Luxembourg's Parliament is to debate the decriminalisation of cannabis, the health minister said while outlining a new drug prevention programme.

On Monday, Lydia Mutsch explained that drug use in Luxembourg has steadily increased from 2009 to 2014.

Among new measures proposed to curb its rise, the minister said that a broad debate in Parliament would take place to consider decriminalising the consumption of cannabis.

Smoking hashish has repeatedly raised safety questions but there remains a large number of voices in favour of relaxing the law on its consumption.

The minister said she hoped to raise awareness among young people in future of the risks surrounding cannabis consumption as well as the use of other, legal drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco.

Among other proposals revealed on Monday, in Esch-sur-Alzette a drug consumption centre dubbed “Contact Esch” is set to open in future.

The project, which costs around 2.1 million euros and is financed by the state, will provide a place where drug users can take use clean syringes and take drugs in safety, while social workers can make contact with these vulnerable people.

Meanwhile, the minister revealed a new initiative called Duck, which will enable consumers of synthetic drugs at major events and festivals to have pills checked for purity.

The service would not punish people who use it but would provide a consultation for people taking illegal drugs, who would otherwise put their lives at risk because they cannot confirm what the pills contain.

Translated from an article by Teddy Jaans

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