Pubdate: Thu, 21 Aug 2008
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n795/a06.html

HOW PROHIBITION BOOSTS DRUG USE

The former chief constable Ian Oliver makes the common mistake of 
assuming that punitive drug laws actually reduce use.

UK policymakers should consider the experience of the United States. 
The results of a World Health Organisation survey in July found the 
US had the highest rates of cannabis and cocaine use of 17 countries 
surveyed, including those such as the Netherlands that have 
decriminalised drug use.

These abysmal results are not due to lack of trying. Thanks to the US 
drugs war, the land of the free now has the highest incarceration 
rate in the world. Rather than emulate the US approach, the UK should go Dutch.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, DC, USA
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom