DRUG WAR FUELS CRIME

Re: "Cartel leader handed to U.S. -- Accused drug lord, 14
others secretly extradited by Mexico," Sunday news story.

Fighting Mexican drug cartels is easier said than done. Attempts to
limit the supply while demand remains constant only increases the
profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs like heroin, a
spike in U.S. 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With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun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. 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,
Washington, D.C.