Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005
Source: Quesnel Cariboo Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Contact:  http://www.quesnelobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1260
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

CHANGE THE DRUG POLICIES

Your June 19th 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 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.

The good news is that B.C. 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.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control researchers estimate that 57 per 
cent of AIDS cases among women and 36 per cent of overall AIDS cases 
in the U.S. are linked to injection drug use or sex with partners who 
inject drugs.

This easily preventable public health crisis is a direct result of 
zero tolerance laws that restrict access to clean syringes.

Can Canada afford to emulate the harm maximization drug policies of 
the former land of the free and current record holder in citizens incarcerated?

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth