PROHIBITION MAKES DRUG USE A THREAT

Letter to the Editor

Regarding the "umbrage" Chris Buors takes at Robert Sharpe's assertion that
harm-reduction efforts aimed at individual drug users will advance public
health (Letters, July 10): there's no dichotomy between what's good for
drug users and what's good for the community at large.

Mr. Buors's serene description of "one's neighbour sitting at home
over-indulging" in drugs is wrong. Prohibition has made drug use a direct,
costly threat to every citizen.

Eliminating prohibition will benefit all of our neighbours and ourselves -
regardless of whether they (or we) do or don't use drugs.

Robert Newman, MD

Director

Edmond de Rothschild Foundation Chemical Dependency Institute

New York