Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX) Copyright: 2005 San Antonio Express-News Contact: http://www.mysanantonio.com/expressnews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/384 Author: Robert Sharpe, Common Sense for Drug Policy Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n135/a06.html DRUG WAR FAILS MISERABLY Re: Robert Rivard's Sunday column, "Untouchable Drug Lords Threaten Mexico's Embrace of Democracy": The threat posed by drug lords extends far beyond Mexico's borders. In the United States, the institutional corruption engendered by drug prohibition stretches from coast to coast and reaches the highest levels. The high-profile Los Angeles Police Department Rampart scandal involved anti-drug officers selling drugs and framing gang members. A former commander of U.S. anti-drug operations in Colombia was found guilty of laundering the profits of his wife's heroin-smuggling operation. Countries have been destabilized by the corrupting influence of the illegal drug trade. Like alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, the drug war is causing tremendous societal harm, while failing miserably at preventing use. 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 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, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C. - ---