Pubdate: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) Copyright: 2006 The Herald-Sun Contact: http://www.herald-sun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428 Author: Robert Sharpe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) DRUGS CAUSE CORRUPTION The case of the Durham Sheriff's deputy charged with cocaine trafficking is not an isolated incident. The institutional corruption engendered by the drug war 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. Entire 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 Arlington, Va. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman