The incidents happened when he was 16 and 17 years old. It led to one summons and one judgement, Velle tells VG.
He was initially caught with 1 gram of cannabis and 0.2 gram of cocaine. Later, in 2018, he and two friends were caught by the police for keeping approximately 100 grams of hashish for their own use. Velle was sentenced to 30 days’ probation.
Velle believes it is right that he was convicted, and that he will take responsibility for his own actions. At the same time, he recalls that he was under 18 years of age, and he wants to tell about the reason why he made choices that he now regrets.
Was depressed
He says that his parents divorced when he was 16, and the following year his father was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease.
– It first manifested itself in me becoming very anxious, which later turned into depression, for which I have gone to treatment, he says.
He describes cannabis smoking as an escape.
– On two occasions I came into contact with the police. Both times because I was caught using drugs. Of course, I should never have done that, and I now see it as the biggest mistake I have made in my life.
He says he has not used narcotics since.
Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) thinks it is tough for Velle to say that he has previously used and has been convicted of possession of cannabis.
– I think it can be difficult to tell about such things, and everyone can make mistakes. So I think it was tough done by him, she says to TV 2.
Roses for the openness
Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug is happy that Velle chooses to be open and believes he can be a role model for other young people in a difficult situation.
Ola Svenneby, leader of Unge Høyre, also pays tribute to Velle for his openness.
– Simen has my full support. I am very grateful to read how open he is, says Svenneby to Nettavisen.
Velle has recently announced that he wants a place on the Frp’s parliamentary list in Oslo.
– If anything, this makes him more qualified to sit in the Storting – a place where we need more people who have life experience they should have been without, but who have taken the consequences of their choices and made up for themselves, says Svenneby further.
He also believes Velle’s story can contribute to less stigmatization of drug use.
