Right-wing leader Erna Solberg on FpU leader Simen Velle’s drug conviction: – A serious case

Simen Velle, leader of Fremskrittspartiets Ungdom, spoke in VG today about his use of illegal drugs as a teenager, mainly cannabis.

Twice he was caught by the police and that led to one summons – and a sentence from 2018, when he was 17 years old. Together with two friends, he was sentenced for keeping approx. 100 grams of hashish.

VG has asked the country’s party leaders some questions about the case where Velle has come forward with his drug past, which he had not shared with his party.

– How do you view the Simen Velle case?

– First of all, I think it is good that Simen Velle got out of this. There are many Norwegian young people who have bad experiences with drugs. In his case, the volume is so large that it makes it a serious matter. At the same time, I am very much a supporter of the fact that when you have taken your punishment, you have taken your punishment and deserve a second chance. There are many who have done stupid things in their youth, says Høyre leader Erna Solberg to VG in an e-mail.

– If you had learned that the leader of your youth party had been caught with 100 grams of hashish and convicted, could that person continue as leader and hold key positions of trust in the parent party?

– We expect all our shop stewards to follow Norwegian law, regardless of what they think politically about drugs. If a sitting youth party leader was caught with 100 grams of hashish and convicted, he would probably have to resign. It does not mean that someone who has done something stupid in the past cannot become youth party leader.

– Have you ever smoked hashish or other illegal drugs?

– As a matter of principle, I have never answered that, she says.

– Do you think that Norway should consider legalizing hashish and cannabis?

– No, the Conservative Party is primarily concerned with bringing about a drug reform. We want drug addicts who are caught with small user doses to receive help and follow-up, rather than punishment. Because we see that the drug policy we lead and have led in Norway has given us a frightening number of overdose deaths. We will continue to punish anyone who sells and distributes drugs.

The Labor Party leader Jonas Gahr Støre was asked the same questions but has no opportunity to comment, according to a press contact at the Prime Minister’s office.

– Drugs are dangerous

KrF leader Olaug Bollestad tells VG that she thinks it is good that Simen Velle is honest about this.

– It is hard for him to be so open, and I think it is especially important that he is clear that he has done wrong. The use and possession of drugs is illegal and the scope of this case is large. Unfortunately, drug use among young people is far too widespread. It is a frightening development, but I am glad that the consequences Velle suffered caused him to change course.

– If you had learned that the leader of your youth party had been caught with 100 grams of hashish and been convicted, the person in question could have continued as leader and held key positions of trust in the parent party.

– This is a hypothetical question. I am concerned that it should be allowed to make mistakes and be forgiven for it when you have served your punishment, she says.

Bollestad says she has never tried illegal drugs.

– And will never try either.

– Do you think Norway should consider legalizing hashish and cannabis?

– No. Drugs are dangerous and illegal. It should still be, she says.

– Needs drug reform

Liberal leader Guri Melby tells VG that their youth party is an independent organization and elects its own leader.

– Breaking the law is never a good idea, but the fact that people make a mistake and lie flat and apologize cannot disqualify them from all political positions for the rest of their lives, she says.

– I hope this case can be a wake-up call for the FRP and that they will also join us in giving people with drug problems help and not punishment. It is high time for a drug reform, she says.

She says she has never tried hashish or other illegal drugs.

– But I don’t want to judge others who have done it, says Melby.

– Should Norway consider legalization?

– Today there is far too easy access to illegal drugs, especially for young people. Control of the drug market is left to criminal gangs. It should be regulated in a wiser and safer way, as the Social Democratic government in Germany has recently done.

VG has asked the leaders of all the major parties about this matter, but several have not yet had time to comment on it.