Pubdate: Tue, 06 Apr 2004 Source: Sanford Herald, The (NC) Copyright: The Sanford Herald 2004 Contact: http://www.sanfordherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1577 Author: Robert Sharpe 'DRUG WAR' TO BLAME FOR FUELING DRUG CRISIS Regarding the recent meeting in the Lemon Springs community, fighting drugs is easier said than done. Attempts to limit the supply of drugs while demand remains constant only increase the profitability of drug trafficking. In terms of addictive drugs like meth, 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 With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun each other down in drive-by shootings, nor do consumers go blind drinking unregulated bathtub gin.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 drug war's 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. Unfortunately, fear of appearing soft on crime compels U.S. politicians to support a failed drug war that ultimately subsidizes organized crime. ROBERT SHARPE Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh