Poland’s lower house of parliament (Sejm) has voted to amend legislation effectively decriminalising the possession of some forms of illegal drugs for personal use only - at the same time as cracking down more heavily on drug dealers.

The motion was supported by 258 MPs and opposed by 159, primarily from the opposition Law and Justice party.

The legislation allows prosecutors to drop charges against someone found in possession of small amounts of drugs.

Justice minister Krzysztof Kwiatkowski underlined however that the new law does not legalise the possession of drugs
 
“The possession of any kind of drugs is illegal and is subject to punishment under the criminal code,” he said.

The new legislation also obligates prosecutors to collect information on any addiction those detained may have and also extends the possibilities of suspended sentences to allow for treatment.

The new law also increases penalties for drug dealing.

Minister Kwiatkowski pointed out that the amended legislation is directed primarily against drug dealers and aims to help addicts.

“We have increased the criminal responsibility for those who sell death, in order to provide for more effective prosecution. Police should concentrate on the pursuit of drug dealers and not drug addicts. We should focus on providing treatment for such people.”
 
The debate in parliament on the amendment was stormy, with Law and Justice accusing the more liberally monded Civic Platform-led government of legalizing drugs by the back door and buying votes from the younger electorate.

The legislation now goes to the Senate for debate and is to come into effect six months after the President signs the draft into law. (ab/pg)