During the Franco era Spain had some of the harshest drug laws in Europe but in 1983 the Socialist government changed them to the most lenient. A spurt in heroin, cocaine and other drugs use and trafficking, with accompanying problems of crime and social disruption. still plagues the country.
Spain is a major trans-shipment point for drugs. Parents presented a drug report which shamed the government into enacting and strengthening the drug laws.

Reference
1. Wall St Journal. January 22 1990