Pubdate: Wed, 17 Mar 2010
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: David J. Payne

HUGE COKE BUST REVEALS TRUE COST OF DRUG WAR

The scope of the large cocaine bust near Port Hardy underscores the
dilemma of successfully policing the drug trade.

Removing such a huge amount of product from the supply chain
inevitably results in price increases for the remaining product. The
consumers of cocaine are largely addicts, who must and will purchase
it any price. Their source of funds is typically theft.

It is only logical that if demand is unaffected by higher prices, the
greater the incidence of theft.

So society pays twice for these policing successes. Once for the
actual cost of policing, and again for the incremental increase in
lost possessions.

David J. Payne

Nanaimo
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