Pubdate: Sat, 24 May 2003
Source: Federal Way Mirror (WA)
Contact:  http://www.fedwaymirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2077
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n723/a04.html
Note: TItle by Newshawk

DRUG WAR FUELS CRIME

 From ROBERT SHARPE, program officer for Drug Policy Alliance in 
Washington, D.C.:

In reply to "Crackdown on drugs goes everywhere" (Mirror editorial, May 
14): Cracking down on the illegal drug trade is easier said than done. 
Attempts to limit the supply of drugs while demand remains constant only 
increase the profitability of drug trafficking. The obscene profits to be 
made guarantee replacement dealers. In terms of addictive drugs like 
heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to increase 
criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug war doesn't fight 
crime, it fuels crime.

With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun each 
other down in drive-by shootings, nor do consumers go blind drinking 
unregulated bathtub gin. While U.S. politicians ignore the drug war's 
historical precedent, European countries are embracing harm reduction, a 
public health alternative based on the principle that both drug abuse 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 treatment alternatives that do not require incarceration 
as a prerequisite. Unfortunately, fear of appearing soft on crime compels 
U.S. politicians to support a failed drug war that ultimately subsidizes 
organized crime.

Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.
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MAP posted-by: Beth