Pubdate: Thu, 24 Oct 2002
Source: Times Leader (PA)
Copyright: 2002 The Times Leader
Contact:  http://www.leader.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/933
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1895/a03.html

WAR ON ILLEGAL DRUGS INEFFECTIVE, ONLY INCREASES PROFITABILITY OF CRIME

The King's College Public Policy and Social Research Institute couldn't 
have picked a better speaker to discuss the drug war than Judge James Gray. 
As a former federal prosecutor, Judge Gray makes a compelling case for harm 
reduction alternatives to the never-ending drug war. 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 
habits. The drug war doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime. With alcohol 
prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun each other down, nor 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 drug prohibition have the potential to 
cause harm. Examples of harm reduction include needle exchange programs to 
stop the spread of HIV, marijuana regulation, 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. Drug abuse is bad, but 
the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens