JOURNAL BLASTS U.S. DRUG POLICY

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (UPI) - The latest issue of Public Health Reports harshly
criticizes U.S. drug policy, arguing that increased U.S. drug enforcement
has fueled overdose deaths and drug-related emergencies.

In its January/February issue, the official journal of the U.S. Public
Health Service, lead article reveals how U.S. policies have led to dramatic
increases in drug-related overdose deaths and emergency room visits.

``From a public health point of view, drug prohibition is a disaster,''
said Dr. Ernest Drucker, a professor of epidemiology and social medicine at
Montefiore Medical Center in New York and author of the study.

``While our government officials claim success in reducing drug use,
drug-related deaths and diseases have increased sharply. That's the best
measure of the impact of our drug policies - and they are failing, ''
Drucker said.

Drucker explained that while whites, Hispanics and African Americans use
drugs at the same rates, African Americans are far more likely to be
arrested for drug-related offenses and to suffer a higher rate of
emergencies and overdose deaths.

``Perhaps the publishing of this article signifies a greater willingness by
the public health establishment to challenge American drug war
strategies,'' said Ethan Nadelmann, founder and director of the Lindesmith
Center.

The study also showed annual state and federal drug enforcement expenses
are estimated at more than $40 billion, compared with less than $8 billion
for all treatment, research and prevention in the U.S. from all government
and private sources.

According to the report from 1978 to 1994, drug-related emergency room
visits rose by 60 percent, from 323,100 annually to 518,500, and overdoses
increased by 400 percent, from 2500 to 10,000.

The report also noted the average purity of street heroin increased
dramatically between 1981 and 1996, from 6.7 percent to 41.5 percent and
from 1981 to 1996, the average price per gram of cocaine fell by 66
percent.