Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1218/a10.html

WAR ON DRUGS ONLY FUELS CRIME

Nelson Hockert-Lotz makes the common mistake of confusing drug-related
crime with prohibition-related crime in his Aug. 1 opinion piece. 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. With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor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 drug war's historical precedent, European countries are
embracing harm reduction, a public health alternative based on the
principle that both 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.

ROBERT SHARPE

Arlington, Va.

Editor's note: Mr. Sharpe is a policy analyst for the Washington-based
Common Sense for Drug Policy.