that Oslo municipality has had a practice that is not legal. In other words, we do not have the legal authority to carry out this type of drug contract. Voluntary drug contracts, says Hansen. – Now the health nurses say that the young people who have these contracts do not come anymore when it is voluntary. Isn’t that scary? – An important thing in the change and mastery work, both for young people and adults, is that you own the process you are on your way out of. In its response to the drug reform committee, the Norwegian Directorate of Health has said that there is no professional evidence that this leads to an end to unfortunate and harmful drug use. And that is the most important thing for us, not that you show up in an hour, but that you get change and improvement in the life of the individual youth.
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Oslo stops drug contracts with young people – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
