XTC store opens in Amsterdam (almost)
24 October 2024
"Would you like to buy some ecstasy?" Not a question you'd expect in a regular shop, but at a new pop-up in Amsterdam, that's exactly what you'll hear. Don't worry – no real drug is for sale. This mock store is a public experiment designed to simulate how regulated drug sales could work in practice.
Launched by the municipality last week, the store simulates three different places: a pharmacy, a smart shop, and a vending machine in a club. Visitors can "buy" ecstasy – actually just sugar pills —and provide feedback on the sales process. The results will contribute to a research paper for policymakers.
The Netherlands is by far the world's biggest ecstasy producer, spilling the globe with over a billion pills each year. It is also the number one user in Europe, with around 11% of Dutch adults having tried it at least once. Despite its widespread use and relative safety, it's still classified as a hard drug alongside highly harmful substances like cocaine and heroin.
 | Nathan Domon The debate over drug regulation has been a live one in the country for years. Problems caused by the illegal drug trade – violence, youth involvement in crime, money laundering, and illegal waste dumping – make headlines almost every week. Despite strict policies, efforts to combat the drug trade have little impact: supply and demand remain steady, and street prices haven't changed in years. |
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