Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jul 2014
Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Peterborough Examiner
Contact: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/letters
Website: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616
Author: Robert Sharpe
Page: A4

DRUG RAIDS DON'T HELP

The Project Blackrock drug raid was no doubt well-intended, but 
ultimately counterproductive. Attempts to limit the supply of illegal 
drugs while demand remains constant only increase the profitability 
of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs like prescription narcotics, 
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.

With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor bootleggers no longer gun 
each other down in drive-by shootings, nor do consumers go blind 
drinking unregulated bathtub gin.

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 politicians to support a failed drug war 
that ultimately subsidizes crime. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe, Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington
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