Pubdate: Wed, 07 Mar 2007
Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n259/a05.html?322990

WAR ON DRUGS FUELS CRIME

Re "Crime rate up; What it all means" (Editorial, Feb. 28) -

Your editorial made the common mistake of confusing drug-related 
crime with prohibition-related crime. Attempts to limit the supply of 
illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the 
profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs like crack 
cocaine, 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.

The good news is that Canada has already adopted many of the common 
sense harm reduction interventions first pioneered in Europe. The bad 
news is that Canada's southern neighbor continues to use its 
superpower status to export a dangerous moral crusade around the 
globe. The United States provides tragic examples of anti-drug 
strategies that are best avoided.

ROBERT SHARPE Policy analyst
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom