A conflicted drug policy – the normalisation of the drug problem in Finland

Abstract

Drug use and its attendant problems in Finland are still far removed from the top levels in Europe. Nonetheless, a considerably more conflicted drug political situation than the earlier prevailing consensus around a restrictive policy has quickly emerged. In less than a decade, drugs have become a recognised social fact and problem that must be addressed, though probably never entirely eradicated.The article tests the thesis of the normalisation of drug use that is often brought up in the international debate. The British debate can be summarized in two main points: the significant increase of supply and demand (‘normal’ as “widespread”) as well as the increased social and cultural acceptance of drug use (‘normal’ as “accepted”). The article shows that there can be no talk of normalisation in Finland in terms of these two issues. However, in many ways drug problems have become a commonplace in the country and have thus forced the authorities, political decision-makers and other actors to re-evaluate thoroughly the drug issue. In this sense there are grounds for the normalisation of drugs (‘normal’ as “a social fact”).The article reviews the reports, official documents and new statutes drawn up on drugs during the past decade. In addition, drug political reforms that have caused controversy are also covered. It is thus concluded that drug policy has retreated from a unified policy based on a penal conception towards a more varied and conflicted policy model.