Pubdate: Sun, 18 Feb 2007
Source: Sunday Times (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Times Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/439
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n164/a01.html
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

RISING PROFITABILITY

The US drug war is a threat to global stability. Afghanistan profits 
from the illicit heroin trade because of drug prohibition, not in 
spite of it. Attempts to limit the supply of drugs while demand 
remains constant only increases the profitability of drug trafficking.

The various armed factions waging civil war in Colombia are 
financially dependent on the US drug war. Here, the distortion of 
immutable laws of supply and demand make an easily grown weed like 
cannabis worth its weight in gold. Drug prohibition finances 
organised crime at home and terrorism abroad, which is then used to 
justify increased drug war spending. It's time to end this madness 
and instead treat all substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the 
public health problem it is.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman