Drug-crime crackdown seen as harmful

published on March 24, 2010 by Meagan Fitzpatrick in The Montreal Gazette

The Conservative government’s efforts to crack down on drug crimes may do more harm than good, a recent report suggests.

The study released yesterday from the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS concludes that stepping up the enforcement of drug laws is unlikely to reduce gang violence tied to drugs or stop the circulation of drugs in communities.

On the contrary, the report notes that gun violence and murders are likely a consequence of drug prohibition – and laws aimed at breaking up drug gangs could unintentionally increase violence…. More >>