Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jul 2011
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2011 The Detroit News
Contact: http://detnews.com/article/99999999/INFO/71011004
Website: http://detnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author:  Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n382/a12.html

RESULTS IGNORED IN 'DRUG WAR'

Regarding Gary Wolfam's thoughtful column, "Drug prohibition has 
failed too," (June 10), it's important to remember that even with 
attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs, demand remains 
constant and only increases the profitability of drug trafficking. 
For addictive drugs like heroin, 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.

When alcohol prohibition was repealed, liquor bootleggers stopped 
gunning each other down in drive-by shootings, and consumers no 
longer 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.

Robert Sharpe, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom