22 Aug 2009

Mexico decriminalises some drug use

5:33 pm on 22 August 2009

The Mexican government has decriminalised the use of small amounts of drugs so it can assign more resources to the war against major traffickers.

Since President Felipe Calderon launched his crackdown on drug cartels three years ago, almost 100-thousand people have been detained on minor possession charges.

Most of them were later released without charge, the BBC reports.

Under the law change, those found with small amounts of drugs, including heroin and methamphetamine, will instead be encouraged to seek drug treatment.

It is hoped this change will free up police time to tackle the big traffickers.

Mexican prosecutors say the move does not amount to legalisation. Instead, they say it is designed to prevent corrupt police from seeking bribes from small-time drug users.

Mexico's drug war has claimed more than 11,000 lives in the last three years.