Pubdate: Sun, 18 Feb 2007
Source: Sunday Times - Ireland (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Times Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3930
Author: Robert Sharpe

RISING PROFITABILITY

The US drug war is a threat to  global stability. Afghanistan profits 
from the illicit  heroin trade because of drug prohibition, not in 
spite  of it. Attempts to limit the supply of drugs while  demand 
remains constant only increases the profitability of drug trafficking.

The various armed factions waging civil war in Colombia  are 
financially dependent on the US drug war. Here, the  distortion of 
immutable laws of supply and demand make  an easily grown weed like 
cannabis worth its weight in  gold. Drug prohibition finances 
organised crime at home  and terrorism abroad, which is then used to 
justify  increased drug war spending. It's time to end this  madness 
and instead treat all substance abuse, legal or  otherwise, as the 
public health problem it is.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug  Policy

Washington 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman