Pubdate: Mon, 31 Oct 2005
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (Huntington, WV)
Copyright: 2005 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1664/a08.html

SOLVING DRUG PROBLEM EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Regarding your Oct. 25 editorial, cracking down on drug dealing is 
easier said than done.  Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs 
while demand remains constant only increase the profitability of drug 
trafficking. For addictive drugs like methamphetamine, 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With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun 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 many U.S. politicians to support a failed 
drug war that ultimately subsidizes organized crime. Drug abuse is 
bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, DC 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman