While most people rejoice at the successful interception of the huge
drug shipment off Port Macquarie, the euphoria is largely unwarranted.
Most of the sentiments offered in "The Evil Economy" (B, October 27) -
and expressed across the media generally - are tragically misplaced.

Tragically, because they illustrate the confusion and misunderstanding
that are the hallmarks of the official and socially accepted attitude
towards the devastating social problem of drugs.

The harmful effects of drugs, illicit or legal are beyond
dispute.

The crime problem associated with illicit drugs is not caused by their
popularity but by the prohibition society insists on maintaining on
them. Those who profit from the drug trade are delighted with that
attitude, for it keeps them in business. In the meantime, even the
most successful drug busts fail to have a meaningful impact on the
overall situation.

Once common-sense prevails over bunkered ideology and prohibition is
discarded as a counterproductive weapon in the war against drugs,
society might begin to work out an effective strategy to achieve victory.

Bill Martin
VALENTINE, NSW