Press Release

(Washington, DC)—John Walters, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, returned today from a week-long trip to Afghanistan, Belgium, and The Netherlands. The Drug Czar addressed a variety of drug-related issues relevant not only to the United States, but to Europe and Southeast Asia, as well.

While in Belgium, Director Walters addressed NATO's North Atlantic Council to urge the 26 member nations and 10 non-member nations participating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to play a larger role in efforts to shore up institutional stability in Afghanistan. Director Walters emphasized that Afghanistan's narcotics trade threatens its long-term stability and security in Europe and around the world, and poses a threat to U.S. policy and strategic interests in the country and the region.

"While eradication and interdiction of drug producers and traffickers is primarily a law enforcement role for Afghan forces, the International Security Assistance Force can play a valuable support role centered on security and logistics," Director Walters said. "The level of support from the ISAF has a direct bearing on the degree of success of Afghanistan's counter-drug efforts."

Following his remarks to the NATO body, Director Walters traveled to The Hague and met with Dutch officials to discuss recent success disrupting the global Ecstasy market. Five years ago the Dutch government released a five-year Ecstasy strategy, supported with additional resources, against the production, trade, and consumption of synthetic drugs—particularly Ecstasy (MDMA).

At its peak in 2001, total domestic U.S. seizures of Ecstasy reached 11 million tablets. In the past two years, however, total U.S. seizures have declined to less than three million tablets, and seizures of MDMA tablets shipped from abroad have dropped from approximately seven million in 2001 to less than 1.5 million tablets in 2003 and 2004. Concurrently, Ecstasy use among youth in the United States has decreased by two-thirds since 2002.

Director Walters said, "Thanks to the leadership of Justice Minister Donner and other Dutch officials, law enforcement authorities in The Netherlands have expanded Customs efforts, increased their capacity to dismantle laboratories, and intensified controls on precursor chemicals. They have successfully prosecuted key cases, effectively dismantling the leadership structure of major Ecstasy production and trafficking organizations and disrupting the global Ecstasy market."

Director Walters also reiterated the United States' commitment to the bilateral statement he and the Dutch Health Minister signed last July to expand Dutch-U.S. cooperation in the areas of demand reduction and scientific research. He further commended Health Minster Hoogervorst and Justice Minister Donner for working to reduce marijuana drug tourism to The Netherlands and to educate young people about the health consequences of cannabis use.

"Restricting tourists' access to cannabis 'coffee shops' sends a clear message to the world that The Netherlands is increasingly serious about protecting individuals from the harms of marijuana," Director Walters said. "Guided by existing and forthcoming research about the acute health risks of marijuana, the Dutch will continue to be important partners in the effort to educate individuals about the dangers of this drug."