Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos’ administration approves the Mayor of Bogota’s proposal to supply illicit drugs by prescription, reported local media Friday.
Following a meeting with the president, Bogota’s colorful mayor, Gustavo Petro, confirmed Friday that the national government authorized his proposal to supply illicit drugs to addicts, if they have a medical prescription and meet a strict set of criteria.
“The Constitution states…drugs are prohibited, except when treatment is prescribed by a doctor…As there is this exception, we dared to publicly present the proposal, but we could not implement it without a permit from the national government,” claimed Petro.
Petro floated the idea of drug consumption centers in Bogota back in early August. “A large part of the violence and crime that still persists in the city derives from the small-scale consumption and trafficking of drugs … We should allow some centers for addicts that provide treatment … where the addict can consume under relative control, without doing damage to society,” said the mayor.
Days later Santos said, “this leap into the dark seems irresponsible to me because one could cause a lot of damage to society, youth and the country.”
Colombia decriminalized the carrying of small doses of drugs last year.