Pubdate: Thu, 08 Apr 2004
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2004 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Author: Fred Jansohn
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Kings+Cross
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

PRICING DRUGS OFF THE MARKET

Ross Gittins says the war on drugs is being won, based on the heroin 
shortage and the price "elasticity" of drugs ("Victory for the police in 
war on drugs", Herald, April 7). Evidence for this is fewer overdoses and a 
reduction in property crime.

But a few months ago statistics were released linking visits by heroin (and 
other intravenous drug) users to the medically supervised injecting room in 
Kings Cross with fewer heroin overdoses. Follow-up rehabilitation-oriented 
and counselling work with these users may also account for the drop in 
property crime.

If pricing is so determinative a factor in the demand for drugs, why not 
substantially increase the levies on alcohol and nicotine products since 
these are the most problematic and deadly of all the drugs available in our 
society, licit or illicit?

Fred Jansohn,

Rose Bay, April 7.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake