DRUG BUSTS EXACERBATE PROBLEM

Re: Drug busts send the right message (editorial, Feb. 10).

The editorial is lacking logic and intelligence. The editorial assumes that
by busting street level drug dealers, somehow property crime is going to go
down and fewer young people will have access to drugs.

Neither of these outcomes are likely.

What is likely to happen is there will be a temporary spike in the price
for illegal drugs, which will cause an increase in property crimes as
addicts will need more money to buy their drugs. Of course market forces
will quickly fill the gap, so any disruption in supply lines will be
temporary, but the cost to taxpayers to put those arrested through the
criminal justice system will go on for years.

European countries that have instituted harm reduction policies, including
providing pure low cost drugs to addicts, have had much better results in
lowering property crime and getting addicts in contact with medical and
rehabilitation services. The information and solutions are out there, but
you have to be willing to look for them and to not assume you already know
the answer.

What is it called when you do the same thing over and over and expect
different results? Insanity.

David Lane

- - Santa Cruz, Calif.