Pubdate: Fri, 16 Feb 2007
Source: Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (OH)
Copyright: 2007 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
Contact:  http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3143
Author: Robert Sharpe

WAR ON DRUGS DOESN'T FIGHT CRIME, IT FUELS CRIME

To the Editor:

The fact that the drug war cannot keep drugs out of the Fairfield 
County Jail, much less schools, is indicative of its inherent 
failure. Drug warriors would have us believe the drug war's 
collateral damage is good reason to throw good money after bad. 
Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains 
constant only increases the profitability of drug trafficking. For 
addictive drugs like heroin, 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.

Drug prohibition finances organized 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. Thanks to 
public education efforts, tobacco use has declined considerably in 
recent years.

Apparently, mandatory minimum prison sentences, racial profiling, 
civil asset forfeiture and random drug testing are not necessarily 
the most cost-effective means of discouraging unhealthy choices. Drug 
abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

- - Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman