the gentlemen of Today Inside discussed the suggestion to legalize cocainelast night. And there did VI -face Johan Derksen quite a number of strikingstatements. For example, he wondered whether cocaine is really much moreharmful than smoking a cigar. And not all viewers agreed with those comments.
On Friday, Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema stated that the cocaine trade couldbe legalized. A few days later, Justice and Security Minister Dilan Yesilgözquickly dismissed that comment. minister Yesilgöz is convinced that thegovernment can win the fight against drug crime. And the men of _Today Inside_wanted to go back to the minister’s words last night.
Legalization of cocaine discussed at Today Inside
Because Derksen questions the certainty of Yesilgöz. “All my life, and I’mquite old, I’ve seen people around me using plenty of cocaine. They can buy itanywhere and the underworld is taking advantage of that.” After which Derksenargues for the legalization of the white powder. “Everyone is already usingit. Let the medical world make it clear how harmful this is. Is a nose full ofcocaine more harmful than smoking a cigar?”
Presenter Wilfred Genee and VI -guest Ben van der Burg react with surpriseto Derksen’s statements. After which René van der Gijp and Derksen emphasizethat too much alcohol or McDonalds are also bad for a person. “You can’tcompare McDonalds to cocaine. I think this is going quite far,” says Van derBurg.
Johan Derksen: ‘Don’t be afraid of cocaine’
“You shouldn’t be so afraid of cocaine. I grew up in a world where everyoneused cocaine.” Then he tells a story about a musician friend of his. “He hasplayed without his nose once in fifty years.”
According to Derksen, Halsema spoke these words about legalization out ofdesperation. “The underworld in Amsterdam is so active and that causes so muchcrime in such a city.” And according to Van der Gijp, people are stillresponsible for certain choices. “Everyone understands that everything thatsays ‘too’ is bad, right?”
Surprised reactions from VI viewers
Although Derksen and Van der Gijp were on the same wavelength, many react _VI_viewers in the same way as Genee and Van der Burg. Not everyone agrees withDerksen’s words. Incidentally, not everyone appears to be againstlegalization. But comparing cocaine with cigars, many find that crazy.
Again: you can’t compare cocaine with cigars 🤯!!!!> #todayinside> https://t.co/AuTkRwQ9Jr>> — Michael🇳🇱🇺🇦🇪🇺 ᴹⱽ¹🏆🏆 (@mslice bean) October 13,> 2022
You shouldn’t be so afraid of cocaine, says Derksen. I really don’t agree> with him> #todayinside>> — Susan Geraeds (@superzu) October 13,> 2022
Too much cocaine is just as bad as smoking too much, says Derksen. Sure> dude. If you say so, it will be.> #todayinside>> — Jeroen (@Jeroens_tweets) October 13,> 2022
“You shouldn’t be so afraid of cocaine?!” Sorry, using drugs = perpetuating> crime!> #todayinside>> — Marieke1968🇳🇱 (@MariekeH1968) October 13,> 2022
Well, that cocaine discussion isn’t about anything. Doesn’t do the program> any good. What nonsense talk. Think Kieft sees it differently.> #todayinside>> — gert (@perra94) October 13,> 2022
This was the umpteenth time that> #derksen> claimed that virtually everyone uses cocaine.>> Not in my area. So stop with that nonsense.>> By the way, legalization is the right way.> #todayinside>> — Berthold Wennink (@BertholdWennink) October 13,> 2022
You can watch Today Inside via KIJK.