Rotterdam to close down 27 coffeeshops

Puffin13 · Post by **Puffin13** » Thu 31st May 2007 12:39 pm

Rotterdam to close down 27 coffeeshops

31 May 2007

ROTTERDAM - 27 coffeeshops in Rotterdam must stop selling soft drugs because of their proximity to secondary schools. The measure will come into effect on 1 January 2009.

The closing down of these venues is part of the city's new coffeeshop policy presented by Rotterdam mayor Ivo Opstelten on Thursday. There are a total of 62 coffeeshops in the city. The mayor hopes a new policy will help cut down on growing soft-drug use among the youth and nuisance on the streets because of the dealing and use of these drugs.

From 2009 Rotterdam coffeeshops must be at least 250 meters walking distance from secondary schools. Coffeeshops near primary schools that offer special education will also have to shut down. Those near regular primary schools will not be affected by the new measure since soft drug use at primary schools is extremely rare.

In addition to the closing down of coffeeshops near schools, a stricter enforcement policy will come into effect to ensure that coffeeshops are abiding by regulations. An information campaign will also be launched at schools to warn of the dangers of drug use and more stringent conditions will be in force for applying for a permit to operate a coffeeshop.

Source: http://www.expatica.com/actual/article. ... y_id=40375

sh@dy · Post by **sh@dy** » Thu 31st May 2007 01:15 pm

this sounds great, since we all know, only people who live near a coffeeshop are using soft-drugs!

cheese · Post by **cheese** » Thu 31st May 2007 03:29 pm

i really hope they dont do this in amsterdam...

i feel like everyday something changes and the weed scene in amsterdam is getting so much more tight..

ahhhh i wish they would just leave it alone.. i want to be able to do what i do in amsterdam for the rest of my life... and it seems like its gonna be alot different soon...

i hope the only changes made in holland are positive changes...