Pubdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2004
Source: Trinidad Express (Trinidad)
Copyright: 2004 Trinidad Express
Contact:  http://www.trinidadexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1093
Author: Ucill Cambridge

LEGALISE NARCOTICS

All narcotics, inclusive of cocaine, should be decriminalised and legalised.

This from criminologist Prof Maureen Cain, when she spoke on the topic 
"Criminogenesis and the War Against Crime" at the UWI Centre for Gender and 
Development Studies. Her contribution was from a paper she presented at a 
workshop on Women, Crime and Globalisation, Feminist Perspectives for the 
New Millennium, in Spain last year.

Prof Cain said that in the fight against the drug trade, western nations 
have opted for a demand reduction strategy, in spite of increasingly 
persuasive evidence that organised narcotics trading generates both more 
and new forms of violence.

Legalisation, she said, would have more certain consequences like, "a 
massive drop in price and a movement out of drugs to a more lucrative 
trading opportunities by organised crime."

"Organised violence would decline and low level pushers who put pressure on 
children and young people would become redundant.

She said as it is narcotics like cocaine is a "valuable commodity".

"It makes money so guns can be bought. I cannot think of any other way to 
bring the price down. The only way is to legalise it."

With the legalisation she said the money that is presently spent on crime 
control and keeping people in prison can be redirected to other areas.

"Initially there will be an increase in use and cost, but eventually money 
will be saved on that health problem of violence. Violence is a health 
problem."

She said if decriminalised, a person needing a "treatment" can have his 
"fix" without having to steal and for those in the upper level of the trade 
it will no longer be lucrative.

Asked about the increasing violence among young people, she said it should 
not be assumed that the person is right about children becoming more 
violent. Prof Cain said before she left Trinidad she was worried since it 
was always being said that Caribbean youths were problematic.

"I was worried that by constantly being told so, they would become a problem."

Also the role of women influencing their male partners to commit crime was 
raised by a senior police officer .

He said often when there is a concert a number of unemployed women are seen 
visiting the beauty parlour getting their hair and nails done, "and they 
work nowhere."

He said it is possible that men "put down the jobs" to cater to their 
companions needs.

Responding to the question of the Gender Studies Department Dr Rhoda 
Reddock admitted that there could be a link. She said in this society men 
are viewed as economic providers and when his partner looks good, "his 
image is upheld."

She said because of polarisation there is a demand for "conspicuous 
consumption", and it's the man's duty to provide. She said for those 
reasons men who come out of prison are not encouraged to get a woman soon 
after their release.

She said unless there is a societal change where women are not viewed as 
the dependent and men the providers the situation will be the same.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom