Cannabis Still Germans' Drug of Choice

According to the annual report published by the U.N. International Narcotics Control Board on Wednesday, cannabis remains the drug most consumed in Germany. INCB secretary Herbert Schaepe pointed out that "young people believe the drug is harmlesss and legal, and they're wrong." The study confirms the concerns of teachers in Germany, who have reported an increase in cannabis consumption among 13 to 15 year-olds. Schaepe added that "apathy among teenagers in school may be a consequence of this drug." Police reports also suggest that drug-related crime is part and parcel of everyday life in Germany. On Wednesday, police carried out a nation-wide raid on members of the biker club "Bandidos", arresting more than 20 suspects in nine cities on charges of smuggling large quantities of narcotics from the Netherlands into Germany.