DRUG WAR MAKES VIOLENCE MORE LIKELY

The drug war isn't the solution to violence in Detroit. In fact, it's part
of the problem. So-called drug-related crime in is in reality
prohibition-related. Efforts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while
demand remains constant only increases 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. Until politicians from
both parties recognize the parallels between the drug war and our
disastrous experiment with alcohol prohibition, the violence will continue.

Robert Sharpe, Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, D.C.