Pubdate: Fri, 13 Aug 1999 Date: 08/13/1999 Source: Belfast Telegraph (UK) Author: Robert Shiller Dear Editor, The dangers of drug use and abuse are compounded (some created) by the drug laws rather than the drugs themselves. If addicts could get their drugs from a medical practicioner who is specially trained in treating drug abusers, it would cut down the deaths from overdose, impurities and poisons that are routinely used to increase the drug sellers' profits. If we look at the history of drug prohibition, we will see an increase in deaths associated with drugs, violence over the huge profits that are directly related to the drug laws, as well as increases in the number of drug users and the severity of the drugs they use. In alcohol prohibition people who drank beer found it was easier (and often cheaper) to buy hard liquor instead. In drug prohibition people who used to use or would choose to use opium, a natural plant and not nearly as potent as heroin. Heroin is small and relatively easy to hide. Opium is bulky and difficult to hid. The penalties for opium and heroin are basically the same so the drug dealers choose the more profitable and easier to secret heroin while the less dangerous opium disappears from the marketplace. The drug wars are counterproductive. They cause more harm than the drugs they claim to eliminate. Yours truly, Robert Shiller