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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2000, 02, 1 (pages: 23 - 31)

The Pacific Drug Policy Institute and research findings that led to its founding

Smart D. C.

Summary: The failure of currently employed drug control measures is caused by what I call the “drug/crime subsidy”. Because the drug/crime subsidy is caused by our government's $17 billion investment (per annum) in drug control measures. Apologists for the war on drugs argue that the illegal drug could be controlled, if we would just enforce the drug laws. As well as being the primary victims of the drug/crime epidemic, drug users are also major carriers in the contagions of drug use and addiction. Experts estimate that addicts consume 80% of illegal drugs. An estimated 20% of illegal drugs is consumed by recreational or casual drug users. We could eliminate 20% of the drug/crime subsidy by serving the drug-related needs of these users