A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO ALCOHOL AND DRUGS - A SURVEY OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AND GAMBLING AMONG MEMBERS OF THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT

In the fall of 1994 a survey was conducted on the use of alcohol and d rugs and on gambling among members of the Dutch parliament. The survey indicated that almost two-thirds of the representatives sampled suppo rted legalization of marijuana. A smaller majority (57%) was in favor of reducing the number of coffee shops selling marijuana. At least a q uarter of the members of parliament had used marijuana themselves at o ne time or other. Alcohol consumption could be said to be ''excessive' ' or ''very excessive'' for nearly 10% of the members of parliament. I n general, the nature and extent of the parliamentarians' substance us e was comparable to that in the Dutch general population.