Suzan Ben Ezra
S. Ben-Ezra. Israel Authority for Prevention of Violence, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Israel
Background: The Israel Authority for Prevention of Violence, Alcohol and Drug Abuse is charged with combating violence, alcohol and drug abuse in Israel. Policy changes regarding the use of cannabis around the world raise an extensive public debate in the last years and calls for changes in policy and law for cannabis users.. During 2017, a task-team from relevant government ministries and bodies was set up to examine the enforcement policy towards cannabis users. At the background of discussions stands data from the Israeli national epidemiological survey of 2016, accordingly over 32.5% of young adults reported using cannabis at least once in the past month (in 2009 – 7%), and about 24.7% between the age 26 to 40(in 2009- 5.5%).
Methods: The national cannabis policy focuses on youth, young adults and adults based on four pillars: legislation and law enforcement, information dissemination, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. In accordance with the Israeli law, the possession and use of drugs for personal consumption constitutes a criminal offense punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment In the matter of cannabis, this have changed and a combined model was decided upon, balancing between criminal and administrative responses.
Results: Following the new law, in 5 months, few thousands fines were handed over for first offense. The national program include intensive multi-faceted community action which included education, prevention and treatment.
Conclusion: The new law does not change the status of the use of cannabis as an offence, and it is still forbidden in Israel. It changes the way of enforcement for first times offenders that are normative people. The national work must continue and focus on leadership, awareness campaigns, treatment services response, community action, and law enforcement. For further improvement, additional changes should be made, such as the implementation of evidence-based programs like Motivational Interviewing (MI), Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), and implementing a national assessment and treatment for different level of cannabis use.