PROHIBITION FUELS CRIME, NOT DRUGS

To the Editor,

Re: Most criminal activity starts with drug issues, Dec. 5.

Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O'Brien makes the common mistake of confusing
prohibition-related crime with drug-related crime.

Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains
constant only increase the profitability of drug trafficking. For
addictive drugs like heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate
addicts to increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits.

The drug war doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime. Look no further than
Canada's southern neighbour for tragic examples of anti-drug policies that
are best avoided.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control researchers estimate that 57 per cent of
AIDS cases among women and 36 per cent of overall AIDS cases in the U.S.
are linked to injection drug use or sex with partners who inject drugs.

This preventable public health crisis is a direct result of zero tolerance
laws that restrict access to clean syringes.

Can Canada afford to emulate the harm-maximization approach of the former
land of the free and current record holder in citizens incarcerated?

Robert Sharpe

Washington, D.C.