BACKWARD APPROACH TO CRIME

Re: Legalizing Drugs 'Absurd,' Calderon Says, Aug. 11.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, is right: calls to legalize drugs
in Mexico as a way to counter the gang violence in Mexico are absurd
because, as he says, it would only work if drugs (specifically
marijuana) were legalized either globally, or at least in the United States.

A comprehensive study released by the International Centre for
Science in Drug Policy exposes an extensive correlation between drug
law enforcement efforts and increased drug-related crime, homicide
and gun violence. It demonstrates commonalities between violence and
the illicit drug trade in relation to the impacts drug law
enforcement has, as intervention, on drug market violence.

Wayne Phillips, communication director, Educators For Sensible Drug
Policy, Hamilton, Ont.