Drugs: the flat-rate fine of 200 euros for small consumers generalized

The measure was tested in a few cities.

Here it is generalized from this Tuesday to all of France.

From now on, any drug user controlled with a small amount of drugs and who has not committed another offense is liable to pay 200 euros.

The measure, which should be an alternative to a lawsuit, should make it possible to fight against drug trafficking by discouraging buyers.

"In a few months, a few years, there will be, I hope, fewer users," explains Philippe Astruc, Rennes prosecutor, at the microphone of Europe 1.

"Empower users"

In the Breton prefecture, in fact, more than 170 flat-rate fines have been imposed since mid-June, mainly on cannabis users.

A third have already paid, for others it is in progress.

“The idea is to empower users,” continues Philippe Astruc.

"I think we can draw a parallel with what has been done in terms of road safety. When we installed automatic speed cameras, there was a change in behavior because the certainty of the sanction was much stronger. Much the same will happen. "

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For the magistrate, this fine will allow "a gain in public health", but also to fight against drug networks in general.

"If there is less demand, there will automatically be less supply and therefore traffic."

In the meantime, this fixed fine is not applicable to everyone but only to major offenders, who have their papers, controlled with a small quantity of drugs.

They must also accept the sanction, registered in their criminal record.

For all the others, the penalty incurred remains one year in prison, even if it is very rarely pronounced.