Pubdate: Sun, 04 Nov 2007
Source: Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
Copyright: 2007 The Morning Call Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mcall.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/275
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1244/a11.html
Author: Robert Sharpe

AMERICA'S WAR ON DRUGS FUELS CRIME

Regarding the Oct. 27 op-ed column, "Good police work aside, drug 
crime is society's choice": Bethlehem attorney Donald P. Russo is to 
be commended for speaking out against the war on drugs. Attempts to 
limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only 
increase 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. With 
alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun each 
other down in drive-by shootings, nor do consumers 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. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Arlington, VA
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