REDUCE DEMAND FOR DRUGS

Full marks to Victoria police for the biggest cocaine seizure in their
history. But don't expect it to make a bit of difference in illegal
drug use or crime in the city.

Police suggested the seizure, worth about $600,000, could reduce the
supply on the street.

The best evidence suggests it will have no effect. Back in 2000 police
grabbed 99 kilograms in Vancouver and 57 kilos in Toronto -- about six
million doses. Police said the seizure would put a serious dent in
supplies.

University of British Columbia researchers, in the middle of a
seven-year study tracking 1,400 drug users on the Downtown Eastside,
looked at the seizures' impact on the streets and published the
results in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

They had no effect. Heroin was just as available. Prices actually fell
slightly. Users didn't cut back. Ten people died of overdoses in the
month before the seizure; an average of 13 a month died in the three
months after the seizure. Addicts committed the same crimes.

Police have to pursue criminals and deserve credit for
successes.

But drug problems will not be solved, or even reduced, by attacking
the supply side. As long as demand exists and big profits are
possible, the drugs will be available.

Harm reduction, treatment, education -- measures that deal with demand
- -- are the only real hope.