War on drugs 'driving hepatitis C pandemic' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

The global war on drugs is fuelling a hepatitis C pandemic causing millions of needless infections, the Global Commission on Drug Policy has warned.

Repressive drug law enforcement is driving high rates of infection among injecting drug users, it said.

Resources need to be redirected into treatment and prevention.
***
The group, which includes seven former presidents, ex-UN chief Kofi Annan and other world leaders, has previously linked the "failed" war on drugs with the spread of HIV.

In its latest report it says in some countries with the harshest drug policies more than 90% of people who inject drugs are living with hepatitis C.
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22705901

[Fumesucker]

1. The drug war hasn't remotely "failed", it does and has done exactly what it is supposed to do

If you believe the drug war was started with good intentions then you have to also believe that Richard Milhous Nixon cared deeply for blacks and hippies and only wanted what was best for them. Any time I hear that "failed" garbage about the drug war I know I'm listening to either a liar or a naif.

A good case could be made that the drug war is the most successful social program that has ever been instigated in the USA, millions and millions of undesirables have been kept from fully entering society, from voting, from holding office, even from having a decent job.

As the Deciderer was wont to say, Mission Accomplished.

[Heidi]

2. Hear, hear!

Wish I could recommend your post.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Well said.

[hobbit709]

5. +1000

It's exactly what they set out to do. Kill us off by one means or another.

[malaise]

6. That simple

It was well thought out - ask the owners of private prisons - the new plantation owners with free labor

[idwiyo]

7. Well said. Add to it that "war on drugs" is the reason why drug cartels even exist.

Basically "war on drugs" is directly responsible for keeping huge portion of criminal world a highly profitable enterprise.

[In_The_Wind]

8. Well said!

[madrchsod]

3. my brother in law died from complications due to hep c

i know of at least another who died from it and several others who are still living with it. my generation were the first who really got hit hard because no one really knew about hep c and sharing needles.