Pubdate: Fri, 09 May 2003
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Clifford Schaffer

TREATMENT THE BEST BET TO STOP DRUG ADDICTION

Katherine  Boylen's  belief that trying to cut drugs off at the source 
would be an effective  response to the drug problem is a common one 
(Thwart  drug  trade  before  it  hits  the  streets, Letters, May 7). 
Unfortunately, it is also wrong.

The Rand Corporation recently reviewed all the methods of dealing with the 
drug problem. Trying to cut drugs off at the source and stopping them at 
the border were the least cost-effective methods of control.

The most cost-effective  method  of controlling the drug problem was 
treatment.  It is certainly not perfect or a guarantee of success, but it 
is more cost-effective than law enforcement approaches by several orders of 
magnitude.

Clifford Schaffer

Director

DRCNet Online Library of Drug Policy

Agua Dulce, Calif.
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