US WAR ON DRUGS IS FAILED PROHIBITION

David Lassiter's Oct. 29 column was right on target. So-called drug-related
crime is invariably prohibition-related. Attempts to limit the supply of
illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the profitability
of drug trafficking. In terms of 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With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun each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 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
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

Program officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.