Prof discusses war on drugs

As part of Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Week, Kenneth Sharpe discussed the topic of "Breaking the Drug War Habit" last night at Stiteler Hall. Sharpe, a professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Swarthmore College, has been researching the war on drugs since 1988. In addition to writing articles for a number of major daily newspapers, he recently co-wrote the book Drug War Politics: The Price of Denial. "What I'm going to focus on tonight is the federal government's policy on heroine and cocaine -- the failure, the flaws and the damage that the policy causes," Sharpe said. Sharpe criticized the current U.S. drug policy, which he referred to as a "war on supply," explaining that is based on the belief that a decrease in the supply of drugs will cause an increase in their price -- resulting in less usage by the population. He noted that although policy-makers believe increased spending is necessary to bring about this "war on supply," data have shown that the policy is not working. "The drug war is not succeeding in what it's supposed to do and it can't be blamed on the fact that we're not spending enough money," Sharpe said. He added that the current system is ineffective because of the increased profits arising from the higher drug prices resulting from reduced supply. The higher profits will in turn lead suppliers to increase the flow of drugs, reducing prices to a level not high enough to curtail their purchase. "Despite the overwhelming evidence of failure, why is the response continued escalation?" Sharpe asked. "What is the politics behind that?" Sharpe added that he disagrees with the federal government's "zero use" stance, adding that drug enforcement officers are putting more emphasis on arrest than on prevention and treatment. The approach Sharpe favors is one of "harm-reduction." "As a harm-reduction advocate, your first task is to reduce harm caused by drugs and not have as your only goal elimination of drug use," he said. Sharpe cited an IV needle exchange program in which drug users turn in dirty needles for new ones. In a program such as this, Sharpe explained, people may still use heroine, but the spread of AIDS is curtailed. Although drug use still occurs, harm is reduced. College junior Sharon Weinzimer, the incoming president of the Drug and Alcohol Resource Team, said she appreciated the scholarly angle Sharpe put on his speech. "Dr. Sharpe gives more of an academic perspective to the drug problem," she said. College junior Jen Wigman, DART's incoming service coordinator added that "the things that he has to say are really valuable in looking at all sides of the issue."