Pubdate: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2002 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n230/a09.html DRUG POLICY PARTLY TO BLAME FOR HARM The Clarion-Ledger's article ("Lead us not into temptation: Cops, ethics and the law," Feb. 10) on the Jackson Police Department's ethics training was a refreshingly honest look at a problem that plagues police departments throughout the country. Jackson police officers are by no means the only ones tempted by drug money. This form of corruption stretches from coast to coast and reaches the highest levels. In 1999, the Los Angeles Police Department Rampart scandal involved anti-drug officers selling drugs and framing gang members. Last year, the former commander of U.S. anti-drug operations in Colombia was found guilty of laundering the profits of his wife's heroin smuggling operation. Entire countries have been destabilized due to the corrupting influence of organized crime groups that profit from the illegal drug trade. Like alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, the drug war is causing tremendous societal harm, while failing miserably at preventing use. European countries are embracing harm reduction, a public health alternative based on the principle that both drug use and prohibition have the potential to cause harm. Examples of harm reduction include needle exchange programs to stop the spread of HIV, marijuana regulation aimed at separating the hard and soft drug markets, and drug treatment alternatives that do not require incarceration. Ironically, fear of appearing "soft on crime" compels U.S. politicians to support a failed drug war that ultimately subsidizes organized crime. Robert Sharpe, M.P.A. Program Officer Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth