Sejm passes zero-tolerance drug law leaving discretion up to the courts

Sejm decided yesterday that the possession of even small quantities of drugs will be illegal. Until now the bill allowed for possession of small quantities of personal use drugs, but deputies decided it was creating a loophole for dealers. Under the new bill, anyone found guilty of drug possession could face up to three years imprisonment. In the case of a misdemeanor, "curtailment of freedom" or one year imprisonment could be applied. Freedom Union (UW) wanted addicts who possess small quantities of drugs for personal use not to be prosecuted, but the proposal was rejected. "We want possession to be illegal, but we don't make criminals out of addicts," said Jerzy Wierchowicz from UW. But Solidarity Election Action (AWS) is sure that this will not happen. "It is within the courts' jurisdiction to decide whether a person should be freed or not," said AWS spokesman Zbigniew Wawak. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 4)