POLICE AGENCY IN THE NATION CAN CONTROL DRUG USE

A Sept. 30 letter condemning the Maui Police Department for its "dismal
record in handling drugs in our community" makes us suppose that the writer
is an expert on drug use and in the law. What the letter didn't say was how
the MPD is supposed to accomplish what thousands of other police
organizations across the country have not.

As long as there is a demand for drugs, there will be a steady supply. The
prohibition of alcohol proved this without question. Even if a product is
illegal, someone will take whatever risk is involved to supply it, if the
demand is great enough. This is economics 101.

The other side of the coin is the abuse issue. It is a fact that addicted
drug users are a burden on our society. Which part of the problem is
logically more addressable: drug supply, or the abuse of drugs?

We will never eliminate the supply, because the demand will always be there,
and public money spent on interdiction is simply wasted. We can, however,
treat the abuse side of the problem as a social and medical problem, rather
than a criminal one.

Lastly, our police should be able to focus solely on anti-social behavior
and criminal activity, whether or not drugs are involved. Being "under the
influence" is not a legal defense for criminal behavior. The millions of
dollars spent on Green Harvest and drug stings would be better used for
more, and better, police officers, education and rehabilitation.

Bill Harding

Makawao