Pubdate: Sun, 03 Sep 2006 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Downtown+Eastside Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) REDUCE DEMAND FOR DRUGS Full marks to Victoria police for the biggest cocaine seizure in their history. But don't expect it to make a bit of difference in illegal drug use or crime in the city. Police suggested the seizure, worth about $600,000, could reduce the supply on the street. The best evidence suggests it will have no effect. Back in 2000 police grabbed 99 kilograms in Vancouver and 57 kilos in Toronto -- about six million doses. Police said the seizure would put a serious dent in supplies. University of British Columbia researchers, in the middle of a seven-year study tracking 1,400 drug users on the Downtown Eastside, looked at the seizures' impact on the streets and published the results in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. They had no effect. Heroin was just as available. Prices actually fell slightly. Users didn't cut back. Ten people died of overdoses in the month before the seizure; an average of 13 a month died in the three months after the seizure. Addicts committed the same crimes. Police have to pursue criminals and deserve credit for successes. But drug problems will not be solved, or even reduced, by attacking the supply side. As long as demand exists and big profits are possible, the drugs will be available. Harm reduction, treatment, education -- measures that deal with demand - -- are the only real hope. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake