Pubdate: Sat, 06 Apr 2002 Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia) Copyright: 2002 News Limited Contact: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/113 Author: Jim Davis DROUGHT FEEDS CRIME It has been reported (Tele April 4) that the recent heroin drought caused a 34% increase in armed robberies due to the increased cost of the drug. It's obvious that restricting the supply of drugs (on the rare occasion when the police actually have any impact) is not a good idea as it just increases crime. In the UK, the top police officers group, the Association of Chief Police Officers, has called for the mass prescription of heroin to addicts. One of the Chief Constables said that regulation of the drugs market would be "the most effective crime prevention measure any government could take". The UK used to have heroin available on prescription until 1970 when it bowed to US pressure and made it illegal. The result - a huge increase in the number of addicts from 1000 in 1970 to more than 270,000 today and more heroin related crime than in America. Prohibition has failed - the tough approach to drugs favoured by Prime Minister John Howard has resulted only in more drug addicts, more injury and death and 34% more people being robbed at gunpoint. That's nothing to be proud of. Jim Davis - --- MAP posted-by: Beth