The Dutch government's main policy goal is drug prevention. Research, monitoring, and registration are important foundations for the public health aspects of Dutch policy. Important policy instruments include the development of regulations directed toward reductions in the risks posed by house parties and efforts to educate users and nonusers about the drug. The justice elements of Dutch ecstasy policy include the outlawing of ecstasy and related drugs in 1988, the enactment of new criminal legislation, and the enhancement of national and cooperative international drug law enforcement efforts. The Public Prosecutor reviewed the criminal investigation and prosecution policy in 1996 and ordained that all hard drugs, predominantly heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy, had to be criminally investigated and prosecuted along the same lines. Some public health and criminal justice elements of the national policy reinforce each others, but other elements conflict with one another. Policy efforts are directed toward the continuing process of maintaining a balance between these approaches and the control of conflicting interests. Tables and 45 references (Author abstract modified)