LOSING THE WAR ON DRUGS

The Counter Narcotics Alliance's mega meth bust is not necessarily good
news for Tucson residents. Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs
while demand remains constant only increases the profitability of drug
trafficking. For addictive drugs such as methamphetamine, 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.

With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun each
other down in drive-by shootings, nor do consumers go blind drinking
unregulated bathtub gin. While U.S. politicians ignore the historical
precedent, European countries embrace harm reduction, a public health
alternative based on the principle that drug abuse and prohibition have the
potential to cause harm.

Examples of harm reduction include needle exchange programs to stop the
spread of HIV, marijuana regulation aimed at separating the hard and soft
drug markets, and treatment alternatives that do not require incarceration
as a prerequisite.

Unfortunately, fear of appearing "soft on crime" compels many U.S.
politicians to support a failed drug war that ultimately subsidizes
organized crime. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

- - ROBERT SHARPE, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.